Custom Card of the Day: Young Edition

The A's couldn't wait for the season to end to make the first move of the offseason, and they chose well, nabbing the second-in-command of the strong D-Backs.

I think Chris Young is the outfielder that Oakland needs right now. Yeah, they made the postseason last year, but the same team can't make lightning strike twice. Maybe they need a team that can get past the Tigers, or defeat the Yankees. Young's outfield work might help them do that. Also, he's fast, adding more speed.

Still, I'm not entirely sure if the A's are going to be great again this year. The Angels and Rangers are going to try very hard to be great (whether they fail or not is beyond me), and the Mariners and Astros are going to try desperately hard to stay out of last (see the last part of the sentence). The A's...whatever happens to them needs to be decided by them getting ahead, not everybody else falling behind. If they lead the division by their own efforts, it might be a very fun postseason for them.

Coming Tomorrow- 1/3 of the Angels' outfield. Yes, I am going to be that vague.

Custom Card of the Day: Wright Edition

(For those of you counting, yes, I have made an Indians custom, a Mets custom and a Rangers custom before a Yankees, Phillies or Orioles custom has even surfaced. I blame Zimbio)

Poor, poor Mets. You really can't help but feel sorry for them. Even if they have a strong resurgence, they'll still have to contend with three really strong teams for the helm of the division.

And I say this with all the respect in the world for the Mets. Being a Phillies fan and tolerating the Mets is very rare, especially 20 minutes outside of Philly, but I don't hate the Mets. I think David Wright is a fun player, and I think the team will have some potential in maybe 5 or so years. But as of right now, they're kinda screwed.

The Phillies, Braves and Nationals will all most likely be stronger than the Mets, because all three have had some time to compose themselves, and form a strong teams. Maybe with less emphasis on Philadelphia, but either way.

I could be wrong. The Mets could have a fantastic season, surging under people like Lucas Duda, John Buck and Dillon Gee. Wright could stay healthy the whole time. So could Ike! The Braves and Nats might fail miserably. The Phils might end in third, like we're all thinking. It could go any way this year, even in favor of the Mets.

Still, I hope for the best, and I hope they don't finish in last.

Coming Tomorrow- One of the two D-Backs outfielders to split for a stronger team. This one stayed on the west coast, and added another outfield arm to a eternally-underdoggish team.

Custom Card of the Day: Pierzynski Edition

 

Believe me, I know how random this is. I do an Adrian, a Buehrle, and a Bourn, and that's all well and good. However, even purists are gonna be confused by me putting AJ Pierzynski on the first week of customs. It's almost as foolish as...signing him to a long term contract.

But, truth be told, I really have no apprehensions upon putting an aging player on a new team, like AJ, in the first week, or month. Why? Because miracles have happened before.

In the first week of 2011 customs, I posted a Lance Berkman, and thought it was odd. That year he has an amazing season, and helps propel his Cardinals to a World Series.

In the first few weeks of 2012 customs, I posted a Carlos Beltran, and called him a cheap way to replace Pujols. In reality, he was an EXPENSIVE way to replace Pujols, having an amazing season, getting an All Star nod and a jolt to his fading career.

So, could me posting AJ's card here save his sure-to-be-a-failure 2013 season? Maybe. It has happened before. This doesn't necessarily mean it'll happen again, as a pattern here at Mint Condition is that once a pattern is pointed out, the fates turn, and soon enough it is no longer a pattern. And the fact that the previous sentence makes no sense is, in itself, a pattern.

In any case, I could be dooming AJ's season as we speak, and he could have worse numbers than Kris Humphries' math test. Nevertheless, posting his card here may either make his season a great one, or an awful one. Because posting great stars in their 30's on the first week, and watching those stars have a pitiful season, is also a pattern here at Mint Condition. Also becoming a pattern- pointing out patterns. But, I digress.

If you really need a reason for me to post an AJ Pierzynski card during the first week of customs...just look at the card. There's your reason.

Coming Tomorrow- The Mets' third baseman. Why? Because it's the first week, and I can do whatever I want. Sensing a pattern here?

