Pardon me while I take care of a little admin duties to add to my sidebar...
2008 Masterpieces Need:
92,93,94,101,102,103,104,105,107,108,110,111,112,114,115,118,119,120.
We now return you to your (irregularly) scheduled blog
Friday, April 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Boston Starting Rotation
I know, I know, where is the Dice-man anyways? Well, while the team expects him to be able to make a start somewhere around mid-April, but until then I have to go with the cards that I am dealt. So without further ado.................................................................................................................................................................................................................
your 2010 World Champion Boston Red Sox starting rotation...
#1 Josh Beckett. Word on the street is that Beckett is progressing in contract negotiations already, which normally goes against team negotiation norms. So ol' number 19 maybe be around for a bit longer. He is the anchor that makes the team go, but it is always a toss-up how steady that anchor is from season to season. I think he will make a fine #1, but there is always a solid option at the #2...
Jon Lester. One of my favorite players in all baseball, and a would-be #1 starter for many other teams in the league. I like him in this spot though because most matchups should favor him at least slightly to heavily in some cases. Of course you can't win if you don't score, so it will be up to the guys to determine just how good of a season that Lester can produce. I predict a terrific year.
your 2010 World Champion Boston Red Sox starting rotation...
#1 Josh Beckett. Word on the street is that Beckett is progressing in contract negotiations already, which normally goes against team negotiation norms. So ol' number 19 maybe be around for a bit longer. He is the anchor that makes the team go, but it is always a toss-up how steady that anchor is from season to season. I think he will make a fine #1, but there is always a solid option at the #2...
Jon Lester. One of my favorite players in all baseball, and a would-be #1 starter for many other teams in the league. I like him in this spot though because most matchups should favor him at least slightly to heavily in some cases. Of course you can't win if you don't score, so it will be up to the guys to determine just how good of a season that Lester can produce. I predict a terrific year.
#3 - John Lackey. Alright, alright, this will be my last "Horse Face" post. The dude has some monster chompers though, and he normally grits them as he is mowing down teams batters. Saw it too many times over the years AGAINST my team, so I guess it is nice that he take it out on the other teams for a change. He has had some injury woes over the last couple years though, so it is up to him and the trainers to keep him healthy.
#4 - Tim Wakefield. I am unapologetic about this one. Yes, Wakefield was instrumental in the 2004 championship, and yes his knuckler can throw a kink in hitters timing in a series, but his health has been an issue for about 25 years now and it really is creating a barrier for guys like Clay Buchholz to find a permanent spot in the rotation. I think that Wakefield would work out great as a middle-reliever or an occasional set up guy...hell, it might even keep the strain off of his back through the grueling schedule. Of course he has been just mowing them down in spring training...but March is not August and September when they need consistency the most.
#5 - Clay Buchholz...well speak of the devil...Mr Buchholz gets to start the season. Key word is "start" because as soon as Dice K is ready to roll, I believe Clay will be headed back to Pawtucket, where he probably has established a permanent home at this point. I believe their are two scenarios that will play out this year...one of the Sox starters (my guess is Dice or Wake) get shut down for an extended amount of time and Clay gets the bump, OR Clay gets traded this year...I think both are equally likely. While I certainly don't hope for injuries, this kid deserves to play...somewhere.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
My first 1/1 is...an Oriole?
Today I stayed home with Jacoby because his daycare was closed for the day. After some breakfast and a nice, long morning nap, we decided to run a few errands and head out to the ol' card shop to chew the fat for awhile. Fully mobilized Jacoby has now discovered the dollar rack is well within his little grasp, so he is getting be quite a handful. But he grabbed a couple cards that I thought were pretty cool, and they WERE going to be the subject of this blog, but those will have to wait until tomorrow.
While at the shop I decided to grab a box of cards to open during Jacoby's second name. I perused the shelf and stumbled upon a discounted box of T206. I have always regretted giving away my only three T206 relics. I really enjoyed the casings, but alas I had a Yankee, a ranger, and an old mill Ichiro that turned into a good trade for me. But I missed those suckers, plus I have not heard of a ton of great stuff appearing out of this product yet, and with the luck I have at this shop, I figured it was worth the chance. Here are the hit results...
The one and only cased-relic of the box turns out to be a dandy. Not only is it Old-Mill, which is a step up from Piedmont, but it is also of future HOF Chipper Jones. This, apparently, is a piece of his All-Star jersey from 2008. I cannot remember any of these other relics ever being so specific, but I will take their word for it. A good start!
Johnny "Comeback Kid" Cueto auto. While I have a couple Cuetos in the treasure chest already, it is always nice to add another, and also nice to see that he is getting more consistent with his signature! 
Then I flipped it over, and it took a few seconds for my eyes to spot the number...
Oh my! My first official 1/1 pull! My Orioles mojo has been insane lately. From Markakis Letterman, to Markakis/Roberts dual auto, to Ripken pants to Ripken gold-bordered #/10, and now the first and only Carolina Brights I have ever seen. Dumbfounded!
