The Stars are Out: Postseason Edition

 These aren't the last Stars Are Out customs of the year...as there are a few stragglers that are going to hit soon, but all of these occurred during the postseason, which means like 90% of these are gonna be MLB personnel. Which isn't bad. Just...don't expect a renegade rock singer or rodeo rider or anything.

I'm starting with Youk so I can get him over with first. Kevin Youkilis is obviously beloved in Boston for tormenting the Yankees for like 8 years or so, and hitting home runs like hell. So he was a natural choice for a first pitch, though...a bit less natural than the other 2 Red Sox first pitches coming later.

Onto teams taken out in Championship Series':

 The Astros had a few, mostly commemorating their 2005 WS gig, instead of past teams (though Mike Scott appeared, even if I didn't customize him). Lance Berkman is, of course, a hero over there, even after he went and joined not only the Yankees, but the state rival Rangers. His mid-2000s years are still remembered fondly there, even if he looks odd in the new orange.

As does Roy Oswalt. Another guy who's a legend there thanks to his sharp work in the 2000s, Oswalt was a perennial Cy Young finalist, a strikeout artist, and an NL Central horror figure. Even though his career was a bit less graceful than Berkman's, he still gets to come back and throw out a first pitch, which is nice.

Meanwhile, in the losing NLCS city:

 A few legends showed up in Milwaukee. One was Prince Fielder, because...of course he's a legend there by now. He and Ryan Braun even hugged it out. Prince, in a t-shirt and everything, came off like the Jack Black of baseball, and I mean that as a compliment. Plus, he's still young enough to have some velocity in that pitch, I imagine.

Bob Uecker needs no introduction in Milwaukee. He is their beloved voice, and the face, and vocal chords, of Milwaukee sports for several decades. The standing O must have lasted hours. Good for him.

 Next, some World Series players. Reggie Smith, having been a part of a World Series team in 1981, was a nice stroke of good luck for the Dodgers, as well as a treat for older fans.

And then there's Orel, who's a treat for just about everybody. A guy who won a Cy Young, an MVP of a World Series, an ALCS and an NLCS, and tons of respect from Dodgers fans, Orel was one of the catalysts behind the 1988 team, and a strikeout killer. Also, fun fact, Orel went to my high school. And so I collect him. It's that simple.

 And yes, the team that won the damned thing gets some as well. Especially Pedro. The last time he was anywhere near a World Series, he was saying the Yankees were his daddy, so this was kinda nice. Of course, Pedro's a legend anywhere he pitched, but especially Boston, where his Cy Youngs, strikeouts, and ferocity were beloved. Yeah, he also made serious playoff runs with the Mets, Expos and Phils, but he doesn't get a welcome there like he does at Fenway.

...Still, I've gotta end on Yaz. Carl Yastrzemski is Boston baseball, and was more than just Ted Williams' replacement. He was legendary, and he was an extraordinary hitter. And I can only imagine the respectful applause he got when he threw out a first pitch that night, in the World Series. He deserved it, too.

I still have one or two more of these left. I imagine I'll post them eventually.

Customs for Christmas: Rangers

 Merry Christmas, everybody! Here's some cards of a slumping Rangers team!

Derek Holland was alright this season, but lacked the oomph of his 2012 start.

 Lance Berkman is definitely on the downslope, having a poor, injury-laden season in his return to Texas. A shame, too, because he seemed fine two years ago.

Aannd Joe Nathan had another awesome season this year, finally reclaiming his consistency as an awesome closer. Next year he will take over as the Tigers' closer. Which means Jose Veras can go away.

In a few hours, I'll post another team's customs, and that'll be the whole day. These will be programmed, thankfully.

Berkman returns home, sort of

There were rumors, about a month ago, that the Astros were trying to get Lance Berkman back to Texas. They wanted him to be their DH, and to hit homers for them like it was the mid-2000's. After all, Berkman would get the older fans to go back to their games.

This plan didn't misfire in vain- Berkman is still coming back to Texas. Just not to Houston.

The Rangers, a struggling team who lost their major star, signed Berkman last night. Say. Haven't we heard this story before? Lance Berkman being signed by a team who just lost its biggest star, hoping to return to the postseason?

Okay, that's sorta what happened to Beltran, and the season Pujols left, Berkman was hurt, but you get the idea. Berkman has been in this situation before. He can hit his way out of it and surprise everyone. The only problem is now the stakes are higher. The Rangers' only postseason glory has been these last few years, and they all wanna get back. Berkman is going to need a season like the one he had in 2011 in order to help pull this off.

It has been done before, but can it be repeated? Only Berkman can help find this out.

