2017 PENNANT BOX BREAK - PACK 2

4. Kevin Gausman

48. Madison Bumgarner

10. Denard Span

226. Roman Quinn

187. Max Scherzer

209. Wil Myers

219. Jonathan Lucroy

115. Gerrit Cole

3. Marcell Ozuna

TB2. Ian Kinsler - Throwbacks

Pack number two introduces insert number two, Throwbacks. I’ve done them twice before since the idea is perfectly suited for the Pennant brand. Featuring players in throwback uniforms is pretty much a no-brainer for retro sets like this. The Kinsler here may be a little weird since the Tigers were wearing uniforms of the Negro League’s Detroit Stars in the picture used here. The other cards in the insert set use the era-appropriate logos of the respective teams. I couldn’t find any kind of Detroit Stars logo so went with a simple red star like the one found on the hats. Hopefully that little background info clears things up in case it looks a little generic. The subsequent Throwbacks cards will help add context after the fact.

2016 Pennant

I've posted the flagship and the "low-end" sets, so now it's time for the retro set. The Pennant designs of the past haven't necessarily tried to emulate a particular era. Basically what I try to do is keep them simple while incorporating design elements and trends that are decidedly un-modern. I think it's a good strategy for me so I don't run into a situation like Topps has with Allen & Ginter and Gypsy Queen designs that are hard to differentiate year after year.

The 2016 version harkens back to the late-'60s, with simple colors and a no-frills typeface (Franklin Gothic Condensed). As I tend to do, the color palette is dictated by the team logos instead of some arbitrary system like you would have found back then. The whites are dulled to represent the old uncoated stock and I added grain to the photos and the color boxes to imitate the look of cards from the era as well.

On the back, I went with a horizontal format for the first time with Pennant. All elements are black & white. The little corner tabs which housed the team and Pennant logos on the front are used for card number and a small player portrait on the back. These are definitely my favorite card backs I've designed for the Pennant brand.

Last year I had a "sepia" parallel but this year's design didn't really lend itself to it. If Spirit ever decided to go the "Chrome/Prizm" route, though, this would definitely be a candidate for it. The autograph parallels are still in existence, as well as the addition of a "jumbo" relic. There probably wouldn't be a parallel of each for every card in the set but the design changes so minimally that calling them parallels works for me.

Of all the designs I've posted here, this is probably the one I'd be most tempted to actually print samples of, especially for in-person autograph purposes. If anybody feels so inclined to do the legwork, I'd be up for the designing.

2014 Spirit Base: 381-390

#381 - Domonic Brown
Dom's starting to look like a bit of a one-season wonder, huh?

#382 - Gerrit Cole
Cole's numbers are a little bit down from last season but he's still a promising pitcher for the Pirates.

#383 - Peter Bourjos
He'd have a great wrestling name: Gorgeous Peter Bourjos

#384 - Seth Smith
Smith's been the Padres best position player by far this season. Good pick up for them.

#385 - Ryan Vogelsong
He might not be back to 2011 or 2012 levels but I'm glad to see he didn't go the full-Lincecum this year.

#386 - Robinson Cano
Cano's power numbers are down but he's still doing well in Seattle. I'm sure its the difference between SafeCo and Yankee Stadium

#387 - Alex Cobb
Looks like he's the Rays ace now that Price has left town.

#388 - Prince Fielder
Let's hope Prince is able to regain his Brewers-era game in 2015. If not, it'll make this trade sting that much more considering I p.c. Ian Kinsler.

#389 - Jose Reyes
I'm glad he can still smile after these last couple seasons.

#390 - Drew Storen
"How's it feel to clinch the NL East again, Drew?"