2015 Spirit Deluxe

The base set for the final Deluxe product of 2015 has arrived. We've done the flagship, the low-end and the retro releases. Here's a look a the "high-end" set, Deluxe.

I decided to go more with a simplistic design instead of the ornate, cluttered stuff that usually passes for "high-end." The cards are cut into 2 team-colored halves with a full-color player cutout jumping off from the background. Player names and team hat logos are in gold foil along the bottom along with a solid stripe making its way around the partial edge.

The back is split but not 50-50 like front, leaving a little room up top for a more intimate photo and space for the player write-up on top of a colorful background below. Also, being a high-end set, there are autographs to be had. There will be insert autos as well but I wanted to start out here with just the base parallel auto. The bottom color half fades to white a little more drastically to make room for the ink but that's the only design difference for the base autos.

More designs to come for the Deluxe set as well as the other Spirit releases.

2014 Spirit Artistry

I decided to bring back the Artistry insert for another year. Just to refresh your memory, it's a small insert set that focuses on pitchers that are particularly adept at confounding hitters. I figured King Felix was a no-brainer for inclusion.

The art here is basically a digital mixed media painting. Again, I've combined the photographs with some brushes and textures in Photoshop to meld the two together. Last year's Artistry cards took too much of my time so I decided to scale back the "painting" part a bit. I did make the title a lot more prominent to help differentiate from 2013.

I ditched the frame on the back and added a close cut of the player's face from the front. There's a soft watercolor wash behind the text. There's also room for the team logo for the first time.

I'm guessing if I do this insert for 2015 I'll have to change things up a bit. I'm not sure I how I can use these same tools and have them look any different than they have thus far.

2014 Gint-a-cuffs: The Epilogue

Well, it looks like I ended up winning Gint-a-cuffs again this year. I guess I should add Jose Altuve to my favorite players list since this extra hit pretty much lucked me into first place. This was my third year to participate and it's my second win. Part of me feels like I should take 2015 off but it's so much fun and, really, what are the odds I'd actually come in first again? Hopefully there will be plenty more participants and we'll all get awesome boxes so nobodies disappointed. Whenever the Commissioner opens up shop next June or so I'll be sure to make note of it here and encourage everyone to participate. I mean, look how easy it is to win! *joking, please don't hate me*

My prize box arrived in the mail Saturday, which was perfect timing. This season, my interest in football has been at its lowest since I was in elementary school. I was probably this close to watching a game or two this weekend until I had some leftover baseball to tweak out on. I unwrapped that sucker and started methodically opening each pack, thumbing through every card to eyeball any that I had yet to see this season. Knowing it would most likely be my final box of 2014 cards, I leisurely made my way through the stack.

Here's an overview of what all was inside. I actually went through and totaled up the score from this box just to see how it would've fared in the rankings. Final score: 202, which was actually less than the "winning" total. You can see the boxloader was a Roberto Clemente Oversized Reprint. I had a stack of SPs, a pretty even amount of Yankees (baseball and non-) and cards from the Favorite Players list. The scoring on the minis seems to have dipped in this box. And my pile of inserts was equal to the number of packs in the box, 24. Now onto the hits....

Here were the first two I pulled. An Allen Craig Full Size Relic with a white swatch. Definitely a step down from the relics I pulled from my first box. The Casey Kelly Auto is nice since I didn't get an autos from box one. But how many Casey Kelly collectors are out there? As for the last, you may notice something odd in the overview pic up there. That hit stack looks a bit tall for 3 hits.

I wish I would've taken a photo of this thing in the pack. I was just too excited to open it, though. It was easily twice the thickness of a regular pack. I think a packsearcher could probably pick it out blindfolded with mittens on.

This is the first booklet card I've ever pulled. And it's of a no-doubt Hall of Famer. Steve Carlton retired just before I started following baseball so I don't really have a firm grasp on where he ranks amongst other HoF pitchers. But he's definitely a worthy HoFer. And this is definitely much more exciting than Mark Trumbo or Hisashi Iwakuma or something.

It's numbered 02/10. And, for some reason, has a jumbo relic of a bat. I'm not complaining, though. This thing is freaking cool. Seeing photos online of booklet cards doesn't really do them justice. I need to restrain myself from opening it up over and over again. Hopefully I can get a case or something for it with relative ease.