Custom Card of the Day: Buehrle Edition

 

(checks if the spelling's right one more time)

Today, I made five customs. They were all scrapped from a pretty nice shooting day from Zimbio, and they all were pretty cool. Of those five customs, including Buehrle here, not one of them are among the players I thought I'd be making during the first week of customs.

Okay, I lied. One player. He won't be up for a few days, when it is no longer the first week of customs. But still, this week will be filled with...the others. No Greinke, no Hamilton, no Youkilis, no Reyes. Just other people, who still are good at baseball, but not the kind of people you'd want to see during the first week.

Still, I won't deny Buehrle's accomplishments. He's a great pitcher, one whose luster hasn't vanished with a change of teams, which has befallen so many pitchers of his caliber. He actually had a relatively decent season with Miami last season, though the team sorta tanked. Now that he's one of the stars of a jammed Toronto team, he really has no choice but to perform like he did 5 years ago. 

And yes, I'm fully aware what he did five years ago, in July. Toronto would like more of that.

Coming Tomorrow- Another setback of a big-star-less First Week- people who you'd never expect to be featured in the first week. Like the starting catcher for Your Noticeably Depleted 2013 Texas Rangers.

Custom Card of the Day: AAAAAADRIIIAANN Edition

No, this isn't a rerun from 1991. It's a custom of Adrian Gonzalez, but it's a new, Spring Training custom. And one that has a much better outlook for the Dodgers if you know what happens in 1978.

It's a weird decision for your second custom to be a guy who isn't really in a new uniform, but it's all zimbio's giving me, and they ain't giving me much.

Coming Tomorrow- I need to make more, so who knows.

P.S.- If anyone out there knows of a place that has current spring training photos, unwatermarked, without pay, that isn't Zimbio, please let me know. Every since Daylife went out, I've been struggling.

I'd say you've waited long enough

I'll say that this is the first 'first custom of the year' not to be a pitcher, but either way, it's Michael Bourn. It's one of the bigger deals of the offseason, and one of the few that actually played today.

So there. Customs are back. Parade about it in the streets. Dance around the house. They won't be going away for another 10 months.

Coming Tomorrow- I have no idea. That's the thrill of spring training.

Some more Topps Series 1, and Topps Magic Football

Well, I've been meaning to get some cards for a while now, and I finally got some. I kinda went all out, getting a $10 box of Series 1, three packs, and three packs of Magic Football, because I loved that set in 2010.

Magic Pack 1-
4- Jason Pierre-Paul. Decent start, as I met him. Big, imposing guy, but really nice
171- BenJarvis Green Ellis, aka Law Firm
Magical Moments of Antonio Brown. I like this insert set.
149- Jarius Wright mini
81- Philip Rivers. I really like the design, but not as much as the 2010 version.
6- Matt Cassel, currently out of a job.

Pack 2-
144- Greg Childs
146- Chad Greenway. Already a Vikings pack
251- Joe Flacco, the Super Bowl MVP, and local hero.
72- Joe Montana mini
12- Patrick Willis, another imposing player I met.
79- Davone Bess

Pack 3-
128- Jim Kelly. That's a nice pull, as he's a big deal.
Rookie Enchantment of Kendall Wright. I really like these inserts
148- Jim Kelly mini. Weird
38- TJ Graham rookie
214- Dexter McCluster. Dunno if he's gonna make it big.

Topps Series 1 pack 1-
151- Alex Rios, hopefully used less next season.
116- Brian McCann. Sorta lost his luster, but will have a decent season, possibly
108- Kendrys Morales. Oh great. Doubles
44- Anthony Rizzo
149- Yovanni Gallardo
282- Russell Martin. Typical collation
97- Danny Espinosa. I don't have him, but he sucks
Code Card. Let's see who I get:
Wilin Rosario, backup catcher for the Rockies. Can't you just feel the excitement?
(My other code from my first box yielded Jay Bruce, which is much better)
285- Addison Reed
66- Daniel Nava
307- Norichika Aoki
324- Cameron Maybin

