Uncustomed Heroes of 2018: Dodgers

Wanna know how good the Dodgers were this year?

Rich Hill had a 3.60 ERA, 150 strikeouts, and a 11-5 record...and I only JUST NOW got to making a custom of him, because he kept getting usurped by more urgent subjects throughout the year.

...There were people on the Dodgers more urgent...than a guy with an 11-5 record and 150 strikeouts.

Even though they lost the World Series again, the Dodgers were still a fantastic story, going from a disappointment in third to owning the leagues in September. Rich Hill, who sadly has become a bit more normalized after breaking back into the majors 8 years after we'd counted him out, had a great season as third man, even if his usual injuries midseason lessened his power.

Same with Alex Wood, who, after an impressive 2017, slumped to slightly lower numbers, with only 135 strikeouts, and a 9-8 record. Wood, to his credit, was one of the few pitchers who mostly avoided the mid-May injury spree. He missed a FEW starts, but mostly stayed a useful arm. By the season's end, he was sadly optioned to the bullpen, but I doubt he'll stay there for long.

 While not necessarily at starter caliber yet, Enrique Hernandez is a dangerous bench bat who went to work this postseason, getting back to his usual low-average high-power stuff.

 Kenta Maeda, seen here in a really cool shot, went the route I thought Hyun-Jin Ryu would go...he pitched moderately as a started, then was moved to the bullpen post-overflow. He's still a great arm, but he's down a ways from his epic 2016 debut.

 Pedro Baez is still a fantastic bullpen arm during the regular season, despite his dominance sliding a bit once the postseason begins.

And...yeah, this happened this year.

Chase Utley, one of the heroes of my youth, one of the icons of Philadelphia sports of my generation, announced his retirement, and said goodbye during his series in Philly. He's definitely got a HOF case, and he's definitely a legend in Philly, so I couldn't help but memorialize him with a dramatic, dynamic custom. You'll be missed, Chut.

Coming Tomorrow- Proof that signing a bunch of 30-year olds pre-season doesn't amount to a ring.

29 Years Later...

For a team that's been in the conversation a TON in the last 30 years, it's honestly kind of weird that it took them that amount of time to get back to a World Series. Plus, this is a new kind of Dodgers team, steeped in youth, rather than established dynasties. There is a Hershiser-esque figure in the rotation, and there are similar pillars of postseason success (Utley is the new Kirk Gibson?), but this is still a ferocious Dodgers team, one that EARNED its spot in the World Series, even after a September drought.

Whoever's gonna have to play them next week...goooood luck.

As for the departed...

It's sad that the Cubs couldn't muster any of their 2016 energy in this series, but for a team that was counted out for simply not being as good as last year, they came a long way, got to another NLCS against the odds, and hustled when they could have coasted. They put in effort in a year where they didn't have to, and that may help them fare better in 2018. I also hope this means Kyle Schwarber is gonna get back to hitting for average one of these days.

Tomorrow night, in Houston...hopefully we get to find out who the Dodgers are gonna be playing.

Spring Training Custom of the Day: Utley Edition

You see...THIS is the proper way to avoid injuring someone who is sliding into second base.

I actually think this card is perfect, because it makes me think of what would happen if Andrus did the same thing Utley did last year. What if he gave his nuts a haymaker or something, or just flat out tackled him? No, he's doing the proper, 'duck and cover' formation, mostly because Chut probably just tagged him out.

Actually, come to think of it, if he WAS out, he'd still be pretty angry, so he could, theoretically, still do a Chutley move towards Chutley. It wouldn't necessarily be out of bounds. Contextually, people would get it.

Right, right, away from the 'Chase Utley hurting Wilmer Flores while sliding' jokes.

Utley is fighting for a spot in a very crowded Dodgers roster. The infield is probably going to include Adrian Gonzalez, Corey Seager and Justin Turner, which already is slightly imperfect, as not everybody's on the same page. You've got a big hitter, a young kid who's mostly a defensive player, and a guy who isn't especially known for either. Needless to say, it's scattered.

Howie Kendrick is probably going to start at 2nd, making Chut either a backup or the main option if Kendrick lands on the DL again. Chase is running out of healthy, consistent time at 2nd, regardless of the nice season he had in 2014. He's slowing down big time, and I won't be surprised if he doesn't exactly impress this spring, or if they bring in a rookie in May to render him obsolete. Basically, people are watching Chase Utley for what he was, not what he is.

And to reiterate, they're watching for the awesome, Philly star Chase, not the vengeful piledriver from last October.

Coming Tomorrow- Last custom I have on the workbench before I need to make more. First one that isn't wearing a new-ish uniform. The guy who's going to have to fight to stay relevant in the NL Central.

Just Looks Unnatural

I mean, I thought seeing Jimmy Rollins as a Dodger was bad.

This...this is freaky. This just shouldn't be. I hope that, in some way, he winds up with the Phillies sometime soon. Because seeing him in blue is just the wrong kind of weird.

Not a ton of time for thoughtful posts today. Just...the picture says it all.

Fitting, I guess.

I remember, in 2012, I went to Chase Utley's first game after being on the DL for most of the season. He got up to a standing ovation and had a monster hit that redeemed him from all those games with Freddy Galvis at second.

And now, tonight, I'll be at the first Phillies game after Chase Utley's departure for Los Angeles. It all sort of fits, in a way.

