Topps Cards That Should Have Been: The Jim Thome Chronicles

 

I've discussed this on the blog before, but growing up, Jim Thome was one of my favorite players.

In the early days of Citizens Bank Park, I went to a lot of games, basked in Philly fandom, and began to appreciate the raw power and skill of Jim Thome. Then, once Thome got hurt, the Howard-Utley era took hold and they became the playoff monolith I always wanted them to be. Thome's years definitely set the stage though, with help from people like Randy Wolf, Billy Wagner, Bobby Abreu, Endy Chavez and Mike Lieberthal. I do have a lot of nostalgia for those teams.

Of course, I followed Thome throughout the rest of his HOF career, as he sort of mellowed into a one-dimensional bat/bench bat/DH type. After a solid couple seasons in Chicago replacing Frank Thomas as the heart of the lineup, Thome was traded to the Dodgers in a waiver deal in August 2009. That surprised me. But the Dodgers were making a playoff run, so I went with it.

In all honesty, Thome's Dodgers numbers weren't too great, hitting .235 in 17 games, used solely as a bench bat, without any of his trademark home runs. His postseason numbers were slightly better, and he had a hit in his only plate appearance in the NLCS, but the Phillies, ironically, took out LA en route to another World Series. 

Topps did a Thome Dodgers card for 2009 Heritage High Number and in 2010 Topps, but he never got a flagship release for the year he actually played for the Dodgers, hence why I made one. 

Topps figures him out soon after. He signs a 2-year deal with the Twins to be their DH, he hits more homers as a bench tool and DH, gets his 600th homer, and he gets Twins cards in 2010 and 2011, all is well.

And then in 2011, another waiver deal claims Thome.

Thome's old team, the Cleveland Indians, came calling, as they were chasing a wild card spot that would eventually go to Tampa. They purchased his contract from the Twins, he came to Cleveland and immediately got back to his old tricks. In 22 games, he hit .296, had 71 at-bats [THEY STARTED HIM], and 3 more homers. It was a welcome return to form for the Indians legend, and the fans were absolutely stoked to have him back.

Topps, unlike the Dodgers issue, decides to omit this stint entirely from the records, obviously not doing a card in 2011 as it was past the cutoff, and already moving onto the Phillies for 2012 Topps [which I thank them for]. Hence this version.

Now, under normal circumstances, I'd make a 2012 Topps card of Thome's half-year stint on the Baltimore Orioles, also for a stretch run, but by a technicality, one already exists. Topps made a Thome card in Update...but the bastards short-printed it. It will never cease to piss me off how Topps will short-print actual traded players in a traded set. So an Orioles Thome issue exists, it's just maddeningly hard to find. It's not like the 2017 Yu Darvish where I can pay like 2 bucks for it online cause it's surprisingly well printed. The Thome one is just...rare as hell. So I don't know if I'll ever own it, but it's a nice dream. 

But that's why I didn't make a 2012 O's one. Cause Topps, in their own twisted way, already did.

Whatever, made my job slightly easier anyway. 

The Stars are Out: Hall of Fame Induction Edition

It's becoming pretty weird to me that a lot of the guys I saw play baseball when I was a kid get inducted into the Hall of Fame. I've made customs of a lot of these guys, and now here they are, in Cooperstown, getting inducted. Crazy stuff.

So, here are some more additions to the Stars are Out series I've been doing, showcasing all three of these guys throwing out the first pitch at games. I couldn't get photos of Vladimir Guerrero, Jack Morris or Alan Trammell, so we'll just feature the other three.

Trevor Hoffman goes first, because it took him the longest of the core four to get here. Hoffman is a San Diego legend, one of the greatest closers of all time, and deserves to be here.

And here's Larry Jones. Looking laid back, yet still owning his achievements in Atlanta as a landmark third baseman and legendary hitter. He also deserves this induction.

And this guy...one of my childhood heroes, and a guy who got me into the Phillies as a kid...is one of the strongest hitters I ever got to see live, and was a Hall of Famer even before he wore a Phillies uniform. I'm glad he finally got there. Jim Thome is a legend, and deserves to be enshrined, even if he's not a Phillie on the plaque.

So, congrats to all Hall of Famers. They all deserve it.

2018 Hall of Fame Results: Four Easy Pieces

What's great about this era of HOF inductees is that, with the exception of Trevor Hoffman, they all exist in the era of custom cards, so I can post blog-archived material for 3/4ths of the inductees. 

What's also great is that I would have voted these four in, like, in a heartbeat, so I'm insanely happy that they all get to be Hall of Famers now.

