Custom Card of the Night: Hamilton Edition

Not gonna lie. I didn't think I'd be seeing this sight again.

I thought, if we're being candid, that Josh Hamilton's career would simply end in Anaheim. He'd run out his contract and, in essence, run out his career. I knew Anaheim was a bad fit for him the second he signed, because Arlington is out of the spotlight, and Arlington gave Hamilton a lot of strength and willpower. It was only when he went to the Angels that he fell off the wagon.

So...now that he's back on the Rangers, I'm overjoyed. He's back where he *needs* to be. He's already sort-of returned to form, back to hitting home runs and doing what he did the last time he was on the Rangers. It's like he was rejuvenated, or maybe he just couldn't perform well on the Angels because there were too many distractions.

It kind of helps that the Rangers do need him, as much as Prince Fielder would like to claim that they're rallying around him. In his last few years as a Ranger, the team eventually rallied around Hamilton as a sort of leader, and now that he's back, that can sort of resume. There's a lot of youth that's entered the roster since he left (and I mean A TON), and Hamilton will just be the mentor, the role model, now that he's back.

I think it's great that he came back, and I hope he hits well, except against the Yankees.

Coming Tomorrow- Christ, this custom's been in my backlogs since late April, since the Mets-a-palooza back then. Now I FINALLY get a chance to post this custom, and thank heavens too, because it's a beaut.

Hollywood Never Learns

Almost two months ago, I told you about a depressing rumor that Brett Ratner, director of such cinematic classics as Rush Hour 3 and Tower Heist, was trying to make a movie about how Yasiel Puig defected from Cuba. And that was a pretty bad one. The dude's career just started in America, why exactly would you do that so early in their career?

Casey Affleck (whose brother, Ben Affleck, has starred in such cinematic classics as Gigli and Daredevil, and also directed such actual cinematic classics as Argo and The Town) has thought around this. You see, Casey Affleck knows that you have to wait until a player is either retired, or somewhat irrelevant, to make a movie about them.

Which is why he's already signed on to direct a movie about Josh Hamilton....who's actually still a generally big MLB figure. Come on, guys, learn a little!

The proposed Josh Hamilton movie is all about the big, heart-wrenching story about how he came close to burning out of the leagues on every drug possible, and then he came back and became a second-string outfielder with the Angels. Okay, maybe they're some more important crap in there, but I'm not in charge of writing it.

The funny thing is that I really don't have a problem with this movie. You can definitely do a Josh Hamilton movie, because he doesn't have that much left in his career, so that by the time the movie comes out, it'll be like, one of the last few things Josh Hamilton has to worry about. Plus, if it's a really good movie, then maybe it'll give Hamilton a reason to stick around in the leagues a bit.

I mean, yeah, it bothers me that one of the costars of the new Transformers movie will be playing Hamilton, but it's not a big loss. I mean, as long as we don't have any Ratner Interference, I think we'll be fine.

Custom Card of the Day: Hamilton Edition

It took a nice five years to build up the legend of Josh Hamilton.

However, it only took one to destroy it a little.

I mean, maybe it was the change in location, maybe it was the stress of being in LA, maybe it was rooming with Albert Pujols. Somehow, Josh Hamilton had a down year in 2013. And it's looking like 2014 might be another one, unless he refinds his footing.

It's sad, because that five year legend was actually looking like it was gonna stick around. He had a good story, and he'd come back from so much to be a big star. The 2008 Home Run Derby was so much fun thanks to Hamilton.

Who wants it to end like THIS? Not hitting, not playing well, not happy? Legends should end gracefully, not abruptly.

This year needs to be big for Josh if he wants to stay relevant, because he's gonna lose all the fame if he keeps playing like he did last year. It's a little sad, too.

I just hope he does something this year.

UPDATE: Out 6-8 weeks. Boy, that was really great timing, wasn't it?

Coming Tomorrow- Mr. National League.

Custom Card of the Day: Hamilton Edition

 

Like last year, it took me about a month to make a custom of the biggest star traded or signed by another team during the offseason. So, welcome to the Angels, Josh. Here's an awesome custom.

