Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Dodgers (Part One)

So the 2019 Dodgers came a bit short of expectations.

I mean, with how indestructible they were looking in June, it was hard to think of them doing anything but winning the World Series, especially with Bellinger, Ryu and Muncy having landmark years. Bellinger even wound up with an MVP, which I'm perfectly fine with.

I had to split the Dodgers post in half, so tomorrow morning you're getting the pitchers. Here are some hitters.

 AJ Pollock coming to LA was one of the bigger moves of the offseason, as Pollock, when healthy, had provided offensive pep to the Diamondbacks teams of the decade. Despite his season being shortened to 86 games (due to, you guessed it, injury), Pollock still hit .266 with 15 homers.
Why Him in 2019?: Fulfilled a contract by being an integral part of the Dodgers team when he was healthy.
2020 Prediction: For the love of God, consistent numbers and health.

 The more consistent unsung hero of this era of Dodger baseball has been Enrique 'Kiké, but please remember that tilde!' Hernandez. Hernandez has never been known for high averages, but he did end up with 67 RBIs this year, a career high, and a .429 postseason average with 3 RBIs and a home run.
Why Him in 2019?: Still the perennial starting second baseman in a team that could, at any point, sign a flashier name to do his job a little better.
2020 Prediction: Down numbers may lead to him losing playing time to either Chris Taylor or an acquisition.

 Despite being the 2nd-most-popular Will Smith in the NL, Will Smith of the Dodgers had a strong rookie season, going from 4th-string backup catcher to Austin Barnes all the way to the starter by the postseason. Smith has the bat that has evaded Barnesy, hitting 15 home runs and 42 RBIs in 54 games.
Why Him in 2019?: Got his first postseason hit this year as a rookie starting catcher. What a world.
2020 Prediction: 1st-string starter from Opening Day, gives Posey and Contreras a run for their money for ASG spot.

 Though his value has decreased since the rise of Max Muncy, Chris Taylor is still an impressive swing-man in LA, notching a 2.4 WAR, and getting 54 RBIs and 12 home runs.
Why Him in 2019?: Led the Dodgers in triples.

 The other, non-catcher bench rookie that got some nice pub this year was Matt Beaty, a 1B-OF guy who was pretty great off the bench, with 46 RBIs, and having a .310 average with 2 outs and RISP.
Why Him in 2019?: Backed up Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Joc Pederson without seeming like a scab fill-in.
2020 Prediction: Will start some crucial games in the wake of injuries, and be a huge part of the Dodgers' postseason roster.

 This year we said goodbye to David Freese, former postseason hero for St. Louis. I hated him for awhile, then he joined teams I enjoy, the Dodgers being one of them. Freese was great off the bench in LA, hitting .315 in 79 appearances, and hitting 29 RBIs and 11 home runs. Not bad for a guy walking off into the sunset.
Why Him in 2019?: Retired with dignity, rather than with the Cardinals.

The biggest sign of strong times to come was the call-up of Gavin Lux, second base prospect extraordinaire, to cover some games for Kiké Hernandez. Lux gave a modest preview of things to come, batting .240 with 9 RBIs in 23 games, and getting his first postseason homer against the World Champions.
Why Him in 2019?: Everyone'd been waiting for him to get to the majors, and this was his opening statement.
2020 Prediction: Might kick Kiké Hernandez out of town. Might take a bit longer to find a groove, but he'll definitely perform in October.

Coming Tomorrow Morning; Dodgers pitchers.

NLCS Update: Down to the Wire Edition

Just like that, with one game left to be played in Milwaukee, we've got a fight on our hands.

The Brewers' offense came alive last night, knocking Hyun-Jin Ryu back for several runs, and exposing the holes in the Dodgers' bullpen, as well as cementing the status of their insanely strong bullpen. Great nights were had by Erik Kratz, Mike Moustakas and Jesus Aguilar, and Corey Knebel stayed on to add another great night to his killer postseason.

...and THIS GUY was responsible for both of Los Angeles' runs last night. Which just proves that David Freese's year just starts in October every year.

Tonight is for all the marbles. Jhoulys Chacin vs. Walker Buehler. Winner plays the Red Sox in the World Series, loser goes home to think about what they've done. The Dodgers may have more of a chance against the Sox, but the Brewers would be the more fun choice.