Chipper was a foregone conclusion. Of everybody on the ballot, I knew he'd be a definite. The way he played the game, and the consistency in the field and at bat over 20 years...you don't find that everyday. The easiest comparisons would be somebody like Brooks Robinson, but it's barely a comparison when Chipper paved the way to become his own type of athlete, and a poster child for Braves fans everywhere. Happy he made it in.

 Happier still that this guy made it. When I got into collecting, Vladdie was one of the most likable players in the fold, and he was insanely easy to root for, no matter what team he played for. Even when he was with the Rangers, I rooted for him. His style of play was based in power, and he was insanely powerful whenever he was on the base paths. He's also one of those guys that could have played for another 3 or 4 years. If only the Jays hadn't have effectively ended his career.

Happy for Vlad, and happy for Trevor Hoffman, who deserved the nod by just being an intimidating and fearsome closer for 18 odd years. But...I wanna reserve a bit for the last guy that got in...

Jim Thome, for a few years, was my favorite player in baseball.

He came to Philadelphia, made a name for himself within a span of 60 seconds, and made coming to Citizens Bank Park a must for me. The first time I went, it was incredible- Thome hit a home run, and the whole plays erupted in the kind of love he'd be responsible for whenever he'd show up in Philly for the rest of his career. The way he played the game owed itself to instant admiration. In the period before I got back into card collecting and hyper focused on who everyone was, I rooted for Jim Thome. I had every right to.

And now Thome's a Hall of Famer, because why the hell wouldn't he be? He deserved it, and I'm so happy I'll get to point him out to my eventual offspring in Cooperstown one day.

So...yeah, I'll say that Hall of Fame voters did well enough this year. I'd have made room for Edgar Martinez, but I'm thinking this means he'll be in next year.

Now...I wait a year for the 2013 inductions...which means I'll be waiting a year to talk about Hall of Fame cases for two of my OTHER favorite players...a guy named Mo...and a guy named Doc.

Custom Card of the Day: Thome Edition

 

I was going to post this one last night, but due to time, I couldn't. I was going to post it this morning, but due to immense sleeping because of midnight Spider Man premiere, I couldn't.

I'm finally posting this one. And I felt like I had to get it out there. Thome remains one of my favorite players. If he sticks with the O's, I will be seeing him play yet again in August. And I personally can't wait for that.

Sometime today I will likely be doing something involving the All Star Rosters, and my customs. Keep watching the skis...I mean, skies.

Coming Tonight- They say that everything's bigger in Texas. Well, with this guy, everything sucks in Philly. But, after joining the other Texan team, he's back to his former mojo.

O Well

 

It's sad when one of your favorite players is traded. 

It's even sadder when the cause of the trade is Ty Wiggington. 

(I know his lack of defensive play factored into it, I'm blaming Wiggington)

But it isn't as bad when he is traded to a team that will definitely utilize him...and a team that I actually support. 

Fare the well, Sir Thome. May the sun never set on you, or on Baltimore. May the Orioles win even more games, now that you are among them. And may the prospects gained by the Phillies prosper, in time.

Godspeed, Jim. The Phillies will remember you.

A Message to Ruben Amaro Jr.

Dear Mr. Amaro,

Quite obviously, this season hasn't been the best for the Philadelphia Phillies. The loss of our two biggest stars have caused the offense to cave in on itself, and our best pitchers have gone onto the DL. It's a season of turmoil, and it's a season whose outcome is hazy at this moment. I know it's part of your job to make the team stronger, but according to sources, you're attempting to trade one of its biggest hitters, and most beloved players.

I realize that Jim Thome does not have the speed, or even the strength, he had about ten years ago. He's not gonna play everyday, and his career is on the downslide. That being said, the man has been hitting beautifully ever since coming back off the DL. He's hit countless home runs, and has given the fans something to hope for. Jim Thome is one of the few bright spots in the lineup, and for the period before Chase Utley came back, him, Hunter Pence and Carlos Ruiz were some of the only people doing most of the hitting.

Jim Thome is one of the things we NEED right now. So why are you telling AL teams that he's open?

Is it because he doesn't play everyday? That shouldn't be a reason to trade the guy? Is it because Ryan Howard's coming back? Even still, we might need someone to play backup every once and a while. Is it because you don't like him? That shouldn't factor into it. Is it because he's forty? He can STILL HIT! Is it because he's not gonna rack up 20 or 30 homers? You shouldn't look for that in him.

I just don't see a good reason to give up Jim Thome. Sure, you have people like Hector Luna and Ty Wiggington waiting in the wings...but Luna can kinda play any infield position. Ty Wiggington may be the reason, because he's the starter and he hits pretty well. But I don't think the fans like him as much as Thome.

