Monday, September 22, 2014

2914 Spirit Base: 431-440

#431 - Scott Feldman
Feldman's been a decent starter for Houston this year. He'll help eat up some innings the next couple of seasons while the Astros young guys get better.

#432 - Salvador Perez
Probably the best catcher this year in the state of Missouri.


#433 - Raul Ibanez
I feel like there's probably some hidden Ninja Turtles story about an uncle named Raul.

#434 - Josh Beckett
It's hard to believe that the current edition of Josh Beckett was the one to toss his first no-hitter instead of the bad ass from 10 years ago. Almost as weird as Lincecum tossing 2 since he fell into the stinkhole.


#435 - Casey McGehee
Another blast from the past. McGehee's OPS+ is sitting right at 100, which is league average. The last time he was at 100 or above was 2010! Yet he was still up for the All-Star Final Fan vote in July. Even though I root for a team that has Ryan Vogelsong in its starting rotation, I'm still amazed at all the out-of-nowhere comebacks in 2014.

#436 - Ryan Braun
It'll be hard to tell if Braun's decline is a result of him not "juicing" or if it's just plain aging. I bet I know which one most people will believe. I'm still on the fence I guess.


#437 - Samuel Deduno
Deduno may or not be making an appearance in Series 3. He's on the Astros now but we'll see how much room there is on the checklist for a middle reliever to get his second card.

#438 - Curtis Granderson
Grandy's numbers have taken a bit of a dip since leaving Yankee Stadium.


#439 - Jacoby Ellsbury
Hard to believe Ellsbury's only been an all-star once in his career. (2011)

#440 - Luke Gregerson
Literally the only photo I could find of him in an A's uniform that would work for these cards.

2014 Spirit Base: 421-430


#421 - Mark Trumbo
This dugout shot is kinda unique so I figured I'd go with it to stave off redundancy.

#422 - Aaron Harang
He's basically Bartolo Colon minus the comical at-bats. Who had him penciled in for double-digit wins before the season started?


#423 - Delmon Young
Believe it or not, he's actually played some games in the outfield this season. Even on an AL team!

#424 - Edward Mujica
He didn't quite pan out this season like I'm sure the Red Sox were hoping he would. Much like the rest of the club I guess.


#425 - Anthony Rizzo
Rizzo kind of looks like an adult-sized baby in this pic. I think it's the chubby cheeks and thunder thighs.

#426 - Chris Sale
Man, I have such a hard time finding Chris Sale photos to use. Not because there aren't plenty of options but because each one looks so friggin' awkward and painful. It's hell trying to fit all of his limbs into frame without shrinking down the whole photo. Here's a suitable alternative.


#427 - Brandon Phillips
I hear Cardinals' fans aren't too crazy about dat dude.

#428 - Corey Kluber
Kluber's a dark house Cy Young candidate this season. Leading the AL in FIP, second in WAR for pitchers and strikeouts, top 5 in wins, ERA, innings pitched and shutouts.


#429 - Brandon Barnes
The Rockies should wear more purple. If nothing else, ditch the black hats for purple every game.

#430 - Joe Nathan
Better than Valverde I guess.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

2014 Spirit Base: 411-420


#411 - Marlon Byrd
How often do the Phillies wear these blue helmets? They look good.

#412 - Pedro Alvarez
Pedro's having a bit of a down year after 2013's breakout season.


#413 - Shelby Miller
I wonder if he'll actually see any postseason action this year...

#414 - Nick Hundley
Hundley will be seeing plenty for sure with the Orioles.


#415 - Madison Bumgarner
Had to break out the regular/non-extended version of the font for Bumgarner here. I was really tempted to go with a snot rocket photo but decided against it.

#416 - Logan Morrison
I haven't heard anything about him for a while so I guess he isn't rubbing Mariners' fans the wrong way like I thought he might.


#417 - Jake McGee
It's so hard to write something about every card.

#418 - Neftali Feliz
Man, has his stock fallen since 2011. Maybe if he can stay healthy and the Rangers will keep him in the bullpen he can regain his success.


#419 - Dioner Navarro
He looks like some guy they just pulled of the street and stuck the gear on in this photo.

#420 - Stephen Strasburg
Strasburg looks kinda normal here. Good for him.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

2014 Spirit Base: 401-410


#401 - Chris Carter
Guessing this was a post-walkoff drenching shot. I'm sure one of his 36 homers this year have been game-enders.

#402 - Mike Moustakas
Looks like he's landed by on his feet after a year of ups and downs. Let's hope he turns it around enough to help the Royals make the playoffs.


#403 - David Freese
I wonder why he kept one of his batting gloves on?

#404 - Zack Greinke
Poor form by Greinke here, dropping a deuce right there on the mound.


#405 -  Ed Lucas
Not a lot of photo options for ol' Ed here.

#406 - Tyler Thornburg
That's some nice looking leather there.


#407 - Kurt Suzuki
Hey, Suzuki was an all-star in 2014! Who woulda guessed it?

#408 - Bartolo Colon
It's really kind of amazing how competent Colon still is after all these years. If he weren't, it'd be too mean to laugh at stuff like this.


#409 - Carlos Beltran
What do you think, Hall of Famer?

#410 - Brandon Moss
Not sure my green recoloring job here is the most believable. Oh well.

2014 Spirit Base: 391-400


#391 - Miguel Montero
Pretty cool shot with his gear on and mask up.

#392 - Luis Avilan
I had a hard time finding photos of Avilan. I know he's not a marquee name or anything but he's been pretty good for the Braves.