Playoffs Day 5: Finalization and Infuriation

So...I predicted that the Astros would take down the Indians this week, but I wasn't exactly expecting a rout. And I certainly didn't think it'd be a three-game sweep where the Indians would only be held to a couple runs. It honestly just proves the dangerousness of this Astros team, who, even with some lineup shuffling and with Dallas Keuchel starting, still managed to pull away. They're getting home field advantage, and waiting for an ALCS matchup with whoever wins the AL East battle.

I do feel bad for this guy, and this Indians team, as they've gotten so close to winning a World Series as of late, and have had shitty mistakes keep them from greatness. It's sad to see them get so close only for them to break hearts, but I do think they'll still be around to chase a pennant next year, and I do still think that core of the lineup, and that rotation, still has a ton of promise.

...Now, normally when this guy appears in the postseason, I get very frightened, maybe take out a little wooden cross or something. But now that David Freese is playing for a team that isn't the Cardinals, and that he's doing pretty well, he's beginning to grow on me. It also helps that this Dodgers team has been so consistently sharp this postseason, nudging the Braves out even after their Game 3. I'll be looking forward to how they match up against Milwaukee in the NLCS.

Meanwhile, these guys had an unlucky go at the playoffs yet again, despite some fantastic regular season work from all parts. I honestly don't think they're out of it yet, and that they really just needed to solidify some things in order to become a truly great team. They may be back, which...may be infuriating for Philly fans.

Meanwhile...since I don't have a Holt made up, I'll post Nunez, but...dear god, that game was depressing to watch. They just kept hammering at the poor Yankee pitching staff. It just got worse and worse, and they just kept finding holes in the Yankee defense. I turned it off at about the 6th inning. There's no doubt that this is a terrific team (now), but I just wish the Yankees put up a bit more of a fight against them tonight. The first two games were kinda close, and I miss that.

We've got a game tonight at home. I really, really hope this one goes well. It's our last chance to prove that we belong in the postseason, and I'd really like to prove something positive.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2017: Pirates

In an era where the Cubs are strong, the Brewers are building, and the Cardinals are desperate to compete, there's really not a place for the Pirates in the grand scheme of things.

Dn't get me wrong, they're not at 2008 levels of effeteness, but 2017 was another step in the opposite direction, as a lot of the young stars they were banking on either slumped or got caught with steroids (...Starling...).

Gregory Polanco had a down season, marred with injuries and pressure once Marte left.

Jameson Taillon, despite some bad starts, seems to have a good hold on his mechanics, and could have a great season on the way, whether or not the Bucs hold onto Gerrit Cole.

David Freese, who was formerly one of my least favorite players, has become a pretty decent utility infielder in Pittsburgh, not being relied on to start as much, but giving veteran expertise and knowhow to a younger team, and coming in the clutch with some nice hits when he can.

Chad Kuhl, the other decent pitching rookie from 2016, had a decent enough sophomore season, having a nice record and strikeouts, but it doesn't mean much if the team's not effective at the plate.

Coming Tonight: A team that didn't seem to mind that they lacked a majority of the momentum that made them unbeatable last year.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2016: Pirates

The Pirates did not have a bad season...they just didn't show up when they needed to.

This was a nice team, one that didn't deserve to get a bit broken up in July, and the bats were a bit more potent than they'd been in a while, thanks to some bench players that made it big, such as John Jaso, coming up in a big way this year.

Hopefully they'll be able to compete in 2017, though the Cardinals' acquisition of Dexter Fowler will make this difficult.

Francisco Cervelli's 2016 season wasn't full, or as good as his 2015, but he's still a prime member of the team, and he still has a ton of promise, as a backstop and as a hitter.

David Freese used to be my ultimate least-favorite player, for just having this air of awfulness around him after the 2011 World Series. Now? I can take him or leave him, though I'd prefer not to. He had a decent season off the bench, and did better offensively than he did for Anaheim.

Chad Kuhl was one of the many rookie pitching call-ups the Pirates made, after it was becoming clear that their best arms would be lost to either trades or injuries. He did a nice job, and will likely be a bit better next year.

Sean Rodriguez, yet another bench player that got a ton of hits, did a pretty nice job, and will likely get a starting gig in Atlanta next year.

Coming Tomorrow- The Rangers had some amazing momentum over the course of the season, so here are a few of the guys worth thanking.

