The Stars Are Out: Baseball Legends Edition II

In our continuing series of First Pitch showcases, we've accumulated a lot of shots of former MLB legends throwing out the first pitch. I like doing these ones because the original Topps First Pitch insert series' never had ex-MLB guys in there, and I wanted this to be an excuse not only to showcase Hall of Famers like Hawk over here, but some fringe guys that don't get enough credit. And there are a ton of those here:

For instance, here's another Cubs guy that doesn't get as much respect as Dawson: Kerry Wood. In the 90s, he was that guy that threw 20 strikeouts in a game in his rookie year. In the 2000s, he was the pitcher that was supposed to bring the Cubs to the World Series. In the 2010s, he was a loyal member of the struggling Cubs teams as their closer.

Now? He gets love from Cubs fans, but perhaps not the rest of the league. I doubt he'll get very many Hall of Fame votes, but he was a great player that respected the game. I'm glad he's still loved in Wrigley.

Moving now to the other side of Chicago...

This guy is a legend in two places: Chicago, where he came up, was a rookie sensation, and hit a ton of home runs; and Detroit, where he hit even more home runs, helped his team get to a World Series, and transitioned the team from the I-Rod/Da Meat Hook teams of the late 2000s into the Miggy/V-Mart/Scherzer teams of the early 2010s. He's a crucial piece in both teams, and threw out the first pitch in arguably the lesser of his two teams. At least they still love him there, after he jumped ship and played for a division rival.

Keeping with the trend of team heroes, Andy Van Slyke was a member of that playoff-bound 1992 Pirates squad, with Bobby Bonilla and Barry Bonds, and was a hit with the Bucs before the team dissolved. He didn't really have a career outside of Pittsburgh, and I'm sure he doesn't get cheers like he does in Pittsburgh, so at least he gets a warm welcome back here.

Onto a more well-known team hero, Gaylord Perry, who played everywhere but most specifically San Francisco, still gets applause for his HOF-caliber work in the Bay area, even if he's getting up there in age.

Some of these are no brainers: Rickey Henderson became an Oakland legend basically his first year in the bigs, and even if he didn't come back to the Bay area a few times, they'd still have worshipped him. He just shows up in a suit, soaks up the love from fans, who've basically named the stadium after him at this point, and throws the first pitch like the legend he is.

This one is a little frustrating: if the Montreal Expos still existed, Tim Raines would have a definitive place to throw out the first pitch every few years, but this one was done in Toronto, where Raines never played. Yes, there's the occasional carry-over of Montreal fans in Rogers Centre, but most of them just want their team back. And seeing Tim Raines wearing an Expos uniform...and getting cheers from a TORONTO crowd, might be a little infuriating for Expos fans. Still, at least he looks happy to be there.

...and then there's Spaceman.

Bill Lee, the single oddest baseball player of all time, played for Boston and Montreal, lives in Vermont, and threw out the first pitch in Tampa, wearing a throwback uniform for a team that didn't exist at the time they're throwing back to. Never change, Bill.

In all seriousness, Bill Lee is part of a campaign to help Cuban ballplayers play in the States, and Florida, and Tampa, have a nice Cuban population, so it sort of makes sense why he's throwing one out for Tampa. Plus...it's just great to see he's still alive, and happy.

That's enough Stars are Out miscellany for today. Next time I do one of these, expect some guys who've been in the movies.

Another day, another retirement

You may have been injured quite a bit, and you probably won't be a Hall of Famer, but you still had a pretty nice career. You were dominant whenever you were on the mound, whether for Chicago, Cleveland or New York. And, as it seemed, you were a pretty nice guy.

The MLB will miss you.

Custom Card of the Day: Wood Edition

Last year I went to a Nationals game, against the Cubs. I was down near the bullpen, hoping to field a few practice balls. I was looking around, and I see a Cubs fan near the bullpen, flagging down somebody to help get the ball. Kerry Wood pops out, and the Cubs fan is overjoyed. And the guy just has a conversation with Kerry. Hell, I think the topics ranged from "We're so happy to have you back" to "you guys were robbed back in 2003". And Kerry seemed like a really nice guy. First of all, I never knew how deep his voice was, and second of all, he was extremely affable.

