Topps Cards That Should Have Been: 2021 Hall of Fame Class Edition

 

I'll let this be the official announcement- I'm not doing a HOF ballot post this year. There's no use making one if the ballot is this bare, and if nobody I'm gonna vote for is gonna get in cause the only people charting over 70% right now are Bonds, Clemens and Schilling. So I'm just not gonna do a whole post. 2022, sure, there'll be more to vote for then. Not now.

So instead, I found some Cards That Should Have Been for a few members of the ballot. Perhaps the biggest one is this 2012 Topps issue of Omar Vizquel which they really should have done. Vizquel's last season was in 2012, he was capping off a legendary career, and Topps just wasn't there for it at all. In a bench utility role for Toronto, he hit .235 with 36 hits, and was still charting positive defensive WAR numbers at 45 years old. Topps would do an insert of Vizquel as a Blue Jay a bit later, but not a base card. Hence this. I hope Vizquel gets in someday.

The rest of these are guys who are on the ballot this year, and will probably leave the ballot this year.

2015 was the final year for Barry Zito, the former Oakland Cy Young winner and...future Nashville musician. Zito, when he wasn't learning some country chords, was drumming up a comeback in 2015 playing for Nashville's AAA team. It didn't get him particularly far, but he did get one last run as an Athletic at the end of that season, as a show of posterity. In 3 games, he had a 10.29 ERA with only 2 strikeouts, but he still ended his career in the same city where he came to prominence, and it was a solid way of leaving things.

Shane Victorino is the only case in this post of a player whose final undocumented year was a botched Spring Training stint. Topps did him well his whole post-Phils career, and he was pictured as an Angel in 2015 Topps Update, which capped his career. However, in 2016, the Flyin' Hawaiian signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. While Victorino didn't make the team, and with the talent they had that year it wouldn't have happened, he did play 9 games with Iowa, and hit .233. So he ended with some semblance of dignity as well.

Nick Swisher did get a final tribute issue from Topps in 2016, but because his trade to Atlanta from Cleveland came south of the trade deadline deal in 2015, Topps didn't have time to put him or Michael Bourn in Update. While Swisher was responsible for one nice walk-off moment with the Braves, he was elsewhere saddled with a .195 average and 23 hits in 46 games. Ouch.

The 2021 HOF ballot member with the most Topps omissions is, of course, the career reliever. LaTroy Hawkins played nearly everywhere, and while Topps had his number for the first 11 seasons of his career, things trailed off after 2005. Like Salomon Torres, it may have to do with landing in a weak market in 2006, like the Baltimore Orioles. Hawkins had a 4.48 ERA in 60 games, which was a bit more buoyant than necessary, but he still kept on. 

The big 'are you seeing this' year for Hawkins as far as Topps is concerned is 2007. With the Colorado Rockies, they of the longer carries, Hawkins came up with a 3.42 ERA in 62 games. And then, the following year, Topps and the Yankees come calling and he's good for a bit.

In 2012, things got away from Topps again- Hawkins spent the year with the Anaheim Angels, chilling with Pujols and Trout and riding their spotlight for a bit. A 3.64 ERA in 48 innings wasn't bad, but it was less populated than previous games.

And finally, Topps also missed Hawkins' stint with the 2013 New York Mets, where he had a wonderful 2.93 ERA in 72 games with 55 games and 13 saves. A tour de force comeback that put him back on Colorado's radar, and led to Topps not forgetting about him again. Hawkins probably won't make the HOF, but at least he was responsible for some fantastic seasons in relief for several teams.

Those are my 2021 HOF ballot customs. I'm expected disappointment when Schilling or some steroids guy gets in. 

Spring Training Custom of the Day: Zito Edition

Bet y'all never thought you'd see this again.

And for everyone who thought 'yeah, Barry Zito's gonna come back to Oakland', well I bet you thought it would be under better circumstances.

True, Barry Zito had some really nice years with the A's and Giants, but his 2013 season left a lot to be desired, and he spent all of 2014 as a free agent, in semi-retirement. However, prior to Spring Training, the A's, ONCE AGAIN SHORT ON PITCHING (this seems to be a theme this decade. Thanks Jarrod Parker.) picked up Zito on a one-year deal. They knew the risk, and they also knew how happy the fans would be to see their hero in an A's uniform once more.