The Angels baffle me. By all intents and purposes they should be touted to rule the league. They have a strong outfield, a strong pitching staff, good pitching, good hitting. For some reason that can never fit together to create a solid final standing. Last year the Angels came in 3rd. Back when 3rd was 2nd-to-last place in the AL West. 

Maybe now, with Josh Hamilton and his surplus of homers, the Angels could be a legitimate force in the AL. I know that it may be hard for the team to string it together, but I hope it happens. They seem like a fun team.

Not much else to say, except for the fact that I made a Josh Hamilton custom. Yeah.

Coming Tomorrow- Once again, I'm all out. Any requests?

WHAAAAAT?

 

Leave it to those Angels to come in at the last minute and ruin everything.

It's annoying, too. Like with Pujols, I thought my Phillies had a decent chance at nabbing Josh Hamilton. I was betting on it. At lunch, I was informed that Amaro had made another offer. I was like 'come onnn...come onnn, like I was reeling in a fish.

Of course, then the boat that caught every other fish in the lake came by and snatched it from us,

I mean this was annoying. The Angels don't even NEED any outfield help, they just signed him to prevent everybody ELSE from signing him, which is ballsy and pathetic. Besides, they already had their huge free agent signing LAST year, and it was Pujols. Couldn't they be happy with that? OF COURSE NOT!

But still, it's nice knowing Hamilton will be out of a Rangers uniform for a while. LA will suit him, hopefully. And if not, there's a city closeby that needs some outfield help.

Where Hamilton Won't Go

 

This is Josh.

Josh isn't especially happy right now, since his team isn't even pretending to make an offer, to keep him around. Also, after a play that basically cost his team the AL East, he's on the outs in baseball.

So where does he go? Here are some teams that I'm almost definitely sure will not take Josh Hamilton.

•  Pirates. Dead broke, already having a decent outfielder. Yeah, I'm pretty sure Josh wouldn't fit.
• Padres. Same thing. They can't afford him.
• Matter of fact, let's also eliminate the teams that definitely can't afford Josh Hamilton. Sorry Blue Jays, Astros, Cubs, Mariners and Royals.
• Indians. They're just rich enough to escape the previous category. Then again, Terry Francona could snatch him up.
• Phillies. They may be desperate, but they're not stupid.
• Mets. Ya think David Wright would enjoy sharing a clubhouse with that guy?
• Tigers. Because Jim Leyland's been searching high and low for a drinking buddy for Miguel Cabrera. Actually, they're on here because I absolutely, positively do not want this to happen. Miggy, Prince and Hamilton on the same lineup? I get shivers.
• Rangers. Already been discussed.
• Yankees. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No. 

 So that narrows the playing field a bit. Then again, I could be wrong. One of these teams could very well pick Josh up for next season.

Just not the Yankees.

Custom Card of the Day: Hamilton Edition

It's hard to believe, but this is only Josh Hamilton's sixth official MLB season. What amazes me is that in six long years, Hamilton has become one of the premier players in the league, one of the fiercest hitters, and one of the game's brightest stars. And he only walked in five years ago this season. To put things in perspective: In 2007, the Rangers finished in last place, and ended the season trading Mark Texiera to Atlanta, and trading Edinson Volquez to Cincinatti.

Things have changed, apparently.

The Rangers have made it to the World Series two years in a row. They've been the team to beat in the AL for the past few seasons, and Hamilton is only a small chunk of an intimidating offense. The man has thankfully overcome his drug problems, and has become one of the game's best overall hitters.

Coming Tomorrow- I don't know. Any requests?

Things are getting insane

3-1, in position to advance. Honestly, I think they'll win.

First of all, isn't that card awesome?

Second of all, this guy has a 2-1 lead over Milwaukee. No offense toward any Cards fans, but last week's loss still stings. I kinda want the Brewers to win, cause I hate them the least.

But forget about bias- look at that card!

Custom Card of the Night

Here is a card of Josh Hamilton. There is nothing else to say.

Tomorrow- The man named after a nickelodeon show.

Victorious...

Lincy and his 14 K's blew past the Braves.

Berkman's 2 run homer powered the Yanks.

And this guy...(since I didn't make a Kinsler, or Young)...this guy won too.