While at the shop I decided to grab a box of cards to open during Jacoby's second name. I perused the shelf and stumbled upon a discounted box of T206. I have always regretted giving away my only three T206 relics. I really enjoyed the casings, but alas I had a Yankee, a ranger, and an old mill Ichiro that turned into a good trade for me. But I missed those suckers, plus I have not heard of a ton of great stuff appearing out of this product yet, and with the luck I have at this shop, I figured it was worth the chance. Here are the hit results...
The one and only cased-relic of the box turns out to be a dandy. Not only is it Old-Mill, which is a step up from Piedmont, but it is also of future HOF Chipper Jones. This, apparently, is a piece of his All-Star jersey from 2008. I cannot remember any of these other relics ever being so specific, but I will take their word for it. A good start!
Johnny "Comeback Kid" Cueto auto. While I have a couple Cuetos in the treasure chest already, it is always nice to add another, and also nice to see that he is getting more consistent with his signature!Done?
Nope.
Out of the same pack as Mr Cueto, a mini slips on to the table. Immediately I noticed something different about it, it has a dark border around it while all the others are light. What the?
Then I flipped it over, and it took a few seconds for my eyes to spot the number...
Oh my! My first official 1/1 pull! My Orioles mojo has been insane lately. From Markakis Letterman, to Markakis/Roberts dual auto, to Ripken pants to Ripken gold-bordered #/10, and now the first and only Carolina Brights I have ever seen. Dumbfounded!
I should stay home more often!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Around the horn!
"Where's he been"? you may or may not have been asking over the last several days. Well, "He" has been completely and utterly addicted to the PS3 and MLB The Show and working so feverishly to learn how to read pitches and hit a curveball, that "He" has had nary a free moment to dedicate to blogging. Not only that, but I (oops, did I break tense there) did not even rip a single pack of cards, nor travel to the card shop. SMACK! I gotta wake up and do some blogging!
So I am eagerly awaiting the Sunday night season opener. I know that probably 98% of people out there have Red Sox/Yankees lash and could care less about Sunday night, but I always watch the Sunday night opener, no matter who plays. We cook up some brats with sauerkraut, beans, potato salad, beer, and peanuts and dig in for the game. Then this year I have finally decided to take Monday off to watch all of the aces go head-to-head. Needless to say it has been a LONG spring training and I am ready to get the party started.
Barring any last-second issues, I believe that the Red Sox starting lineup and batting order should be set...so I present the 2010 World Champion Boston Red Sox...
Batting first, Red Sox all-time single season steals leader, LF Jacoby Ellsbury. I am very excited for Jacoby this year, I think the move to left field fairly non-eventful considering the short porch. Basically if you know how to play that wall, then you will succeed. I think a better fit would be out in the vast expanse that is right field, but I would not be surprised to at least see Ellsbury play some center field on occasion this year. I also am willing to bet that he can break that steals record again...
Batting second, little pony, 2B Dustin Pedroia. What can you say, he is a former MVP with some pop in his bat, speed, and sheer grit. Looking forward to seeing many gapper doubles and caroms off the monster.
Batting third, the new backstop, power-hitter C Victor Martinez. Okay, so he had a bit of a tryout last season, but we'll just pretend he is a new addition. It is the end of the Varitek era, and that can sometimes be hard to swallow, but I cannot think of a better replacement. Plus hopefully VMart plays some occasional 1B so Varitek can see a bit of action this year as well.
Batting cleanup, YOOOUK!!! 1B Kevin Youkilis. Probably one of the most polarizing players on the team, but if he is on your side you love him. He can be a bit intense at times, which was a stark contrast to Kevin Millar who helped patent many creative handshakes with the bunch of idiots, but you can't argue Youk's defensive abilities, which are going to be a major theme with this squad. Plus he has the monsters number.
Batting...5th? Big Papi DH David Ortiz...Ortiz is a bit of a wild-card this year, also it is promising to see him in the 5-hole considering all of his troubles last season. It remains a mystery how he will come out of the gates this season, but if he can find his form then he can protect Youkilis while Youkilis protects Vmart. Still a household favorite 'round these parts.
Batting 6th, RF JD Drew...Damn you Drew...you are one of those players who I desperately want to replace, then suddenly you go on a tear hitting, or making amazing catches in right field...and just when I start to trust you again you go and get hurt. I am not too concerned though, there is this fella named Josh Reddick who is ready to burst onto the scene in right as needed.
Batting 7th, 3B Adrian Beltre...talk about an awkward situation with Lowell playing that last couple days, playing for an audition with another team. Lowell seems to be handling it well though, and Beltre...does he even talk....I have not heard a word from him since he was signed a few months back. I honestly don't know a ton about his batting ability since his suspicious monster year in LA, but all of the Mariner fans 'round these parts rave about his defense, so if he can handle hot box, more power to him!
