Custom Card of the Day: Dickey Edition

I know this one's kinda long awaited, as Dickey hopping the border to Canada was one of the offseason's biggest moves. Now, about a few weeks after I should have, here I am showing you my Dickey.

Aim the boos and spoiled tomatoes at the chest. Keep my face out of it.

All jokes only 13-year-olds find funny aside, Dickey's move to the Jays was one of the biggest of the offseason, as New York's decision not to resign him was incredibly bold. It's not like he just won the Cy Young or anything, guys. Then again, after what the Rays did to the man that threw their only no-hitter, I'm not surprised.

Dickey's 2012 season was one to remember, as it was one of the finest showings from a knuckleballer since Phil Neikro and Charlie Hough ruled the roost. Also, it was a commanding presence from one of the worst teams in the league, containing a pitching staff comprised of two injured pitchers, a few pitchers no one has heard of, Chris Young, and someone resembling, though not confirmed to be, Mike Pelfrey. So it was a pretty big deal.

It's very odd why the Mets would just show him the door, but I can understand they're too busy giving David Wright money to be the 3rd or 4th best 3rd baseman in the league, so it fits. Keep such classic players like Ruben Tejeda and Daniel Murphy in exchange for letting go one of the best pitchers of the year.

It's not like I'm bitter or anything, I'm just confused that the Mets would have done that. Maybe they saw that R.A. wouldn't have quite the season he had this year than he will in 2013, which very well might happen. Still, if they held onto him, it would have been much more advantageous in my opinion.

Alright, I'm getting off my soapbox. Please don't hurl anymore tomatoes at me as I lower them. I mean the Mets fans no harm whatsoever. I just think they should have kept him is all.

Coming Tomorrow- Thanks to the incompetence of zimbio's staff, my supply is running low. So low that a B-lister Korean player recently traded to another side of Ohio is finding himself in the first three weeks of customs. For the second year in a row.

Custom Card of the Day: Swisher Edition

(Two Indians, No Yankees. I know. Blame Zimbio)

In early 2009, Nick Swisher came to the Bronx. I had absolutely no idea what to think. Sure, he was okay with the A's and White Sox, but I really had no idea how he'd fare for my team. And in his four seasons, he was actually pretty awesome. He had hits, homers, and was a hell of an onfield personality. Even if he wasn't the best, he was still fun to watch, and for that he was pretty awesome.

Still, like I said, he wasn't the best out there, which is why he signed with another team this year: the Indians, whose last trip to the postseason was only propelled by a bunch of flies.

I think Nick will be a nice fit for the Indians, as they're the kind of team that can reward his goofy, awesome style of play. A lot of people think he won't do too well, I think he'll at least have a decent enough time of it. I mean, I doubt he'll be as big a star he was with the Yankees, but he'll still be pretty good.

Coming Tomorrow- One of the big ones. The knuckler that fought to keep his dignity, and his relevance.

Custom Card of the Day: Lee Edition

Though my Yankees are a series of question marks, I feel like the Phillies are going to do slightly better this year. Why? Because for once, they followed our lead and went younger.

They have a younger outfield, some new blood in the pitching staff, and some more overall power. I feel like they can try their hardest to repeat with this team. And the pitching staff is still as good as before. Lee is still around, and hopefully he can rebound from a poor 2012. Him and Halladay are going to need to be at their best this season in order to truly thrive.

I really don't have too much else, but the Phils need to be better.

Coming Tomorrow- An ex-Yankee, stranded on a faraway mideastern city, with nothing but a pair of sunglasses and his trusty ego.

Custom Card of the Day: Panda Edition

 

First of all, I think this card's pretty cool. Just the massive size of Pablo's torso makes this one.

The 2012 Giants were a great team, and one that was well developed, moreso than the 2010 team. They were stronger, better on the mound, and more consistent. 

They also kinda won because a lot of other teams lost. But that's besides the point.

 It's too early to say how their 2013 offering is going to be, as the team is slightly different, but hopefully they'll have a nice run. Pablo Sandoval is just too much of a fun player to have a down season. I know a lot of Dodger fans hate him, and want him to go back to the Panda Express logo where he belongs, but I think he's a neat 'little' player. 