Pack 2-
38- Brian Wilson. Have it
133- James Shields. Have it
120- Ian Desmond
210- Vernon Wells
225- Will Venable
136- Tyler Clippard
232- Jake Odorizzi, rookie
Drew Smyly Chasing the Dream insert. I like these.
187- Nick Maronde RED
129- Ike Davis. Nice, a card I don't have
114- Casey McGehee
205- Ryan Theriot

Pack 3-
275- Johnny Cueto
135- Eric Hosmer
255- Josh Johnson
329- Rafael Soriano. Man, the collation's been really crappy
88- Jamey Carroll
10- Adam Jones. That's better
253- ADAM GREENBERG RC! NICE!
172- Nyjer Morgan
Chasing History of Johan Santana. I like these too
295- Brandon League
259- Bartolo Colon and His Cuban Mystery Cream
60- Jon Rauch

And now, the Cereal Box (and this is some good stuff):
308- Desmond Jennings.
43- RA Dickey, now pitching for the Blue Jays, and not as well as 2012 at that
122- Andrew McCutchen. The card has his dreadlock-ness swinging at the plate. REMEMBER THIS NOW.
240- JJ putz
214- Curtis Granderson
8- Ryan Braun, whose career's likely been tainted
289- Jeremy Guthrie
239- Ramon Santiago
323- Michael Brantley, lord of the dance
215- Gordon Beckham, yet to actually do anything
279- Vicente Padilla. Good gosh, he's still playing?
23- Jemile Weeks, Rickie's better brother
100- Mike Moustakas, the 2nd banana to Hosmer
283- CC Sabathia ALDS Game 5.
157- Carter CAPPS (See what I did there?)
249- Vance, the Vannimal Worley, rocking a Phils throwback, and soon to be rocking a Twins uniform.
69- Marco Scutaro NLCS Game 7
122- Andrew McCutchen...only this time he's catching a fly ball and not swinging. One of these two cards is a short print, dunno which one.
37- Max Scherzer EMERALD SHINY
Rod Carew Chasing History, which is awesome
Tommy Milone Chasing the Dream
Cut to the Chase of Nelson Cruz. Hate the guy. Love these cards
Nolan Ryan 72 mini. Still love these.
CODE CARD. Let's see who I get:
David Murphy, outfielder for the Rangers, king of awesome card poses. Not bad.
257- Mike Minor
62- Tommy Hunter
25- Mark Teixiera. It's also his uniform number. Woo!
107- Joe Mauer, who needs to have a better season this year.
59- John Axford, who had a less than memorable season
219- Josh Beckett! Happy he's not a Red Sock anymore
324- Cameron Maybin. Hello.
307- Aoki. double
295- League, double
259- Colon, double
60- Rauch, double
129- Ike, double. Nice job, Topps
231- Melky Mesa rookie. That's muuuuuch better.
268- David Lough
247- Luis Perez
99- Paco Rodriguez
264- Roy Halladay checklist. Doc needs to rebound in 2013.
87- Mike Olt
301- Jarrod Saltolomacchia, settling into the backstop for Boston
206- J-ROL
54- Jaime Garcia
236- Joe Nathan
18- Mitch Moreland
53- Alex Cobb
144- Jason Bay. Homers in 2009: 36. Homers in tenure with Mets combined: 26.
198- Chris Coghlan. Still undeserving of 2009 ROY title
119- Chris Davis
81- Leaders
269- NLDS Gmae 5
112- Mark Reynolds. Either he strikes out or he gives you gold.
105- Freddie Freeman RED
16- Andre Ethier RED
52- CC SABATHIA RED
137- Edinson Voloquez RED
34- FELIX HERNANDEZ RED. Nice bunch of reds.
128- Buster Posey! This is awesome
218- Ben Zobrist
328- Jayson Werth
327- Jhonny Peralta
285- Addison Reed. Hello again
66- Daniel Nava
286- Jurickson Profar RC. NICE!
303- A-Rod cl. Meh
303- A-Rod cl. AGAIN??
Chasing History Roy Halladay SHINY. AWESOME
Chasing History Hanley Ramirez SHINY
Chasing History Frank Robinson SHINY. AWESOME
Chasing History David Wright Shiny. Great end to the pack

Well, that was pretty awesome.