Five players whose cards you should watch heading into 2015

It’s #OpeningNight and the mood is right.

OK, that’s the opening line to TGIF theme song from back in the day, but it certainly applies. After a long winter of snow, ice, slush, gripping winds and more snow, baseball is back.

A few players stood during this season’s spring training, making some guys well known to more than just prospectors and die-hards.

Here’s a look at five players from spring training to keep an eye on this season whose cards you may want to grab – although they are getting pricier by the minute.

Taijuan Walker, Seattle Mariners

Walker’s cards have a lot to gain. Throughout the spring, his cards have steadily risen in price, in large part to his spectacular numbers. He threw 25.1 innings and gave up one earned run. That equates to an ERA of 0.36. He also walked just four guys. Walker is 22 years old and gets to learn from one of the best pitchers in the game, Felix Hernandez.

With the Mariners poised to make a run for the AL West title this season, Walker’s cards are warm right now and could get hot.

Jon Gray, Colorado Rockies

Gray is another pitcher who got attention this spring. He was reassigned to triple-A before the end of the practice session, but still many are awaiting his MLB debut. Gray’s last Spring Training outing was, but shouldn’t scare too many. The scary part is that he should end up pitching in Colorado one day -- that’s never been good for any pitcher.

Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers seem to have a plethora of players so the rookies had to fight and scrap their way onto the 25-man roster. Pederson seems to have done that, and even won the starting centerfield position. He hit six home runs in 60 at-bats this spring, and hit slugged .750. He is not, however, one of the cheaper autographs to grab. But his Rookie Cards will appear in 2015 products

Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are another team that is loaded with talent – they even have Rusney Castillo starting in Triple-A. Betts is one of their young studs that could shine this year, and the Red Sox are going to give him the chance. Betts hit .451 with a 1.295 OPS this spring.

By the way, his Rookie Cards appear in 2014, but there aren’t many autos because of his late call up.

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

I feel like a teenage girl, ‘I can’t even’ with Bryant. Bryant was sensational, amazing, legendary this spring. He hit nine home runs in 44 plate appearances. He slugged 1.175 with an OPS of 1.652. And, he will start the season in Triple-A. However, it’s likely we see Bryant sooner rather than later with the Cubs.

But, getting an autograph card of his will set you back on the secondary market as they going for hundreds, if not thousands. Pulling one of his autographs from a pack is like finding a unicorn.

You want competition, you got it: Panini gets MLBPA license

Topps is coming to the end of the second year of its exclusivity with an MLB license.

Upper Deck had an MLBPA license in 2010, but no MLB license, which meant they could only make cards with players only, no logos or team names. UD didn't follow those rules and got sued.

So, for some time there was just one.

Topps.

The longtime card company stood alone creating a variety of products that were received differently by the collectors. Regardless if a collector liked or disliked a set, it seemed there was one thing they all wanted – competition.

Most people understand competition is good in a business marketplace. It doesn't allow companies to get complacent. I'm not saying this is what Topps has done. It has put out some really good products this year such as Gypsy Queen.

Still, we wanted more.

Consumers wanted options.

On Thursday, we got one step closer, although we're not entirely there. MLBPA gave a license to Panini America to create baseball cards. The catch? Just like Upper Deck, they cannot use team names and logos because those are with the MLB license.

Baseball Documentary

Last night I watched A Player to be Named Later
on Netflix. It is a documentary about the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system, and it chronicles one season from Spring in Arizona through the end, showing players moving up, down, getting designated for assignment, and others just managing to stay on the AAA level.

Some people could find this boring but I think this gives you a better understanding of what these guys go through, and what they need to do to bust their asses to get here. One of the guys that is seen throughout the movie is Marco Scutaro. They pronounce his name "skit-taro" in the moviewhich makes me question the way everyone says it on tv now.

In either case, this is something you should check out of you have Netflix and if you hate it well you can move on to the next movie in your queue. If you don't have Netflix click any of the links to a cheap copy of the movie
on DVD.

Yankees vs. Mets

Sooz and I will be going to the game tonight, and I'm leaving shortly to go meet her. I promise, promise, promise I will have something fun posted tonight. I meant to showcase some mail last night but Sooz and I went to the movies (more on that later), and when I finally got home I passed out shortly thereafter.

Keep an eye on twitter because I am sure we will both be tweeting, and possibly posting some pics (which we probably won't be in because that is just how it usually goes).

If anyone else is going to be there tonight let us know.

