Casual Cards XXXI : Josh Johnson

Casual Cards XXXI - Josh Johnson 2012 Bowman #119

I liked Bowman this year, and this year also saw the new logo for the re-branded Miami Marlins.

Johnson will begin 2013 with the Blue Jays.

Johnson's Stats:

Games Played: 154
Innings Pitched: 916.2
Win - Loss: 56-37
Earned Runs: 321
Strike Outs: 832
ERA: 3.15
WHIP:  1.23

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MJ

Casual Cards XXX : George Kell

Casual Cards XXX - George Kell 2001 Fleer Greats #46

Kell was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 by the Veterans Committee.

Kell's Feats: 

10 x All Star
1949 AL Batting Title
Average: .306
Hits: 2054

He died in 2009 in the same town he was born (Swifton, Arkansas).

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MJ

Casual Cards XXIX : Ike Davis Gold

Casual Cards XXIX : Ike Davis 2010 Topps update #US-14 Rookie Debut Gold /2010

Rookie Debut April 19th 2010, Drafted 18th overall in the 2008 draft by the Mets.

Davis had a good 2010, a better 2011 but struggled last year.

His Stats:

Games Played: 339
Hits: 295
Runs: 159
RBI's: 186
Homers: 58
Average: .252

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MJ

Casual Cards XXIIX : Bob Stanley

Casual Cards XXIIX - Bob Stanley 1979 Topps #597

A classic 70's Topps Card.

Stanley was apart of the 1986 World Series Dissaster for the Red Sox.

His Stat's:

Games Played: 637

Complete Games: 21

Innings Pitched: 1707

Win - Loss: 115-97

Saves: 132

Earned Runs: 690

Strike Outs: 693

ERA: 3.64

WHIP: 1.36

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MJ

Casual Cards XXVII : Ricardo Aramboles

Casual Cards XXVII - Ricardo Aramboles 2000 Just minors #102

Seen here as a part of the Yankee's farm system, Aramboles was last affiliated with a MLB team back in 2004 with Cleveland.

I like these set's some interesting photo's of future stars and those who never made it.

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MJ

Casual Cards XXVI : Jason Kipnis

Casual Cards XXVI - Jason Kipnis 2012 Topps Gold Futures GF-25

A really nice design from Topps here, they put a lot of work into the Flagship this year.

Jason Kipnis was selected by Cleveland in the 2nd round of the 2009 Draft.

Kipnis' Numbers: 

Games Played: 188
Hits: 189
RBI's: 95
Home Runs: 21
Average: .260

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MJ

Casual Cards XXV : Manny & Glavine

Casual Cards XXV - Manny Ramirez & Tom Glavine 2004 Donruss Leather & Lumber Rivals #LLR-22 /2499

Two stars, One sullen by steroids, one by the Players Strike.

A nice card showing an Indian & a Brave. 0311/2499.

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MJ

Casual Cards XXIV : Brandon Snyder RC

Casual Cards XXIV - Brandon Snyder RC 2011 Topps Heritage #99

A rookie in 2011, Snyder was drafted by the Orioles in 2005 with a first round pick.

Gotta love Heritage, although I'm not looking forward to future years designs mainly when they get to the late 80's.

Snyder has signed a minor league contract with the Rangers, with an invitation to Spring Training.

Snyder's Numbers: 

Games Played: 56
Hits: 27
Average: .276

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MJ

Casual Cards XXIII : Wes Hodges

Casual Cards XXIII - Wes Hodges 2011 Topps Pro Debut #187

Drafted by the Indians in 2006, he was claimed off waivers by the Rockies, but 2 days later was reclaimed by Cleveland. He was released in 2011.

 I like Pro Debut, as the hobby is focusing more on minors with every year that passes.

No MLB time for Hodges as of yet.

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MJ

Casual Cards XXII : LA Lakers

Casual Cards XXII - LA Lakers 2010 Donruss #290

I like team cards, here's one of the most iconic teams in world sports.

Team Checklist, some huge names there.

Here's how the Lakers did in 2010-11

Win - Loss: 57 - 25
Win %: .695
2nd in Western Conference
Lakers were swept by eventual champions Dallas in the Conference Semi Finals.

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MJ

Casual Cards XXI : Len Dykstra

Casual Cards XXI - Len Dykstra 1990 Donruss Diamond Kings #7

Dykstra has been in the headlines over the past couple of years, for his active lifestyle.

Dykstra's Highlight's:

Average: .285
Hits: 1298
RBI's: 404

3 x All Star (1990, 1994, 1995)
World Champion (1986 NY Mets)
Silver Slugger Award (1993)

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MJ

Casual Cards XX : George Bell

Casual Cards XX - George Bell 1989 Donruss

Nice retro look, reminds me of sweet wrappers from my youth.

Bell's Highlights:

Average: .278
Homers: 265
RBI's: 1002

3 x All Star (1987, 1990, 1991)
3 x Silver Slugger (1985, 1986, 1987)
AL MVP (1987)

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MJ

Casual Cards XIX : LeSean McCoy /299

Casual Cards XIX - LeSean McCoy 2011 Panini Plates & Patches #72 /299

McCoy was drafted #53 overall in 2009 by the Eagles.
Born in Pennsylvania, and attended Pittsburgh college. Still only 24.

 A nice card numbered 188/299.