I mean, of course I'm gonna miss Utley. I'm gonna miss him more than I miss Rollins. He was a perfect fit for the Phillies for all of those twelve seasons he was here. And it's gonna suck seeing somebody like Cesar Hernandez playing second for the Phils.

I guess we'll just have to move on. And so, sadly, will the Phillies.

Custom Card of the Nighy: Chutley Edition

Sometimes I forget how lucky I am. This season, I'm experiencing the Yankees without Derek Jeter. But, for as far back as I can remember, I can barely recall a Philadelphia Phillies team without Chase Utley. I mean, Polanco was juuuust finishing up at 2nd when I got into baseball. So...still.

Chase Utley has had one or two injury-plagued seasons, but every other year he's been wonderful, and is still getting All Star nods, even as he rounds the last leg of his career. I'm really glad that he's stuck around, because Ryan Howard is not the star he was, and Jimmy Rollins is in LA now, so at least Utley can still be the ever-present star player that he was.

It's a little tougher this season, because this is a depleted Phillies squad, employing former household names like Grady Sizemore and Jeff Francouer, and relying on only a few bats. It's not looking like a clinch is gonna happen this season, but on the plus side there are individual performances to look forward to, like Ben Revere, Cole Hamels, and yeah, even Chase Utley.

Even though people won't be watching Phillies games for the promise, maybe they'll watch it for Chase Utley.

Coming Tomorrow- This guy was a former #1 pick who everyone thought was a bust...until he finally made his way up the system...this year.

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Phillies

 Another year, another underwhelming season in Philly. Even with a surging Eagles squad, the Phils were a little outdone this year. Chase Utley had a not-so-great season, putting away the surefire HOF talk that hounded him back in 2010. I think he's done having monster seasons, too. Sadly.

 Jimmy Rollins is never one to have absolutely amazing seasons, and it's nice when he wins an MVP every once and a while. This season we were glad to have him back, but he didn't perform to his usual caliber. Thankfully, neither did anyone else.

With Halladay gone indefinitely, this guy is likely to become the hot arm of the Phillies' rotation in 2012. Just watch it happen.

Coming Tomorrow- The Pirates were amazing this season. A few members of that team.

Year by Year Customs: 1965

 

 I love this set. It's one of the more classic sets of the vintage era. The only problem is that it's a pain in the ass to customize. D'you see that watermark running like a crease through the pennant? That's why. It's so frustrating. One time, I tried to get rid of it, but it turned out sloppy. 

Oh well. At least you get a nice shot of Chutley, reacting to a nearby explosion.

 

This looks so much like Upper Deck's O-Pee-Chee set from a few years ago. With the border and everything. Please don't sue.

 

Coming Tomorrow-A slightly less awesome set, featuring an ex-Phillie, two ex-prospects, and a World Series champion.

Gained and Lost

 

 First Chase Utley came back strong, with a homer on the first pitch back from an injury.

 

Then, two days after I commented of the strength of the Yankees' pitching staff, Sabathia and Pettite go on the DL. This is exactly the opposite of what we needed. I really hope we can rebound.

Year by Year Customs: 1978

Sick Day #2. The custom above is currently hanging above my wall, if my blurry logo can't show you (have no idea what the deal is with that). I made this one a while ago, for the postseason. Look how that turned out. Still, him and 3 others make up the customs today.

Now taking Casey McGeehee's spot on the Brewers.

Coming Tomorrow- A decent set, with some cards I need to churn out today.

And the playoffs keep on rollin...

Bam! Right past Jay Bruce, and right past home plate, the Phils win Game #2.


And with a homer from Rick Ankiel, and some pretty good baserunning by this guy, the Braves steamrolled over San Francisco to tie the series.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm lovin' this October.

Playoffs, Night 2

Knock those Twins down


Show those Reds how we do it down here.

Turnpike Series Game one

Awesome


Awesomer

Tomorrow Night- The Yanks fight back...I hope

Custom Card of the Day

I actually had a lot of fun making this one. I had to find a separate studio shot to get Chutley onto. It was tough to doctor Joe Morgan out of a card, but I still came up with this one. And truth be told, I love it. I'm pulling out my old 70's and 80's cards I don't need so I can give you guys more. I might have a poll in a couple of days if you like these or not.

Also, this is where the smile fades from my face. I recently found out that Michael Vick, most likely one of the meanest people around dogs since the invention of the seeing eye dog, has been (unwillingly, I hope) shipped to Philadelphia. I hated this news. We love Donnie McNabb down here. Why would some bad-mouthing Falcon be the one to replace him?

This morning, I looked out my window and it kinda looked like what Will Smith saw in I Am Legend. The entire town was just as pissed. Most of my buddies are Eagles fans, and they hate this news. I have to hand it to Dan from House of Cards for just reporting it, if he hasn't done so already (How is he on the Sports Card Blogroll again?). He's a Bucs fan. In New Jersey. I'm crying just thinking about it.

So to the GM of the Eagles- Thank you for ruining my season. Now that Farve's retired, I have no one to root for this season. I don't root for the Packers (HEY! Don't take this the wrong way! I root because of Favre!) or the Jets, I sure as HELL won't root for the Eagles now. Who do I root for, then? I root for Roger Goodell to end this monstrosity!

I'm Jordan and I approve this message.