Either way, it's up to you. Trade Thome, for all I care. Keep Wiggington. The fans are gonna hate it, because they love Thome, and whoever gets Thome is gonna be really lucky.

Sincerely,

Jordan Schmidt
The Mint Condition kid

P.S.- Don't trade Hamels and Rollins.

Custom Card of the Day- Thome Edition

 

I've said too many times that Jim Thome made me become a Phillies fan. For three years he was an outstanding first baseman, and he could hit really well for us. When he left, yeah, I wasn't too happy, but Ryan Howard took his place full time and retained my love of the team. Of course, in those years since I still held a soft spot for Thome, who played for four other teams before rejoining the Phils this season.

Thankfully he's been a monster at the plate lately, hitting home runs as well as he used to. And also, like when he was on the team nine years ago, the team isn't doing very well. All I keep seeing is "Thome hits homer in loss to (insert team here)". And it's kinda sad. The year Thome rejoins the team is the same year the Phillies start tanking. Of course, it's mainly because Utley and Howard are out, but I blame the whole thing on David Freese. I don't know why...I just feel like blaming him.

 But still, Thome's been hitting like a champ for us, and that's really all I need to hear. He's a definite Hall of Famer, and while he may not go in with a Philadelphia uniform, Topps will still make cards with him in one long after he's retired. 

(I hope).

Coming Tomorrow- Tim Wakefield just retired. Somebody needs to step up to the Knuckleballer Throne! Somebody call the guy who just threw a one-hitter (as far as the MLB is concerned) in Flushing!

A Returning Hero

For two years of my life, Jim Thome was my favorite player.

During my youth, I knew next to nothing about baseball. Due to my father's "root for the Yankees or sleep on the roof" policy, I had no choice but to root for Jeter. For a year or so, he was my favorite player. Of course, a year later I went to my first Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. Myself, my friend Nick, and my folks sat in our seats, anxiously awaiting the team.

Jimmy Rollins was the leadoff hitter back then. Keep in mind that these were the days that J-Rol was quick enough to lead off. After him were Polanco and Abreu. Batting fourth was the star of the show. The crowd cheered as he stepped to the plate. The stadium bore his number, and the kids were carrying mini bobbleheads of his likeness (I still carry one in my room). Jim Thome was at the plate, and in 2004 Philadelphia, nobody else was bigger than him, in both senses of the word.

I forget if he hit a home run or not that night, but I remember thinking that he was an awesome hitter, and a great player. I thought that no other human being could replace the man at 1st base. And from 2004 until the day he was signed by Chicago, Jim Thome was my favorite player.

After that, my attention switched back to the Bronx, as Jeter and A-Rod ruled the throne. I still rooted for the Phils, but since Thome had left, my attention had waned. Ryan Howard had taken the irreplaceable position, and while he was excellent, he just wasn't Thome. Of course, when the Phils took it all in 2008, I cheered for them. I cheered every year for them, but it was a shame Thome couldn't celebrate with them.

Yesterday, I was sitting on the waiting seats in a Mexican restaurant far from home. I was tired, hungry, and after a long night, was hankering for a Sprite. As I was relaxing on the seats, my dad nudged me, and pointed to the TV Screens. I squinted to make out what was going on at ESPN, though Jim Thome's face graced the screen.

I slowly read the words aloud: "Thome to sign one year deal with Phillies." And at that moment, despite the fact that I was in Yankee country, I let out a cheer. I was so happy that my hero was back in town, and that he could hit for us again. Howard might be hurt for some of the season, so Thome will get his throne back.

Jim Thome will most likely retire in Philly pinstripes. And that's an idea I can get around.

Custom Card of the Day: Thome Edition

I realize that yes, I promised to post a Kerry Wood custom today, but when one of your favorite non-Yankees returns to his old team, and hits a homer there, you have to commemorate.

There isn't much to say about Jim Thome that hasn't already been said. He's one of the nicest guys in the majors, and him coming back to his old team after 9 years likely proves that. The Indians fans still love Thome, which says a lot about his repuation. I enjoyed watching this man play for my team for three years. I went to Phillies games all the time back then, and I loved watching Thome...I thought he was something south of a legend.

I'm just so happy that his original fans can watch him play for their team one last time. Because if he retires after this season, this won't be the last time they see him wearing an Indians cap. He'll be wearing one on his plaque in Cooperstown.

Coming Tomorrow- Finally I'll post Kerry Wood.

Custom Card of the Day: Thome Edition

There aren't that many players who leave Philadelphia after a few great years, and get a huge round of applause whenever they return to play against them. Jim Thome is one of those people. During my days as a Philly fan in the mid 2000's, when the Phillies' mediocrity held no bounds, I went to a lot of Phillies games during Thome's tenure, and I thought he was a great player. Decking home runs over the wall, and he also seemed like a nice guy.