I'm really surprised that even with this huge hit, this box scored less than my previous one. It just goes to show you how it isn't all about the hits. And hopefully it gives hope to anyone contemplating whether or not to participate next year. You can still have a great box even if you don't end up at the top of the leaderboard. And you can definitely have a great time, no matter how the cards fall.

Thanks again to the Commissioner, Mark, for all the time and effort he puts into Gint-a-cuffs year after year. It can't imagine the patience it takes to coordinate this thing. It seems odd to reward him with more work but the best way to show my gratitude is to encourage everybody to sign up for the 2015 contest. Unless he'd prefer some cookies or something.

Also, thanks to Topps for ponying up the prize for this thing. I feel like it helps legitimize the card blogging community when they're willing to donate.

2014 Spirit Base: 591-600

After these last 10 cards, I have a little 'contest' to reward those of you that have endured this flood of repetitive posts. But first...

#591 - Kyle Kendrick
Kendrick actually had his highest innings pitched total this season, falling just 1 short of 200. It would have been the first time since 2011 that the Phillies had three pitchers with 200 IP. That was back in the "Four Aces" days, which seem much longer ago than 3 years.

#592 - Gaby Sanchez
I bet the Pirates wish they could've had a full season of Justin Morneau instead of Gaby's sub-.300 OBS.

#593 - Lance Lynn
Lynn had a pretty great season, lowering his ERA a full run from last year and totaling over 200 IP again.

#594 - Carlos Quentin
Kind of a weird angle but definitely unique enough for me to use it without a second thought.

#595 - Joaquin Arias
As much as Bruce Bochy drove me crazy by overplaying Arias during the regular season, I'm surprised and relieved that he's yet to have a plate appearance in this postseason.

#596 - Charlie Furbush
I wouldn't be shocked if he ranks high on the Mariner's jersey sales list.

#597 - Logan Forsythe
So glad to have him out of the NL West.

#598 - Alexi Ogando
Whichever role he finally ends up in, I hope Ogando's able to stick there and thrive.

#599 -  Juan Francisco
I've never noticed how much he looks like a perfect cross between Juan Uribe and Pablo Sandoval. It's uncanny, really.

#600 - Tyler Clippard
That's pretty much how I feel posting card #600 here.


So Series 2 is finally finished! My original plan was to do another 10 cards of each team featuring the season call-ups and traded players but I'm not sure if I have the determination. The way I've been unloading these the last month or so has kinda burned me out a bit. And I imagine it hasn't been that much fun for you "readers" either. So what do you think? Should I soldier through and whiz through Series 3? Or save my time and your time and close the books on the 2014 Spirit base set?

Oh yeah, about that contest. Since I've made 600 different cards here and nobody in their right mind would have feedback on every one of them, I'd like to hear from you which card(s) in particular you think turned out the best. What's your favorite card from Series 1 or 2? Leave me a comment or tweet it to me and you'll be entered to win this 2014 Topps Archives Bill Russell Fan Favorites Autograph.

I'll randomize all respondents and send this one free of charge to one lucky winner. Just give me the card number and player name by the end of Thursday, October 9th and I'll announce the winner on Friday. Thanks for your patience with this project. I look forward to your responses.

2014 Spirit Base: 581-590

#581 - Anthony Bass
I wish the Astros had an actual sunset alternative uniform instead of just using these BP jerseys in the game.

#582 - Kelvin Herrera
After leaving Game 1 on Thursday, Herrera says he'll be ready for Game 3 of the ALDS tonight. I'm sure the Royals would prefer James Shields to go 7 and not need to chance it with Herrera though.

#583 - C.J. Cron
Cron had a decent rookie season and should probably get a few ROY votes.

#584 - Chris Withrow
Add him to the list of pitchers with pitching-related names. (Bob Walk, Grant Balfour, Josh Outman, etc.)

#585 - Jeff Baker
You could probably cut him out of the context of a baseball diamond and place him in a scene like this and he'd fit right in. Apologies in advance for getting that song stuck in your head.

#586 - Matt Garza
INTENSIEST FACE

#587 - Eduardo Escobar
This is a great shot from a unique angle. I couldn't resist including it.

#588 - Anthony Recker
I bet he has some famous relatives.

#589 - Brendan Ryan
Expect the Yankees to sign or trade for a big name shortstop this offseason. No way will they want to go with Ryan for 162 games nexts year.

#590 - Derek Norris
Norris was one of 6 A's to make the AL All-Star team this year. I'm guessing if they went back to the old days of 2 All-Star games each year, that might not be the same number.