Besides, what kinda of player gets the moniker 'Kung Fu Panda' if so many people hate him. That name, like those movies, are intentionally lovable.

Coming Tomorrow- Finally, our first Philadelphia Phillie of the year. A pitcher who really needs a comeback (which really could be any of them).

Two Rack Packs and a $10 box of Topps Series 1

I'm one of those poor souls that, immediately arriving upon a gigantic mall such as the Palisades, only wanting to find someplace with cards. So, I swung by the Target and picked up some. And it was some pretty nice stuff, as I found a lot of base cards I needed.

Rack Pack 1-
191- Chris Capuano.
227- Jose Altuve. On the short list of reasons the Astros can somehow succeed. And yes, pun intended.
70- Todd Frazier, Pt. Pleasant man
126- Dan Uggla, whom Braves fans really want to get back to the stuff he was doing in 2011.
36- Jered Weaver. He is always either yelling or making a weird face on a card. Here he does the latter.
112- Mark Reynolds. Strikeout King.
23- Jemile Weeks, who needs to return to the family business.
100- Mike Moustakas
86- Henry Rodriguez RC
305- Shelby Miller RC
187- Nick Marone RC
111- Casey Kelley RC
Calling Cards of...RA Dickey. I have that one.
181- Jeff Keppinger.
248- Colby Lewis
192- Javier Lopez. Not the former Braves catcher
18- Mitch Moreland
53- Alex Cobb
68- Colby 'Why did I get cornrows' Rasmus
201- Jonny Venters
302- Aaron Hill
200- Scott Downs
81- Leaders
269- NLDS Gmae 5
203- WIIIILLLSOOOOOON Ramos
297- Michael Saunders EMERALD SHINY
Chasing History of Matt Kemp
Chasing the Dream of Jose Altuve. Funny, we were just talking about you a short time ago...
1972 Matt Kemp mini. I still love these.
CODE CARD! LET'S SEE WHO I GET:
Ryan Ludwick. Not bad, not bad at all
SHINY Chasing History of Roberto Clemente. These inserts are kinda awesome
SHINY Chasing History of CHIPPAH Jones
182- Randy Choate
156- Dillon Gee
160- Stephen Drew, now on the...sighhh...
92- Clint Barmes

Rack Pack 2-
33- Cliff Lee. Excellent Way to start
147- Ivan Nova. Nice
320- Michael Young. How do we go from Phillie to Yankee to current Phillie. In one pack? In three consecutive cards?
281- David Hernandez. Good grief, he hasn't given up yet?
134- Jake Arrieta. That stache.
69- Scutaro NCLS. Got it
249- Vance Worley. Got it
272- Leaders
148- LJ Hoes RC. What an unfortunate name.
199- Avisail Garcia RC
Cut to the Chase of...DEREK JETER! I finally got one of these that wasn't a Ranger!
323- Michael Brantley
215- Gordon Beckham
279- Vicente Padilla
168- Kyle Farnsworth, and his shades
211- Jarrod Parker
184- Geovany Soto. Bleagh
123- Rickie Weeks, who needs to get back on top
80- Ryan Zimmerman
11- Yu Darvish, who's still kinda awesome
55- Tim Lincecum, who needs a MAJOR comeback
283- CC ALDS
157- Carter Capps
90- ANDY PETITTE Cl
216- Josh Willingham EMERALD SHINY
Chasing History of Ted Williams. That's actually pretty nice. He's one of the few Sox I don't hate
Chasing the Dream of Addison Reed
Adam Jones 72 mini
CODE CARD! Let's see who I get:
Aramis Ramirez! Yeah! He needs to hit.
SHINY Chasing History of A-ROD. He had a lot of help chasing history, I guess
SHINY Chasing History of Evan Longoria. He's sorta slumping as of late
144- Jason Bay
198- Chris Coghlan
289- Jeremy Guthrie
239- Ramon Santiago