Batting 8th, 'ol crooked hat himself, CF Mike Cameron. Speed speed and more speed....and a hole in his bat. What an interesting choice to add to the team this year. I honestly don't have a ton to say about Cameron, but I have always followed his activity through Seattle, San Diego, and Miliowwakkie, so at least he is on my radar. It will be interesting to see how he pans out. At the very least he should be a base stealing threat and should add a dent or two into the wall.
Batting 9th, SS Marco Scutaro. I know little to nothing about this man, so I won't even pretend I do. I hate Toronto, I hate their field and their damn fans blowing on horns the whole game (Oakland, you are on notice too), I hated Halladay, and I really did not follow that team at all. BUT, if the Red Sox truly believe that this is the answer to the revolving SS door, then that's fine...but I don't believe it for one minute. At this rate the Sox will never solidify that spot. It's kinda like the red shirt on "Star Trek", Murphy Brown's admin assistant, or Kenny on "South Park". I just ain't gunna work out.
So I am eagerly awaiting the Sunday night season opener. I know that probably 98% of people out there have Red Sox/Yankees lash and could care less about Sunday night, but I always watch the Sunday night opener, no matter who plays. We cook up some brats with sauerkraut, beans, potato salad, beer, and peanuts and dig in for the game. Then this year I have finally decided to take Monday off to watch all of the aces go head-to-head. Needless to say it has been a LONG spring training and I am ready to get the party started.
Barring any last-second issues, I believe that the Red Sox starting lineup and batting order should be set...so I present the 2010 World Champion Boston Red Sox...
Batting first, Red Sox all-time single season steals leader, LF Jacoby Ellsbury. I am very excited for Jacoby this year, I think the move to left field fairly non-eventful considering the short porch. Basically if you know how to play that wall, then you will succeed. I think a better fit would be out in the vast expanse that is right field, but I would not be surprised to at least see Ellsbury play some center field on occasion this year. I also am willing to bet that he can break that steals record again...
Batting second, little pony, 2B Dustin Pedroia. What can you say, he is a former MVP with some pop in his bat, speed, and sheer grit. Looking forward to seeing many gapper doubles and caroms off the monster.
Batting third, the new backstop, power-hitter C Victor Martinez. Okay, so he had a bit of a tryout last season, but we'll just pretend he is a new addition. It is the end of the Varitek era, and that can sometimes be hard to swallow, but I cannot think of a better replacement. Plus hopefully VMart plays some occasional 1B so Varitek can see a bit of action this year as well.
Batting cleanup, YOOOUK!!! 1B Kevin Youkilis. Probably one of the most polarizing players on the team, but if he is on your side you love him. He can be a bit intense at times, which was a stark contrast to Kevin Millar who helped patent many creative handshakes with the bunch of idiots, but you can't argue Youk's defensive abilities, which are going to be a major theme with this squad. Plus he has the monsters number.
Batting...5th? Big Papi DH David Ortiz...Ortiz is a bit of a wild-card this year, also it is promising to see him in the 5-hole considering all of his troubles last season. It remains a mystery how he will come out of the gates this season, but if he can find his form then he can protect Youkilis while Youkilis protects Vmart. Still a household favorite 'round these parts.
Batting 6th, RF JD Drew...Damn you Drew...you are one of those players who I desperately want to replace, then suddenly you go on a tear hitting, or making amazing catches in right field...and just when I start to trust you again you go and get hurt. I am not too concerned though, there is this fella named Josh Reddick who is ready to burst onto the scene in right as needed.
Batting 7th, 3B Adrian Beltre...talk about an awkward situation with Lowell playing that last couple days, playing for an audition with another team. Lowell seems to be handling it well though, and Beltre...does he even talk....I have not heard a word from him since he was signed a few months back. I honestly don't know a ton about his batting ability since his suspicious monster year in LA, but all of the Mariner fans 'round these parts rave about his defense, so if he can handle hot box, more power to him!
Batting 8th, 'ol crooked hat himself, CF Mike Cameron. Speed speed and more speed....and a hole in his bat. What an interesting choice to add to the team this year. I honestly don't have a ton to say about Cameron, but I have always followed his activity through Seattle, San Diego, and Miliowwakkie, so at least he is on my radar. It will be interesting to see how he pans out. At the very least he should be a base stealing threat and should add a dent or two into the wall.
Batting 9th, SS Marco Scutaro. I know little to nothing about this man, so I won't even pretend I do. I hate Toronto, I hate their field and their damn fans blowing on horns the whole game (Oakland, you are on notice too), I hated Halladay, and I really did not follow that team at all. BUT, if the Red Sox truly believe that this is the answer to the revolving SS door, then that's fine...but I don't believe it for one minute. At this rate the Sox will never solidify that spot. It's kinda like the red shirt on "Star Trek", Murphy Brown's admin assistant, or Kenny on "South Park". I just ain't gunna work out.
Though deep down I feel that if I beat the man down, then he will prove me completely wrong and DOMINATE.
Starting rotation pitchers tomorrow!
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