2014 Spirit Base: 571-580

And here we finally are. Each team's final card of series 2.

#571 - Addison Reed
Do we have any Diamondbacks fans that read the blog? I hear a lot of outside criticism of how the team is put together and run but I've never really heard a fan's perspective.

#572 - Ervin Santana
I wonder if the Royals would've won the division had they re-signed Santana and had him in their rotation all year. But if that would've happened, the world would've been deprived of that Wild Card game and the first two ALDS games and I think we're all better off having things happen like they did.

#573 - Ubaldo Jimenez
What an enigma. He keeps seesawing between a dominant pitcher and a burning can of garbage. At least he made this awesome commercial possible.

#574 - Jackie Bradley, Jr.
The colors are off on this photo. I tried my best but between the green monster and the grandstand lighting, this isn't the nicest card in the set.

#575 - Justin Ruggiano
I have to say, Ruggiano is quite a photogenic guy.

#576 - Moises Sierra
That's a pretty good bat flip from a guy with some impressive namesakes.

#577 - Aroldis Chapman
I'm glad to see he rebounded after that line drive. This is a pretty cool shot with that underneath angle, too.

#578 - Josh Outman
Probably the best baseball superhero name since Batman.

#579 - Josh Rutledge
Being Tulo's backup, Rutledge should have plenty of chances to show his skills at short and the plate. He still has some work to do.

#580 - Don Kelly
I don't know what it is about Don Kelly but the Tigers seem incapable of parting ways with him. He's been on the team since 2009 despite never posting an OPS+ above 82 in all six seasons.

2014 Spirit Base: 561-570

#561 - Roberto Hernandez
Carmo-carmo-carmo-carmo-carmona chameleon.

#562 - Jeanmar Gomez
Man, do his limbs look short in this photo.

#563 - Jason Motte
I'm thankful for Motte for no other reason than my last name is erroneously pronounced like his 95% of the time somebody reads it. It's entertaining while playing MLB: The Show.

#564 - Dale Thayer
These two are a perfect pairing here. Maybe I should make an All-Facial Hair Team insert next year.

#565 - Angel Pagan
I can imagine how much Pagan's salute must get on the nerves of all you non-Giants fans out there. I still love it because it means that something good just happened for the Giants.

#566 - James Jones
I guess every sport needs a James Jones.

#567 - Ryan Hanigan
I hope that Bud's replacement is able to fix the whole Tropicana Field embarrassment. The Rays and their fans deserve better. It's such a shame that all of their home shots are marred by empty seats in the background.

#568 - Neal Cotts
Cotts was bonkers last year, posting a 1.11 ERA in 57 innings. This year, though, he got rung up for 4.32 over 66.2 innings. That's pretty analogous for the whole Rangers team.

#569 - Steve Tolleson
I'm not very familiar with Tolleson. That may have something to do with him taking every other year off from the majors. Hey, Steve! Stick around, will ya?

#570 - Doug Fister
How did the Nationals swing this trade? I'll never know. How has it not bitten the Tigers in the ass? I have a feeling we will find out pretty soon.

2014 Spirit Base: 551-560

#551 - Josh Fields
If you've heard the name Josh Fields and gotten him confused with the other Josh Fields who used to play football at Oklahoma State before getting drafted by the White Sox, you're not the only one. Even Baseball Reference has a hard time keeping them straight.

#552 - Danny Valencia
Oh, Valencia. It's too bad you didn't stick around past July.

#553 - Fernando Salas
The Angels are really accumulating former Cardinals out in Anaheim.

#554 - Dan Haren
Haren looks set to make at least one postseasons start. Unless the Dodgers get swept of course...

#555 - Reed Johnson
Sounds like an investment firm or something.

#556 - Logan Schafer
Wow, so does that.

#557 - Phil Hughes
I'm sure you've all heard about Hughes' bad luck, missing out on $500,000. I'm sure he'll be okay. He had a great season and he's still set to make $8 million in each of the next two seasons.

#558 - Wilmer Flores
Mets fans are still wondering if Flores is a long-term solution at shortstop. He's still young but he'll need to amp up his offense to make ensure he isn't jettisoned for a better glove.

#559 - Matt Thornton
The Yankees put him on waivers in August, just in time to be claimed by the Nationals. Nice work if you can get it.

#560 - John Jaso
Jaso may not be catching for much longer. Concussions seem to be driving a lot of catchers out from behind the plate.