After a good day comes a bad one

Somehow, ties the series at 1.

Also somehow ties the series at 1.

Rockets the Brewers by their second win.

Today better be a good baseball day. Please.

Custom Card of the Day: Berkman Edition

Have you ever made a prediction, only for it to go the exact opposite way you think? For me, that was Lance Berkman this year. When I posted a custom of him back in March, I had no freaking clue that he would have the season he's having this year. And yet...somehow, he did. He hit home runs by the ton, he made it to the All Star Game...and it made me a fool. Because when I posted that custom in March, I said something along the lines of "This is an odd choice for the first week of customs, but he's still going to have an okay season". And I was wrong then. It wasn't an odd choice for the first week of customs, because he'd be one of the best players of the season.

Which is why a few days ago, I figured that Mr. Berkman deserved a do-over. I thought that since the first custom was so nondescript, and bland, and that was before the season he's having, then I could do a better custom in the same design, that's actually eye-catching. And I think it worked.

Coming Tomorrow- His team is having the comeback of the century this year, and he's leading the pack.

Custom Card of the Day

Yes, this is how obscure I can get. Instead of posting a Joey Votto custom, or a Felix Hernandez custom, or even 1 of the Big Phillie Four, I post Lance Effing Berkman, the man whose career doesn't have much left, and whose future Hall of Fame membership is dwindling daily. He was also with the Yankees last year, and that was okay, for about 30 seconds, until the stupid Yes Anchors kept babbling about what to call him.

Good luck in Pujolsville, Fat Elvis.

Tomorow- I gotta make some more. Any requests?

Offseason Minute

I haven't had a lot of time to address the following signings, so I'll report on them now.

Jeter resigned with the Bombers for 3 years and a ton of money. I feel safe knowing my hero's back where he belongs. I just can't see that guy in any other uniform. Not even Philly.

Jose Lopez has been traded to Colorado. Seattle fans everywhere go into a collective "Meh".

I already reported that Adam Dunn signed with Chicago. Good for them. AJ Pierzinksi resigned with Chicago. That's nice.

Juan Uribe signed with the Dodgers. They do need some power in the lineup, since I didn't see any when I saw them in July.

Lance "Fat Elvis" Berkman has signed with the Cardinals. Eh...he wasn't too good for us anyway. I guess St. Louis better enjoy the guy.

I'm not gonna make this official yet, since the trade hasn't been completed, but Adrian Gonzalez might be going to Boston. This isn't very smart, since they already have a fine first baseman, and he can hit, but are they just doing it for star power, for hits? In that case, why bother? You already have a bunch of excellent hitters- why ask for more?

And finally, and this is a headscratcher- Jayson Werth signed a 7 (!!!) year deal with the Washington Nationals. And to Washington, I say this. Enjoy Werth. He is one of the most fun to watch outfielders you're ever gonna see. Plus, he looks like a mountain man. So now that you're lost Adam Dunn, at least you have a new superstar in Washington. Enjoy him.

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- Berk Edition

I'm sitting here in lovely Lake George NY. I might head to the card shop later today, although I'll definitely hit it sooner than later.

Now about the man on the card. Berkman was an odd choice for a midseason New York addition, but so far he seems to be working. Before the accquisiton, I always seemed to get Berk cards in packs. Must have been an omen. He's been doing pretty good for the Yankees, and is a good Sheffield-esque permanent DH guy. I can't wait for his update card.

Coming Tomorrow- I don't know what my pre-planned posts have to offer. If I'm right, it'll be Pat Burrell. If I'm wrong, it'll be Jorge Cantu. I better be right.

Berkman in Pinstripes?

The Yankees and Lance Berkman are one of the same at this point in the year. They're older, stronger, and just need one last guarantee of greatness.

And that's when Lance Berkman agreed to be traded from Houston, the place where he called home for more than a decade now.

Berkman was getting tired of playing every day, it seems. With the Yanks, he can DH, you know, Guerrero style. DH so much you get an All Star nod out of it.

Do I think this is a good deal for the Yankees? Yes. It's an addition of strength to an already strenghtened team. As far as I know, Berk did not take steroids, and can hit pretty damn good, and that's just what the Yankees need.

The Yankees needed this deal. Berkman needed this deal. The Astros will end in 5th place in the NL Central this year (You know, Pirates are 6th).

And if it's another Yankees-Phillies series, maybe Oswalt may go up against his former teammate Berkman.

But still, the Yankees needed a full time DH. And with Berkman, that's just what they got.

(Update- What do you mean it isn't final until 1:00! He's still gonna do it!)