Yankees v. Phillies 5/24

I left the house at 10am anticipating traffic with people going to BBQ's and family events, yet there was no one on the road and we made it down there at 10:25am. To make it from my house to the stadium in 25 minutes would tell anyone that lives in this area that there was literally no one out. So my friend that I took to the game had never been to Yankee Stadium, old or new. I told her I feel sorry for her, and I really do. But if you think about it, if you had never been to the old one you probably have no judgement of the new one with no comparison.

I brought my scoresheets today with every intention of keeping score. I had one of Ron's scoresheets from Section 36, and one left from last season that I never used. I will say that the unused one from last year has made it to several games with nothing ever written on it. I wrote Yankees and Phillies on them Friday, then put them away. Two less words I had to write today.

A little before game time we noticed a guy a few rows behind us with a stuffed rabbit puppet. I wish I were joking, but I have the photo to prove it. I also have a video on my phone of this dancing rabbit, which I later overheard him saying the rabbit's name was Jackie Rabbitson. I asked someone that sits in the bleachers on a regular basis if they had seen this character before, and I was told that he sat out there years ago but stopped because he used to get made fun of. I wonder why. He followed that up with good thing Ray isn't here, otherwise we would really have roast rabbit. I laughed for 2 reasons and went back to my seat.


Jackie Rabbitson danced to every song, and clapped most of the game. The rabbit was another reminder of why I stopped going to weekend games years ago. Not the same as the regular crowd on the weekends, and on the weekends you also get clowns telling you that you are in their seat. I had one of those today and almost snapped a bimbo like a twig. Yes, 'roid rage.

The game was a great pitching duel with Sabathia and Hamels, though Sabathia gave up 3 runs he kept us in the game by not letting things get out of hand. I wish for the sake of my fantasy team that if the Yankees were not going to win in 11 innings that they could have just lost in 9 so Cole could get the win. We had a chance to win the game in the 9th but Teixeira grounded into a 6-4-3 double play moving Jeter to third, and bringing up A-Rod with 2 outs. They walked A-Rod to pitch to Ramiro Pena, and who wouldn't? He flies out, rally killed. I am praying Nady comes back soon so we can send Matsui back to his country- I am not kidding, he is on my last nerve.

So 11 innings, and 2 sunburned arms later my scoresheets are complete. I figured I would have mailed it in by the 3rd, but I made it through the whole game with only 2 mystery outs. One of which was the second batter of the game so I didn't think finishing the game was possible. Anyone who has sat in the bleachers knows that if you want to actually pay attention to the game at all times, you really shouldn't be sitting there. Weekends it's easier to keep score since there are less people to distract you.

They aren't pretty, but they are pretty much complete. I didn't finish all the pitching lines, and no I have no intention of filling it in. Took the same amount of time to drive home as it did to get there, which was another blessing after the Yankees teased me with the possibility of an extra innings win.

The Yankees played extremely well on this homestand and showed heart and fight which was nice to see. 9 wins in a row is a good sign for the team, and if they can do that throughout the season we should be able to make the playoffs.

Since the gym is closed tomorrow I was thinking about handwashing my car, but after sitting outside and cooking for 11 innings (and batting practice) I think I am going to stay in the igloo (house) and chill tomorrow.

I'm going to watch the Twins/Brewers now and put some more aloe on my arms. Sooz is still pretty sick and not feeling well at all so any medicine (Jeter cards) anyone wants to send her may help her get better faster.

Yankees vs. Twins

Today Sooz, her nephew, and I went to "the" Yankee Stadium as her nephew called it. We got to see a really great game, plus free baseball. Today was Frankie's birthday and going to the game was a surprise for him. He said he had a great time though I think he would have been happier in Toys R Us. He will fit right into the bleachers because he had no idea what was going on. Sitting out there makes it a struggle to have any idea what is going on most times because everyone knows each other and you spend most of the time talking, chanting, taunting, and then paying attention. I've spent many games trying to keep score to pay more attention and I don't think I have ever made it past the 5th inning, and the innings I did contained many MO's (mystery outs). I also don't remember them winning a game where I kept score, not that it's my fault but I noticed that happening.

Thanks to my addiction to Twitter I get constant updates when the Yankees beat writers from many different outlets update their blogs. I was reading Pete's blog, which I have linked here many times, and he was asking people if they thought about wanting someone else to have won the game for the Yankees other than A-Rod, and if that thought crossed anyone's mind as the bat hit the ball. When that bat made contact everyone knew it was gone, and I didn't think of that for even a nano-second.

The better A-Rod does when this team needs him, the better off the Yankees are, and the happier the fans will be. It doesn't make sense for the fans to boo him becuase of the PED admission suring the offseason because he is "sensitive" and might not perform if we do. What kind of fans would we be to boo A-Rod, yet cheer for Pettitte and Giambi? I, for one, don't care who wins the game so long as we win. The bat boy could do it for all I care. I want to see A-Rod do well regardless of his past because we need him to win (we could also stand to get a new bullpen, but that's another story).

