Year by Year Customs: 1987

 

 This one's a very special custom. Sure, it's a custom of someone who only played one game, but who cares about that? It's a portrait of resiliency, of perseverance, and determination. Adam Greenberg's story is one of the most inspiring of the year, and if I don't customize that then I'm overlooking him.

I find it even better that he just signed with Baltimore. This is the return he needed.

 

Texas' last hope in the rotation.

 

Isn't this card awesome? I think it's a great display of the comeback season Rodney had.

 

Not shown: cornrows.

Coming Tomorrow- Our first 90's design.

Two Asymmetrical Packs of Topps Prime Football

Over the last two years, the recurring set that has surprised me the most is Topps Prime Football. Every year, though the design has changed, it has remained a well formed, picture-driven set. I loved the 2010 version, and last year's wasn't bad either. Let's see how this year's does in comparison. I picked out two rack packs--one standard, the other a four-packer.

Rack-pack 1-

120- Rob Gronkowski. And, already, I get a Patriot. Thrilling.
37- Patrick Willis, one of the nicer guys in pro-football.
100- Peyton Manning, pictured as a Bronco. A potential MVP candidate, too.
86- Joe Flacco. He's a Jersey guy. Funny story, one time I saw him leaving a California Pizza Kitchen I was eating at.
129- LeSean McCoy, who I wish was having a better season.
67- Isaiah Pead RC
46- Kendall Wright RC
31- Ryan Mathews, trying his best to make the Chargers relevant
32- Mike Wallace, unrecognizable from his 60 minutes days.
68- Marshawn Lynch.
44- Alex Smith. Having a great season.
10- Cam Newton. His team's bad season is not his fault. He's still a great QB.
5- Nick Foles, who's actually been doing pretty nice for us.
9- TJ Graham

Reg. Pack 1-
3- Jason Pierre Paul, one of the few Giants I met earlier this year
56- Hakeem Nicks, who was with JPP
41- Marques Colston, whose Saints have fallen a bit
95- Jermichael Finley, bound to be released by the end of the year.
Primetimers insert of Ndamukong Suh. Funny, because the last time he was on prime time he kicked Matt Schaub in the nuts.
109- Dontari Poe RC
136- Ryan Broyles

Pack 2-
118- Percy Harvin, who was having a great season until he got hurt
8- Dez Bryant
54- Tony Gonzalez, a Future Hall of Famer for sure
80- Arian Foster
55- Adrian Peterson, having an amazing season.
38- Alshon Jeffery, who did my fantasy team a detriment this season
107- Melvin Ingram

Pack 3-
146- Frank Gore
24- Andre Johnson.
35- Laurent Robinson. I thought this was Maurice Jones-Drew. Shows what I know about the Jags.
20- Eli Manning. What a great QB.
22- Tim Tebow. PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
34- Mohamed Sanu
96- Dwayne Allen

And now, the three paralells-
97- Michael Vi...(facepalm). Okay, I wanted an Eagle, just not that one.
146- Frank Gore.
96- Dwayne Allen

This is a pretty nice set, overall. Very well designed. It's like Topps' tribute to Sweet Spot.

Year by Year Customs: 1986

 

 I freaking love this card. It symbolizes everything great about Pagan and the Giants, and it's a fitting sequel to last year's Brian Wilson. That and a few others are tonight's.

 

Had a nice comeback year.

 

 

Coming Tomorrow- One of my favorites, and a very special custom that I've been waiting weeks to reveal.

Year by Year Customs: 1985

 

I know I missed yesterday, but every rampant customizer needs a day off. Besides, I had a few things that prevented me from getting customs done. Good news is that I have the next few days of customs all completed.

That Ellisbury card is nice. I really don't hate him...as much as I hate Pedroia and Ross.

 

Traded to the ever-growing Nationals

 

 

Coming Tomorrow- Another nice, easy design.

Year by Year Customs: 1984

 

I've been saving this one since the playoffs, as the Braves were supposed to do well in those. Huh. At least you get this one now, along with some other 84s

 

Fun Fact: Whenever I hear a Santana song on the radio, I'll always end up saying "Now batting for your Cleveland Indians, the catcher, Carlos...Santana."

 

 

If you're counting, I've customized both of the Colorado catchers, and not a single Yankee catcher. Funny how that turned out.

Coming Tomorrow- Another simple 80's design.

Year by Year Customs: 1982

 

First of all, I freaking love this card of Wieters. Partly because he's tagging out Pedroia, but mostly because it's an action shot that Topps will never replicate. As much as I want them to.

That's just the topper on this bunch of 82s

 

This guy has grown into a pretty nice hitter.

 

 

This was supposed to be John Lannan, but I couldn't find any shots of him from this year. So settle for the Nats' 5th starter.

Coming Tomorrow- A personal favorite set of mine.

Year by Year Customs: 1981

 

Sort of a slow day in comparison to yesterday's lineup. Still, I love this design, and I used a few teams I hadn't before for it.

 

I feel like he's done the best out of the Oakland Three from back in the day, with Barry Zito coming close behind. 

 

Now a member of the Royals.

 

Coming Tomorrow- Another great 1980's design.