Custom Card of the Day: Jones Edition

You have to feel bad for the Orioles: they can't help it, they're just facing a crummy division. You have the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, three teams who normally play musical chairs ever September for a spot in the playoffs. Then you have the Blue Jays, who, while not terrible, are still good enough to stay out of last. I'll say that if they were in any other division, the Orioles would have a sliver of a chance of staying out of last. But sadly, year after year they'll continue to be bested, hopefully until the three other teams start sucking, and the Jays stop being better than them.

Every season I go out to an Orioles game, get some cheap seats with a friend of my dad's, and enjoy the game. Because the Orioles are a fun team, with no care for winning or losing, they're just a fun team to watch. Adam Jones acts as a bit of a ringleader- he's a great outfielder who's quick and can hit pretty well. In other words, he's the dreadlockless version of Andrew McCutchen. Although it's nice when he's really on his game, and it's always a joy to watch him side-bump with Nick Markakis every time they win.

Coming Tomorrow- Last season it was CJ Wilson. Now, there's a new pitcher in Texas that has come out of nowhere and is dominating the mound.

100 Years Later...they're still terrible

One Hundred Years ago this past Saturday was the night that the Titanic gracefully descended into the waters below, as James Cameron led us to believe. Six days later would be the maiden voyage of the site of another perpetually sinking ship known as the Boston Red Sox. Fenway Park turns 100 years old today, and the big day is being celebrated by Eric Chavez jumping out of a cake and promptly hitting two homers against them.

While I kid the Red Sox, you have to admit it's been a very good 100 years. Legends such as Babe Ruth, Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr have graced the field, and only the former has won a World Series. Classic World Series' such as the 1918, 2004 and 2007 have ended in triumph, while the ones in 1967, 1975 and 1986 have ended in defeat.

Aside from players, a huge, slobbering pack of fans call Fenway its home. The only thing they love more than the Red Sox is watching the Yankees lose, and said event has, unfortunately for me, occurred numerous times. But, I imagine, most Boston fans are very nice people, and treat opposing fans with general kidding around, right up until the point where they finish their third beer.

I have never experienced a Red Sox game at Fenway, and though I am very curious, I will likely travel their incogneto in a Boston jersey, preferrably one of a legend, than in my Jeter. Because then I'd just be asking for it. That's not to say I have a problem with Boston fans- I have some family up there, and an old college friend of my dad's happens to live up there (but he's a story for another post). Hell, there are even a few Sox fans in my town- one girl in my Spanish class always comes in with Boston colors. So I don't hate the fans-- just the team.

So I guess it's kinda nice that Fenway's turning 100, and the ballpark is very high on my list of Stadiums I need to visit (behing Wrigley and Great American Ballpark, the latter I might visit this summer). And as much as I love making fun of the Red Sox over and over (and over and over), I still can stop and appreciate that they've been going strong for 100 years.

Okay, scratch that. They've been going strong for about 10 years, but the other 90 the mailed it in and went weak.

(P.S.- Please don't kill me, Boston fans)

Custom Card of the Day: Kemp Edition

The Dodgers are first in their division, and even THEY can't believe it. Well, it's mostly due to the fact that the two teams below them are staying below, and the two teams projected above them have faltered. But somehow they've managed to stay up there, batting down the Giants, the D-Backs and the sportswriters. And I really hope they stay up there. It's not everyday that a newly rejuvenated team shoots to first. I have highest hopes for Matt Kemp, and I hope he continues hitting.

Coming Tomorrow- I need to make more.

Custom Card of the Day: Heyward Edition

This season there have been four surprises in the NL East, okay maybe five.

One- the unpredictable ascent of the Washington Nationals.
Two- The Pretty-Much-Predictable decline of my own Philadelphia Phillies
Three- The Titanic Decline of the Miami Marlins
Four- The Entirely Impossible start of the New York Mets
Five- The fact that the Young, Strong Atlanta Braves are stuck in the middle.

This is completely ridiculous. How come the teams that were supposed to do well are sucking, and the teams that were supposed to suck are doing well? The only thing that's gone on as predicted is the Braves landing in 3rd, too good to be in last, and not good enough to be in first.

Believe me, this isn't the only prediction that's gone haywire. The Angels are last in their division right now, The Rays are last in THEIR division right now, tied with Boston, and the Dodgers are leading the NL West. It is a crazy first three weeks. Nobody can believe anything that's going on, especially in the NL East.

Another surprise- Jason Heyward has yet to become the household name he was destined to be. And it's a shame: after a stellar rookie season, he was destined for a huge career, then was saddled with a sophomore slump last year. The guy has talent. His team really needs him, and they sure as hell don't need another David Justice, or another Mark Lemke (I know, how dare I say his name in vain.) They need Jason Freaking Heyward, and they need the one from 2010.

Whether they'll get him or not is beyond me. But you never know; if Jason Heyward gets back to his old self, it won't be the craziest happening in the NL East.

Tomorrow- Meanwhile, all the way on the other side of the country, Some form of magic is happening to a struggling team, and I'm not just referring to their new owner. Their big star is on the slate for tomorrow.

Custom Card of the Day: Choo Edition

I can't believe I've never made a custom of this guy. Well...he's sat out portions of the last few seasons with injuries, but other than that, he's been one of the better hitters in Cleveland. He's good at his position, and the fans love him to death. I feel that since the Indians are coming off to an okay start, now'd be a good time to showcase the Choo-Choo Train in all his glory.

Coming Tomorrow- After a lackluster sophomore season, one of the hundred Atlanta youngsters tries to reestablish himself as the J-Hey Kid.

Custom Card of the Day: Gordon Edition

I think the man above is one of the most fun-to-watch up-and-comers in the league right now. He steals bases, he makes awesome plays at second, and he's quick on his feet. The Dodgers are lucky to have him, and they needed a good second baseman.

Coming Tomorrow- I need to make more. Any Requests?

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What was that? A-Rod Sucks? Well is your favorite player 5th on the all time home run list?

Memo to Mays, Ruth, Aaron and Bonds: Watch out!