Custom Card of the Day- Hamilton edition

Josh Hamilton was long overdue for a custom. So I gave him one. Here he is, in all his division leading glory.

I don't know if any of you heard, but I was in Williamsport a few days ago for the Little League World Series. I was there for something a little more than baseball, something I'd rather not get into, but if you really want to know, check the 6:30 news with Diane Sawyer tonight. I think it's on there somewhere, although I might not be there by face.

It was a cool experience. I witnessed a close game between Taiwan (Former home of my dentist, Chien Ming Wang and Chin Lung Hu) and Japan (Former home of about 1/10th of the Major Leagues). It was tied by 2 and going into extra innings when an error by Taiwan sealed the deal for Japan, and yesterday they ended up winning the whole thing.

I also was pushed headfirst into the world of pin collecting. At these games, every team has little pins that they get, each from their own District, like District 13 is here in New Jersey, and there are other ones in Massechussets, Newark, New York and more. I ended up trading a few of my own pins for some from around the country, and I even got one of last year's Europe pins (Cause of my former German resident grandma). It's amazing, because the same way we trade cards, they trade pins. These guys have whol books of pins, and they take ours and we're allowed to pick from theirs. It seems like an awesome hobby, but not as awesome as the one I blog about.

Still it was an amazing experience. Just going as a spectator has been a dream of so many (My dad said he could now cross that off his bucket list), and only so few get to witness it in person.

Card Show- Sweet Swag

A few days ago I went to a Card Show down at the somewhat-local mall. I was stunned. Being that this was my first in a while, I simply looked first, THEN gorged! There were a lot of hot products- 2009 Topps, all the inserts, Numbered, Turkey Red, you name it- and a lot of products that were hot back in the day- tons of random Early 00's packs-.

In fact, my dad (Who came with me) answered a Trivia Question about Ron "Louisana Lightning" Guidry (He went to Guidry's first game. Talk about a Yankee fan) and we won a free Guidry card! I chose one of the only ones we didn't have:1983 Topps #440 (Above)

If that wasn't enough, I got a few packs of older stuff. 1995 Topps was a dead end, no need to show it (Dave Henderson and Ruben Sierra were the only ones I knew). But I ended up getting 2 packs of 2003 Topps, which I started back in the day but couldn't finish.

Pack One-

Lance Berkman- #230 Awesome! Still no Yankees though...

Frank Thomas #109 Great player, close to retirement, but cool. Where are my Bronx Boys

Hideo Nomo #93 Boooo! Former Red Sock! Get him out of here!

Hobby Masters Kazuhisa Ishii HM2 Who? Never heard of him! And how is he a Hobby Master then?

Tony Armas Jr. #149

Ruben Quevedo #111

This pack is beginning to smell- wait!

Greg Maddux- #105 NICE! Retiree! That is getting better

Jason Giambi #356 DINGDINGDINGDINGDING! Yankee in the house!

Not the best Yankee, but a Yankee nonetheless

Mike Mussina #190 Wow, another Retired Yankee. Now let's end it strong!

Brent Butler #241 The exact opposite of strong

Pack 2-

Geronimo Gil #131

Carlos Baerga #45

John Halama #280

Art Howe Manager #282

Fernando Vina #223

All except Baerga- who? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THESE PEOPLE!

Add the fact that I already have a Vina in my basement from 6 years ago.

League Leaders NL HR #345

Sosa, Green, and ANOTHER BERK! This pack wants me to move to Houston.

Future Stars Philly Marlon Byrd/ Jorge Padilla #322

Huh? A rookie of a kid who'll never get anywhere? Nah!

Future Stars Twins Michael Cuddyer/ Michael Restovich #329

Huh? A rookie of Michael Cuddyer? Things are looking up!

Future Stars Rangers Hank Blalock/ Mark Texiera #324

Huh? A ROOKIE OF A CURRENT YANKEE? This is bound to be my hit, right?

Future Stars Devil Rays Josh Hamilton/ Carl Crawford #325

(Jaw slowly drops)

Oh my god, this is the best pack EVER!!!! Aside from all those nameless people at the beginning, this ROCKS!

End with a checklist, something 09 Topps doesn't have!!

Wow, that pack blew my mind back then. That means that there are plenty more Card Shows to come!!!