Custom Card of the Night: Oh, just go away already Edition

JESUS FREESE, I THOUGHT I WAS DONE HATING YOU!!!

I believe we've gone in great detail about my hatred for David Freese on the blog. I think it was Freese's big hit in the 2011 World Series that sealed the deal for me, and the fact that he kept batting exceptionally well against teams I thoroughly enjoyed (like the 2011 Phillies, for example). And he just kept being really good for the Cardinals. Like, even when he was injured for a little bit, he came back and started hitting.

And I just wanted him to just stop, maybe get hit by a tank or something (close enough), and just have a down season or two. I didn't realize that was as simple as just trading him to the Angels. For the most part, in 2014, Freese was ineffective, and didn't make that much of an impact to the team's playoff run (Trout had it covered).

And I was content with that, and the fact that he was done being a big hitting star, and he was done infuriating me.

And then...and then...and gentlemen and then...

2015 comes along, and David Freese decides to become really good again. He's had a really nice start, hitting really well and bashing a few home runs to help with LA's modest start. And I'm already going 'aw, no...not again.' I guess I hate him slightly less, because he's not on the Cardinals anymore, but it's sort of like the Cody Ross kind of hatred- just because he moves a little doesn't mean the memories have been vanquished.

I mean, I guess I'll see how the rest of his season turns out, and see if it actually makes sense to still hate him after it's over.

Coming Tomorrow- I've been talking about Cardinals a lot lately. Here's their main attraction.

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Angels (Part One)

So, if there are any fans of the blog that I haven't lost after my no-post November, they'll remember that every December I commemorate the best stars of baseball that I haven't customized during the season. I used to organize the customs by year, but since that got to frenzied with the addition of non-Topps designs, I do it by team now. But darn it, there got to be too many customs for a lot of teams, so for the guys that have a lot going on, I'll split the post into two.

Also, for the players this year that have made a definite impact on the game, due to their 2014 season,  there may be some second-customs for a lot of people. Like, I already made one during the season, but they were so great this year that I wanted to make another.

So Matt Shoemaker had a terrific rookie season, becoming one of the standouts of the team by August, and pitching into the postseason, as well as rocking some incredible facial hair.

David Freese's first season as an Angel was not as productive as a lot of Angels fans would have preferred. Freese was injured for a little bit, and when he was active, he didn't contribute too much outside of a few hits here and there.

Kole Calhoun was the resident utility outfielder, who came in halfway through the season and became the team's regular right fielder over time, which was nice, even if he didn't match the star power of the guys in center and left. He had a modest season for a guy trying to win a spot.

Howie Kendrick had another really nice season without being a league standout. People are calling Kendrick one of the most underrated position players in the game, and I would agree with a lot of those people, as he is a nice little second baseman, without a lot of pomp.

Later today I'll post some more uncustomed Angels.

What happens when a villain switches lairs

I don't know if you've heard, but I hate David Freese. His presence in St. Louis ALONE made me root for the Red Sox this year.

David Freese is the single embodiment of scum and villainy, and he represents everything I hate about the Cardinals.

So what happens when he gets traded to the Angels?

I mean, this is kind of an odd move for Anaheim, as I never would have expected Freese ending up there, however half their team consists of those kind of moves. Freese will get along splendidly with Pujols, Hanson and Hamilton.

But, I'll be honest that I really don't know what to think. Like, half of what made Freese so awful for me is because he did all of those things while on the Cardinals. The other half was just him hitting homers at inopportune times, and being obnoxious about it. And now he's just not on the Cardinals. Even worse, it's a team I'm indifferent about, the Angels.

So...I'm gonna wait until he actually plays in an Angels uniform to really form an opinion. If he's the same old Freese, then he's still #1 on the list of least favorite players. If he actually manages to become a respectable, non-awful ballplayer...Cody Ross, you're back on top.

WORLD SERIES!

 

 YAY RED SOX! BEARDS! BOSTON STRONG! BIG PAPI! LJLKASJFKSDJFLJASDJ!

YAY CARDINALS! THEY WON A LOT! DAVID FREESE! WACHA! FGJHJGASHKGHJKF!