#393 - Ryan Flaherty
Flaherty may have to fill in for Machado in the postseason. That's gotta be a bummer to O's fans.

#394 - Dustin Pedroia
Somehow, Pedroia is pulling off the turtleneck look.


#395 - Jason Hammel
Man, the A's are gonna be stacked in Series 3.

#396 - Adam Eaton
Pretty good illustration of Eaton's speed here.


#397 - Todd Frazier
I know Frazier's more known for his prowess at the plate, but this was just too cool of fielding shot to pass up.

#398 - Lonnie Chisenhall
That's a lotta Ls and Ns.


#399 - Juan Nicasio
I present the "I just saw my mom naked" pitchface.

#400 - Anibal Sanchez
 Last year's AL ERA leader, it's shot up almost a full run this season. 3.46 is still pretty damn decent.

Friday, September 19, 2014

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?"

2014 Spirit Base: 371-380


#371 - Marc Krauss
I wonder what the binary code in the background says.

#372 - Jeremy Guthrie
This is a really cool photo with the angle of his follow through and the lighting and everything.


#373 - Tyler Skaggs
Another starting pitcher to have season-ending surgery.

#374 - Matt Kemp
When I came across these dugout shots I knew I had to use one. Trying to keep every card from looking like another in the set is difficult.


#375 - Jeff Mathis
Here's some BButt for all interested readers out there.

#376 - Rickie Weeks
I'm sure Brewers' fans are counting down the days until Weeks is gone.


#377 - Kyle Gibson
Pay no attention to the empty seats in the background. This was from an actual MLB game.

#378 - Daniel Murphy
Something about this looks familiar...


#379 - Brian McCann
Him going to the Yankees was too perfect.

#380 - Jim Johnson
Boy, did this move backfire for Oakland or what? It'd be a shame if his bad juju followed him to Detroit...

Thursday, September 18, 2014

2014 Spirit Base: 361-370


#361 - Trevor Cahill
That follow through looks like he's beginning a curtsy.

#362 - Gavin Floyd
Floyd was actually pitching pretty well this season before the season-ending elbow surgery bug bit him.


#363 - David Lough
Well from the looks of this photo I'd say the Orioles got at least something positive from this trade.

#364 - John Lackey
I finally figured out who John Lackey reminds me of.


#365 - Jeff Samardzija
#366 - Adam Dunn
When making this checklist I had no inkling that these two would end up as teammates in Oakland this very same season. So look for them in Series 3 I guess.


#367 - Alfredo Simon
What a surprise season from this guy.

#368 - Zach McAllister
His pitchface looks like he's trying to keep some snot from seeping out of his nostrils. Or maybe that's what he's really doing.


#369 - Troy Tulowitzki
Nice acrobatic shot. Added bonus of Puig getting a foot to the head.

#370 - Rajai Davis
Looks like Rajai is gonna pull a Hot-N-Ready out of the oven when he gets back to the dugout.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

2014 Spirit Base: 351-360


#351 - Cliff Lee
Cliff better put a hat on. It's always sunny there.

#352 - Neil Walker
Walker's having the finest season of his career so far.


#353 - Kolten Wong
Looks like he's finally up to the majors for good.

#354 - Tyson Ross
Probably the biggest bright spot for the Padres this year.


#355 - Brandon Belt
What a strange season for Belt. He started off like gangbusters, then naturally cooled off, then broke his thumb in May. After he finally returned in July, he dealt with a stiff back for a few weeks before getting hit during batting practice. Since then he's been out with a concussion. Then just a couple of days ago he was finally activated, though he's yet to see any playing time. I had such high hopes for his 2014 season after that hot start. Now I just hope he's able to stay healthy and contribute in some way.

#356 - Hisashi Iwakuma
Though not quite as revelatory as last year, Iwakuma's been good again this season. Lo and behold, the Mariners have a chance to make the playoffs.


#357 - David DeJesus
I've been looking for a good bunt image to throw in here but I think DeJesus is the first I've actually used.

#358 - Tanner Scheppers
Probably the unlikeliest of Opening Day starters. And after spending the post-April season mostly on the DL, the Rangers have already announced he'll be a bullpen guy in 2015.


#359 - Colby Rasmus
I have a hard time finding good defensive shots of outfielders that show them actually catching the ball. I had no choice but to use this one of Rasmus here.

#360 - Rafael Soriano
This was probably the least obnoxious clap photo he has out there.

2014 Spirit Base: 341-350


#341 - Jarred Cosart
Cosart was decent with the Astros but he's been great since being traded to the Marlins. (And I was worried about having enough cards for Series 3...)

#342 - Danny Duffy
What an great name.


#343 - Mike Trout
It's funny how Trout's 2014 batting average is under .300 and OBP is under .400 yet this will be the year he finally wins MVP.

#344 - Scott Van Slyke
Really good lighting for this photo.


#345 - Garrett Jones
Thus concludes the "men holding bats" portion of the checklist.

#346 - Wily Peralta
I know Wily's not pronounced how it looks but I really hope he starts getting called "The Coyote."


#347 - Josh Willingham
Former Twin, current Royal.

#348 - Dillon Gee
Sifting through all his photos, Gee has that scared "oh my god, please don't hit it" look on his face for every pitch.


#349 - Michael Pineda
Hmm, that palm looks awfully clean there...

#350 - Josh Donaldson
Every single A's photo needs recolored since I want the greens to match. I don't mind it though since that kelly green looks so damn good.