In 2007, my 5th grade class trip was to a Phillies game, and they were playing, of all teams, the White Sox. Jim Thome was indeed on the roster, and it felt pretty weird seeing him out of a Phillies uniform. Still, when he got up, the Phillies fans around us gave him a round of applause. And you could see that he enjoyed it. Not many players are still loved by the team he leaves.

Now last year, I got tickets to another Phillies game, against the Twins (Don't worry, these weren't my only Phillies games). Jim Thome didn't start against the Phils, but I had a feeling he's be playing eventually. Sure enough, around the 5th inning, Thome bounded out of the dugout, toward the batters box, and even before the announcer could finish his name, the crowd rose and gave the man a standing ovation. And boy, what I'd give to see the look on his face. The team he was with for only 3 seasons, still loves him. I'd be smiling, and I'd tip my helmet to those fans.

The point I'm trying to get at here is that there are very few people in this world that hate Jim Thome. And I'm not one to think that Hall of Fame voters are among those people.

Coming Tomorrow- Quite possibly the most underrated closer in all of baseball, on quite possibly the worst team in all of baseball, searching for a new home.

Back with Minnesota

In case you haven't heard by now, Jim Thome, former Philly and all around great player, had resigned with the Twins for another year, after rampant speculation he would go to Texas. Personally, I'm glad he's back with the Twins. The team benefitted from his sheer power at DH, and was a huge factor in getting them to the playoffs.

Thome's always been a lot of fun to watch, and I'm sure he'll keep being that way for 2011.

(P.S- This custom is from last year, and I KNOW it's not one of my best)

Big Jim

The Twins played their first game in Target Field today, and somehow this guy wasn't on the roster. A shame, too. Still, Jim has had a great career, and I would say he has a legitamate shot of getting into the Hall of Fame. I know that fans of the two other teams in the AL Central will disagree, unless Jim ends his career with the Royals or the Tigers. Still, a great player, and an ex-Philly. Great resume

Up next- the only shot a pre-vintage expansion team has at being customised. Jason Giambi is tomorrow's custom of the day, and he's playing for one.

And the Thome goes to...

Minnesota! Let's note that Thome is not the first aging superstar to come to Minnesota (Or the first to constantly screw up when faced with a playoff spot)

The bad news is that now Topps is scrambling to photoshop him into a Miinnestota ui for the Update set. As if the last year had them scrambling, where the waiver deal went past the printing finale for Topps, this year will be even worse.

More Super Veterans

Right off the Photoshop grill, here are some more Super Vets

While I'm at it, I might as well post a preview for another future project

EDIT- Yeah, I screwed up the decals on the Thome. I'll fix it later.

2 in a row

Wow

Back in February, when Philadelphia's sole...real offseason effort was grabbing Raul Ibanez in place of Burrell, it didn't look like the Phillies had much hope. Then we started winning. Then Raul became a superstar in Philly. Then we slowly morphed into the NL champs.

Wow. I was going crazy last night after the game. And if they win the whole thing again, my city will sleep knowing that their heroes have fufilled their destiny.

Just waiting on the Yankees now

But here are some customs from the dearly departed D0dgers

Kershaw did pretty well in the playoffs this year.

Thome's first postseason effort on the Dodgers was a good one

And now, some Phillies!!!

What they were all thinking last night

YESSSS!

DAMMIT!


HUH?

Wait...we actually won a game?

It'll be even longer tonight

Things that I didn't see coming

Night at the Museum 2 #1, Terminator Salvation #2.

Rita's Swedish Fish Water Ice tastes pretty good.

A Blog Called "Weekly Box Break"only posts every few months.

President Bush?

People actually like my custom cards

President Bush again?

Sarah Palin- One year, a small town Alaskan Governor. The next year, part of the worst decision in history.

Tina Fey- One year, a comedian on 30 Rock, the next year- "I can see Russia from my house!"

And finally, that by the end of the 2009 season, a once powerful ChiSox pitcher, a top pitcher for Baltimore and a HOF-Bound Slugger would all be shipped on a plane to Los Angeles. Night Owl and GCRL- Good News. WhiteSoxCards, OrioleOtheDay, any D-Backs fan- Baad news.

Also, I'd like to be the first one to welcome Wait Til Next Year back to the blogosphere. Still waiting on Hand Collated and Weekly Box Break, though.

Will be headed back to my hometown today, but don't expect to see Custom Cards tomorrow. I gotta photoshop some more. I might post tonight, you never know.