2014 Spirit Base: 541-550

#541 - Evan Marshall
As a rookie, Marshall had a pretty decent introduction, appearing in 57 games and posting a 2.74 ERA.

#542 - Julio Teheran
After his own strong rookie season, Teheran was even better in 2014. He was arguably Atlanta's ace.

#543 - Jonathan Schoop
I bet Schoop will be happy to finally play in a game with the whole country watching. It's sure to cut down on the number of people who refer to him as "SHOOP."

#544 - Mike Carp
It'd be sweet if the league had Mikes named Gar, Pike, Brill, Bass, Cod and Sole. An All-Fish team.

#545 - Mike Olt
I still wish the Rangers could've kept Olt on board, especially considering how the Matt Garza thing didn't exactly work out.

#546 - John Danks
I'm always happy to find a pitcher photo that isn't just the same old windup shot.

#547 - Sam LeCure
He needs some eyeliner and stringy hair, imo.

#548 - Carlos Santana
He needs a perm and fedora, imo.

#549 - Nick Masset
A question for all you Rockies fans reading: Do you all call him the Masset Hound?

#550 - Joba Chamberlain
Joba's really making for lost time spent under the Yankees' "clean shaven" restrictions.

2014 Spirit Base: 531-540

#531 - Jimmy Rollins
Rollins is a free agent after the 2015 season. I wonder if he'll have a good contract year and the Yankees will throw a bunch of money at him, even though he'll be 37.

#532 - Jeff Locke
Have you heard this story about one of Locke's childhood "friends"? It's kinda fascinating and pretty alarming.

#533 - Allen Craig
Craig had a bummer of a 2014. Maybe a long offseason will help him turn it around next year.

#534 - Will Venable
I'm kinda bummed that one of his eyes is covered up by his glove but I had to use this photo anyway. Cool shot.

#535 - Tim Hudson
I really hope Hudson's late-season turd impression was just a result of him being a little worn out. The Giants have the least reliable rotation of the playoff teams unless all the old guys magically get right now that the regular season is over.

#536 - Tom Wilhelmsen
The Mariners came close but didn't quite make the postseason. I'm sure this offseason will be one of the most optimistic their fans have had in a long time.

#537 - Yunel Escobar
Maybe it's the anonymity of playing in Tampa, but I haven't heard anything negative about Escobar since he joined the Rays. I guess he grew up a little bit?

#538 - Kevin Kouzmanoff
Kouzmanoff only played in 13 games for the Rangers this season but he made such a splash I had to give him a card here. He actually won a Player of the Week award during his short renaissance.

#539 -  Drew Hutchinson
Hutchinson had an encouraging 2014 campaign after missing all of 2013 for Tommy John surgery.

#540 - Scott Hairston
Hairston finished the season below the Mendoza Line and struck out in a third of his at-bats. Still, he gets a card.

2014 Spirit Base: 521-530

#521 - Dexter Fowler
This photo almost looks posed. Cool shot, though.

#522 - Omar Infante
Congrats to the Royals and all the Royals fans for finally making it back to the playoffs. I moved to Northwest Arkansas, so I'll be going to a lot of Naturals games in the future. Since they're the Royals AA-affiliate, I think my AL allegiance will probably shift from the Rangers to Kansas City.

#523 - Hector Santiago
The Angels finally went out and got some starting pitching depth last offseason. And what do you know, they're finished with the best record in the majors.

#524 - Juan Uribe
Man, if he weren't a part of the Giants' 2010 Championship team, I'd REALLY hate jazz hands here.

#525 - Jarrod Saltalmacchia
This isn't the most exciting shot but I had to take advantage of a usable Marlins photo that actually includes blue in their gear.

#526 - Will Smith
Luckily the Will Smith photo base I was looking through had the images listed chronologically. And THE Will Smith hasn't been in any movies lately. Unfortunately there also seems to be a rugby player and a cricket player with the same name, along with the NFL player. No matter, I was still able to find this one on the second thumbnail page.

#527 - Josmil Pinto
It'd be great if this guy could find his way back into baseball and work his was up to the Twins. That'd be an awesome battery with Josmil Pinto.

#528 - Eric Young, Jr.
I wasn't sure if the 'Jr.' suffix was necessary or not. But I figure since Senior is still around in the league and stuff, better safe than sorry.

#529 - Brian Roberts
Roberts made it until early August with the Yankees before they decided to end the experiment, acquiring Stephen Drew from Boston.

#530 - Stephen Vogt
Time to believe in Stephen Vogt.