Only problem is nobody's quite sure if Zito's going to be as strong as he was in, say 2002, or even 2012. He wasn't as consistent in his Giants years as he was with the A's, and his last season was a disappointment. The A's are hoping Zito can do well, though they're waiting it out to see if his Spring Training numbers will be any good, and so far they aren't too bad.

i kind of hope Zito will be able to pitch this year, just as a potential send-off for a great pitcher.

Coming Tonight (?)- Last year this guy had a monster season with Baltimore. Now he's in Seattle, hoping for another huge year.

Custom Card of the Day: Zito Edition



Remember five years ago, when it was a really big deal when Barry Zito hopped across the bay to join the Giants? How the media cared about him because he was the next big thing back then?

Whatever happened to that?

I know Zito has had some generally okay seasons since landing in San Fran, but where did the Barry Zito of 2002 go, the one that had all that potential? It's not like he has no potential now. He's a good pitcher, a good third man. But that's the problem- the Giants picked up Zito with the intention he'd be the #1 starter for five years, and after Lincecum and Cain got good, he was bumped to third. An even bigger slap in the face would be if they give the third spot to Madison Baumgarner.

I think Barry Zito is a pretty good pitcher that deserves a bit more respect.

Coming Tomorrow- In 2009 he was so promising for my Yanks. Then 2010 and 2011 came. Thankfully, he's stinking it up with a stinkier team now.

Year by Year Customs: 1981

I couldn't believe that I had yet to make a Flyin' Hawaiian when I started on these. So, naturally, I whipped up a nice one. Along with some other heroes of this year.

Tomorrow: Another guy I couldn't believe I hadn't customized...and it's a Yankee! Also, 1982 customs.

Friday Night Giants Game- Photos

I'm the kind of guy who will travel the country, go through plane rides, car rides, train rides, any transportation, any weather, any time...just for a good baseball game. So my family hopped on a plane to Frisco on vacation to California, and we picked 2 games- a Giants game and a Dodgers game. This post will document my Friday night Giants game.

Dave Righetti, former Yankee and Giant, is the pitching coach. Rags is a bit of a legend down in the Bronx, so I had to snap a shot of him talking to tonight's starting pitcher.

Speaking of starting pitcher, there he is. Former Oakland Prospect Barry Zito started on the mound that night against the New York Mets.

Our seats were very close to the Giants bullpen, so whenever a Giants pitcher warmed up, we'd be the first to know.

That night was very special for Giants fans. Legendary broadcaster Jonny Miller will be inducted into the Baseball Hallof Fame soon, so the Giants gave a ceremony on his behalf. This included...

Miller's emblem and name being retired by the Giants association, and...

Everyone being given a free Miller pin.

Standing in Left Field was a Philadelphia favorite, Pat The Bat Burrell. We attempted, on many occasions, trying to get him to throw us a practice ball, by yelling "HEY PAT! WE'RE FROM PHILLY!" I don't think the other Philly fans have liked it when Burrell comes to visit. Thome...they scream and cheer and clap. But a Philly legend like Pat? BOOOOOO!

Another shot of Pat the Bat,

Barry Zito in action. That night, he pitched a two hitter, slowing down the Mets' offense and letting not much go by.

The Mets' left fielder, former Boston Red Sock Jason Bay, would've been better if he were wearing a Yankee uniform like we planned it, Cashman!

Just a Friendly reminde of who was playing.

Of course, after Zito got the batters slowed down toward the 8th inning, there was only one man to turn to...

WIIILLLLLLSSOOOOOOONNNNN!!!! Seriously, that's what the Giants fans yelled. I'll have you know that I ate at a Bubba Gump earlie that day, and to go from "Run Forrest Run" to "WILLLLLSSOOOON!" is quite a change. But man, Wilson is something. He gave up a hit, but he still fanned down three New York batters.

Overall, it was a nice game. Of course, last night was the Dodgers game, but I have so many photos from that one that it deserves its own post.