In all honesty, there are a billion things I'd rather do than watch a World Series featuring these two. So tonight I will be watching Survivor while the World Series goes on without me. Do I care who wins? Well, it would be nice if the Cardinals didn't win two titles in three years. So I guess I'm rooting for Duck Dynast- I MEAN The Red Sox.

So yeah. The Cardinals are so evil that they're making a lifelong Yankee fan root for Boston. EEEVIL I TELL YOU!

I didn't mean literally...

 

Whenever there's a player that infuriates fans to the point of head-scratching-insanity, usually they wish terrible things upon them. I always hoped for Manny Ramirez to get struck by lightning, or for Kevin Youkilis to have Fenway Park implode in on him.

One time, when I was a young kid rooting for the Packers, I said aloud that "I wish Dante Culpepper would break his ankle" And while I don't think he did, his career was snapped in two anyway.

So wishing for bodily harm to come to a sports star is fine, unless it comes true.

Now you see where I'm going here.

This week, David Freese was injured in a car accident. He didn't die, and he didn't succumb to any massive injuries, but his car was totaled and a ray of sympathy went out for him. The accident puts this fan in an awkward situation; I may have said once or twice during the past two postseasons that the Cardinals would be a better team if David Freese got his by a car.

Once again, I was slain by horrible timing. For the 1,000th time. 

It's like saying "I wish Michael Jackson would just take a rest for a while". Or saying "I wish Brandon McCarthy would keep his head in check". It's terrible timing and it makes you look bad.

And yes, I do apologize for the previous two jokes. 

Back to Freese. What I said was nothing against his personality, but merely against his playing ability. He keeps having big games against teams I enjoy. It's a bit infuriating, in a Youk-esque way. I never actually wanted bodily harm to come to Freese, I just was frustrated that he was doing so well. 

So David Freese will rebound, and I'm definitely sure he'll be playing for St. Louis next year. Also, his salary allows him to get a new car. But am I still going to root against him? Probably. Unless he does something awesome that makes me regain trust in him.

But until then, it's back to wishing for his demise by way of airplane-jet-engine.

Raul, you never cease to amaze me.

 

Wow. Just...just wow. I feel like what happened last night was made to be a baseball story. The star DH isn't hitting, so they bring in Raul, and he decks 2 of 'em to win the game. Oh, it was classic. It was so awesome to watch, too. 

 

Meanwhile, this man, who is part of your complete breakfast, helped his team stay alive and tie the series. I really like this A's team, and I really hope they win...mainly because the Yankees can probably beat them. 

 

Who woulda called this guy pitching pretty well out of the bullpen? Actually, who would have called the Reds allowing the Giants to tie it up? The Reds are a strong team, and I think they'll get the win, but this is a bit scary for them. The Giants are beginning to get good, fast. 

 

 In other news...this guy neeeds to break a bone. It's not very nice to wish pain on people, especially baseball players, but it would make my life a hell of a lot easier knowing this guy isn't in the lineup. If he keeps it up, he'll pass Cody Ross on my Most Infuriating Players list.

Custom Card of the Day: Freese Edition

 

(Footage of David Freese playing ball).

ANNOUNCER: David Freese. St. Louis' Hero. To many, he's a saint. But to most...

(Shot of Freese's face turns red)

ANNOUNCER: He's a scoundrel.

Cut to a man in a regular sports shirt.

GUY #1: David Freese refused to sign my kid's ball. He also refused to sign his cap, his baseball card, his rally squirrel, and him.

Cut to another guy.

GUY #2: David Freese drenched my house with Gatorade, and laughed maniacally at us.

Cut to Ryan Howard.

RYAN HOWARD: David Freese sprained my ankle, and refused to fess up for it. Also, he's the devil's spawn.

Back to a shot of Freese, zooming closer to the camera.

ANNOUNCER: David Freese...not a champion...not a hero...not America's choice. 

(Paid for by the Association for Voting Bryce Harper to the All Star Game)

BRYCE HARPER: I'm Bryce Harper, and I approve of this Clown Question.

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Coming Tomorrow- He should have been voted to the All Star Game. Most sportswriters are baffled by this. Hopefully, a spot will open up, and this former Cy Young Award winner will return to the ASG.

Year by Year Customs: 1989

The penultimate day of year customs. These ones are actually pretty awesome.

Coming Tomorrow- A set I've only attempted customizing once- the dreaded 1991 set. Wish me luck.