The minute he gets onto the mound, he's as intimidating as hell.

I hope he finishes his career a star, and I hope Chicago gives him the respect he deserves.

Coming Tomorrow- Roberts. Bunning. Carlton. McGraw. Schilling. And now the man who will indefinitely join their ranks the minute he retires.

Custom Card of the Day: Wood Edition

It's funny how we have two days in a row of a guy who left his old team a while ago, and is now back, fittingly. Kerry Wood may not be Jim Thome, or a hall of famer, but he's still had a solid career. His rookie year he was hyped to be the next big thing, fanning batters at the drop of a hat. Injuries quelled his 2000's, and he was left an aging but still merciless closer. It's kinda poetic that Kerry's back with Chicago, although the fans still love him.

Back when I was on my baseball road trip, we stopped at a Nationals game, where they were playing the Cubs. I was waving for batting practice balls over the visiting team's bullpen. A ball flew into the pen, and Kerry Wood went to get it. At the sight of seeing Mr. Wood, a visible Chicago fan came running out of his seat, to try to talk to him. The fan proclaimed that he was there back in 03, and 05, when they were coming close to a victory in the playoffs. And Kerry, almost a full 360 as to what I thought of him, just started talking to the guy. He seems like a fairly affable human being, but I thought he was dead serious before this. And finally, the fan tossed him two baseballs for Kerry to sign, which he did thoughtfully.

The bottom line is that while Kerry Wood might not be destined for Cooperstown like we all thought he'd be, he's still a solid player, and a nice guy. And how can you top that?

Coming Tomorrow- A surprising new reliever prospect that's been making a lot of headlines, from Prospect City, aka Atlanta. And it ain't Jose Costanza.

Custom Card of the Day- Faked Night Card Edition

The man you see above has been pitching beautifully in relief for the Yankees. Remember when he was in Chicago and Cleveland, and he could barely stay off the DL? Here comes a new Kerry Wood, fit for destruction of any and all adversaries...or something like that. I saw him astonish the crowd last night by striking out a heap of Detroit batters. That takes skill.


By the way, if the Yankees had gotten Kerry Wood 10 years earlier, the response would be ecstatic, but the payoff would be disappointing...sorta like Carl Pavano. Now, we get him in 2010, the response is quieter, but the payoff is way more excellent.


Another thing- the photo shown on the card was originally taken during the day, but with the help of a few photoshop tools, Kerry looks like he's showing the opposing team what he's made of later at night.

Sorry, but no more customs until I get back from Lake George, which is late Saturday. Sunday or Monday I will TRY to get a custom or two out.

New York's Newest Rent-a-Yankees

At 4:00 PM today, the MLB trades came to a screeching halt. At the same time, the manager at Topps screamed to card designers "BACK TO WORK! You know we need that Update set by October!"

The Yankees garnered three legitimate stars out of the deal. Berkman I already talked about. Let's meet the other two. Guess what- THEY'RE BOTH CLEVELAND INDIANS! That'll send the "I hate the Yankees" posts a-blazing!

Austin Kearns was the Yankee trade that I wasn't happy at all about. Austin Kearns is like the Owen Wilson of baseball. Sure, he does a lot, and he's on a lot of good teams, but at the end of the day he's annoying! (Although I don't think Austin Kearns talks like an idiot). But, I'm sure he'll be able to fill in a hole or two on the team. Sad to say it, we need a guy like Kearns. I don't know if he can hit much, but this move wasn't about offense.

Kerry Wood was a little more impressive in my opinion. You see, the Yankees are in need of set up men. If the pitcher is tanking halfway through the game, you can't just leave him in there. You know what we have for middle relievers? We have Chan Ho "Oh, I'm Japanese and that makes me good- NOT!" Park, a couple of young guys and Joba, who suddenly can't pitch for his life. We were in desperate need of Kerry Wood, and it's a nice deal. Of course, if the deal happened about 10 years ago, then maybe we'd be more interested.

Still, it's pretty cool that the Yanks got three stars that they needed. Of course, none of them are staying for 2011. Three months may be it for these guys unless they can make themselves useful.