McCoy's Rushing Stats: 

Games Played: 58
Rushes Attempted: 835
Rushing Yards: 3866
Rushing Touch Downs: 30
Rushing Fumbles: 8

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MJ

Casual Cards XVIII : Austin Meadows USA

Casual Cards XVIII - Austin Meadows 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects 100

Meadows was a beast in the 2011 World Youth Championship, with at least 24 RBI's.

I like USA cards, He featured in the 16U National Team in 2011.Home town of Grayson, GA will he be on the Braves radar?

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MJ

Casual Cards XVII : Josh Beckett Relic

Casual Cards XVII - Josh Beckett 2007 UD Game Memorabilia #UD-BE

Beckett joined the Dodgers in 2012, after Boston were woeful in 2012.

Like the design and card stock used.

Beckett's Feats: 

3 x All Star: 2007, 2009 & 2011.
2 x World Champion: 2003 & 2007 (Marlins & Red Sox)
World Series MVP: 2003 (Marlins)
ALCS MVP: 2007 (Red Sox)
Babe Ruth Award: 2003 (Marlins)
This Year in Baseball Pitcher of the Year: 2007 (Red Sox)

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MJ

Casual Cards XVI : Jonathan Papelbon

Casual Cards XVI - Jonathan Papelbon 2009 UD Goudey #30

This is a marmite product, some players look good some damn right awful.

Papelbon is now with the Phillies although he's the Red Sox all time Saves leader.

Papelbon's Stat's:

Games Played: 466
Innings Pitched: 499.1
Earned Runs: 130
Strike Outs: 601
Win - Loss: 28-25
Saves: 257
Holds: 7
WHIP: 1.02
ERA: 2.34

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MJ

Casual Cards XV : Ryan Tannehill RC

Casual Cards XV - 2012 Topps Finest RC 135

Dam Marino will probably be the first name on any Dolphin's fans lips, but he never won a Super Bowl can Tannehill?

Gotta love Finest, only downside slight bend.

Tannehill's Stat's: 

Games Played: 16
Win - Loss: 7-9
Completed: 282
Attempted: 484
Pass Completion %: 58.3
Yards: 3298
Touch Downs: 14
Interceptions: 13
Fumbles: 9

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MJ

Casual Cards XIV : Allen Craig 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen #201

Casual Cards XIV : Allen Craig 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen #201

I like Gypsy Queen but this is just A&G, put it back as an insert in A&G or use it's design for certain players in A&G, IE Rookies or Hall of Famer's.

Nothing special about the back here:

Craig's Stats: 

Games Played: 238
Hits: 235
Runs: 121
Homers: 37
RBI's: 150
SB: 7
Average: .300

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MJ

Casual Cards XIII - Jason Grilli

Casual Cards XIII - Jason Grilli 2009 UD Series 1 #121

Grilli played the last two years with the Pirates.

I like UD and can't wait for the Topps monopoly to be over!

Grilli's Stats: 

Games Played: 330
Innings Pitched: 448
Earned Runs: 216
Strike Outs: 389
Win - Loss: 21-25
ERA: 4.34
WHIP: 1.41

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MJ

Casual Cards XII - Robinson Cano

Casual Cards XII - Robinson Cano 2011 Bowman #116

Cano is one of the best Yankee's, and turns plenty of double plays.

Cano's Stats: 

Games Played: 1214
Runs: 718
Hits: 1459
Homers: 177
RBI's: 715
SB: 31
Average: .308

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MJ

Casual Cards XI : Elton Brand

Casual Cards XI - Elton Brand 2010 Panini Rookies & Stars #12

Power Forward for the Mavericks, here Brand is with the Sixers.
though he started his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls.

As always Panini's design is spot on.

Brands Stat's (up to 9th January 2013)

Games Played: 892
Rebounds: 8282
Assists: 2034
Blocks: 1656
Steals: 843
Points: 15944
FG%: .501
FT%: .739

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MJ

Casual Cards X - Jeff Harris RC

Casual Cards X - Jeff Harris RC 2006 UD Artifacts #80

These cards look good and scan well.

I had the Red Sox and Mariners in a group break from the Dimwit blog here.

Harris' Stat's: 

Innings Pitched: 57
Earned Runs: 27
Strike Outs: 26
Win - Loss: 2-5
WHIP: 1.25
ERA: 4.26

Now a pitching coach in the Indians organization.

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MJ

Casual Cards IX - Tim Lincecum RC

Casual Cards IX - Tim Lincecum 2007 SP Rookie Edition #124 RC

These cards look good to the eye not the scanner.

Lincecum was the talk of baseball winning the NL Cy Young award in 2008 & 2009. He has cooled off a bit now but has two rings with the Giants.

Lincecum's Stat's so far:

Innings Pitched: 1214
Earned Runs: 447
Strike Outs: 1317
Win - Loss: 79-56
WHIP: 1.23
ERA: 3.31

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MJ

Casual Cards VIII - Mark Osborne

Casual Cards VIII - Mark Osborne - 1999 Bowman #135

Osborne never made it to the Majors or even AA ball.

 Not a bad design, but nothing stands out, Let's hope Mark osborne is having a good life away from Baseball.

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MJ

Casual Cards VII - Javy Lopez

January 7th 2013 - Javy Lopez 2005 Topps Turkey Red #63

Last played for the Red Sox in 2006.

I like Turkey Red, Similar to Allen & Ginter but a classic design.

Lopez's Stat's:

Games Played: 1503
Hits: 1527
Home Runs: 260
RBI's: 864
Walks: 357
Average: .287

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MJ