And now the box...
16- Andre Ethier. Nice way to start it off
52- CC Sabathia!
137- Edinson Volquez
34- FELIX Hernandez.
29- The slightly less overrated Adrian Beltre
325- Kevin Millwood. Jeez, he's still playing?
230- David Robertson, whose trust is failing
306- Jerry Hairston
104- Jed Lowire
273- Dexter Fowler, who really needs to accomplish something
195- Chris Heisey
291- Ryan Sweeney
331- Holy crap, I got the Reyes! It was shortprinted or some crap, but I got it! WOOOO!
119- Chris Davis
81- Leaders
269- NLCS Game 5
3 doubles
3- EMERALD SHINY HUNTER PENCE! NICE!
Chasing History of Tom Seaver. Nice!
Chasing the Dream of Devin Mesoraco
Cut to the Chase of...another Ranger, Yu Darvish. Must be some Rangers fan getting all the Yankees and Phillies
Pablo Sandoval Calling Card
RA Dickey 72 mini.
5 doubles
71- Kyle Kendrick, the Other Guy in the Phils' Rotation
31- Jose Tabata
208- Kurt Suzuki, still fighting for the Nats
154- Sergio Romo, World Series Hero
217- Brian Matusz, who should still be starting
264- Roy Halladay CL
87- Mike Olt RC
78- DYLAN BUNDY RC. That's a nice one.
296- Didi Gregorius RC. Just for my inner child's sake, I hope he gets on a team with someone named Dexter.
8 doubles. Jeeez
293- Jeff Karstens
117- Aubrey Huff
5 doubles. A bit silly now
CODE CARD! Let's see who I get:
Ike Davis! Yeah, he's pretty good
141- Carlos Santana. Also sings.
22- Clayton Kershaw. That's pretty awesome
213- A-ROD. Credibility gone.
75- Barry Zito. Nice.
258- Doug 'Why oh why hath somebody forsaken me with this last name' Fister
159- Felipe Paulino
221- Heath Bell, crappily photoshopped into a D-Backs uni
312- Scott Hairston
231- Melky Mesa RC. Hopefully will do better for us than the last gut named Melky
268- David Lough
247- Luis Perez
99- Paco Rodriguez rc
SHINY Chasing History of Lance Berkman, now on the Rangers
SHINY Chasing History of a badly photoshopped Mark Buehrle
SHINY Chasing History of RICKEY HENDERSON!
SHINY Chasing History of HANK! AARON! THAT IS AWESOME!

All in all, pretty nice cards. A lot of stuff I needed.

Custom Card of the Day: Hosmer Edition

(First of all, I love this card)

Poor Eric Hosmer. He's on one of the league's least profitable teams, his lineup never does anything, his team's pitching staff is mediocre, and he's been touted as a high-end prospect and has yet to break out. A lot of sad stuff going on.

I mean, I get that all of Kansas City is sorta on him to do well, but you can't really help but feel sorry. Still, I kinda believe in him. I think he's gonna do well in 2013. I don't know if his Royals will, but I think he'll have a decent enough year.

(I have nothing else. This post was cooked up last minute.)

Coming Tomorrow- One of the reigning World Series champs. Skadoosh.

Custom Card of the Day: Trout Edition

Those poor souls in the AL Central. No teams too big to succeed. No teams too competitive to lose. No teams that could sink like the Titanic. Must be boring over there.

Trout is just another piece of the powerful Angels lineup, growing stronger day by day. For one thing, you have most likely the most powerful outfield in all of baseball. Hamilton to Pujols to Trout is a combination any man would kill for. Also, you have a really impressive pitching staff, and a nice speedy infield.

Trout is the centerpiece of it all. He's young, speedy, and is one of the more impressive outfielders out there. So what if he gained a little weight over the offseason? Not like he's gonna go full on Brando or anything. He still can hit, he still can play his position, and he's still a fun player. I think it's gonna be an interesting sophomore season.

But the Angels look like they're either going to do well, or fail miserably. There's no middle ground for them.

Coming Tomorrow- I know I've been AL-heavy the whole week, but here's another AL star suiting up for a bleak-looking squad, and hoping to finally break out.