Is it horrible that I really don't care what he or anyone else did in the past? I'm also not going to be surprised by any of it anymore. I remember when this all starting happening, with the admission and leaking of names and I was in shock. Now, I just don't care. If I spent my time caring about this and getting myself annoyed that some, not all, players are or were cheaters I would hate the game. I don't want to hate the game, I love it way too much to just stop being a fan. Only one person could admit to using steroids to really make me do a 180 on my opinion at this point and that guy is Derek Jeter. If he ever was found to have used PED's I would probably never go to a Yankees game again. However, I have all the faith in the world that he has never touched the stuff.

What is everyone else thinking about this? Does anyone care anymore?

Sooz's View: Baseball you're close to losing me (Thanks Manny)

By now most of you heard Manny Ramirez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Starting tonight, he will be suspended for 50 games and could return as early as July 3.

I thought nothing would surprise me in this steroid-fueled era. This did.

I also hoped we were getting past it. Sure, we heard about the players that did it in the early part of the decade, but I really, really thought we were moving on.

So, now one of baseball’s most prolific players, a guy who has been called one of the greatest players of all time, is apparently a cheater. This happens when we were supposed to be getting past the “steroid era.”

Yesterday, I bought two blasters of UDx because they were half off. I wish I could return them.
Manny is one of the best players in the game. Now, apparently a cheat.

Alex Rodriguez is one of the best players in the game. He’s a cheat.

And, Albert Pujols wants me to believe in him.

Whom can we believe in?

Depending on what Ramirez’s reasons (or excuse) this news could be as devastating as the 1994 strike. Baseball lost fans, but coincidentally it was the steroid-infused home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa that brought them back. The same thing could send them packing.

This year, I felt a renewed love for baseball. It waned the last few years. The last time I felt energized about baseball was 2005. I would drive two hours to Yankee Stadium every other weekend. I would go to Philadelphia to watch any team.

This year I watched the Yankees and found when my off days coincided with home games. I looked at Washington and Baltimore's schedules to find more games to attend. I went to Citi Field because I wanted to get in as much baseball as I can. I even drove to Boston, which is six hours away, for a baseball game.

So baseball, you’re the cheat.

America's youth and sports

First let me say that I am an advocate of getting kids interested in sports and baseball cards, and think it is important for children to have role models in sports so they become more active in their own lives. I also think that children should follow the team of their choice and have an opinion of some sort about how their team plays, what they think will happen as far as their favorite players season stats, etc. The problem I have with the whole thing is that kids hear or read things, and then apply them to situations where they make no sense and post them online swearing it is the most intelligent statement they have ever made.

I understand children don't know any better. I understand that they think they know everything, and moreover that they are entitled to have an opinion albeit a ridiculous one. I am following this website on my twitter, the Bleacher Report, and that is where I saw the article. In my defense, before I knew how old the author was I was flippin' mad. I couldn't even fathom the idea of this article, much less how they thought this was a good idea. Now you all know that this is written by a child, so here is the article....

Trade Derek Jeter to the Red Sox

If this person is the age they claim to be, then they should have a little more of a handle on what it means to be a team captain and why those players were chosen. If they know that then this idea would have never even popped into the authors head because they would have known better. Maybe my point is just to educate children about what it means to be a major league baseball player, or what it means to be the Captain of a team. Maybe I am just a grouch.

My first trip to Fenway

Sunday was my first time going to Fenway Park, and I must admit I really liked the park despite it being home to the enemy. I think part of the reason that I liked it was because it gives you a nostalgic feeling when you see it, not to mention it was one of the parks I see on tv and have always wanted to visit. When we were driving into Boston, I spotted the Citgo sign that I see on tv all the time and instantly knew we were close. Once you get close enough to see it, or any stadium for that matter you kind of get excited (at least I do).

The surrounding area of the park is great for baseball. There are bars, shops, and best of all no traffic to dodge while being around it. Once you are inside there is another small little village of stuff, including a tremendous fan store, concessions, and best of all freshly made kettle corn. Sooz and I are big fans of kettle corn, and I have mentioned this before but if you have never tried it you need to. You don't know what you are missing.

Walking into the park itself was interesting, as the floor was on a downward slope and it was like walking into a cave. Reminded me somewhat of the old Stadium because when you walked into the bleachers area it was kind of cave-like and secluded (which I always liked). The park looks ancient, but has that old time baseball charm to it. There is an outdoor area with picnic tables and concessions, some high top tables to stand at and eat, and more glorious kettle corn.

I would have taken my camera along, but to walk around in there in my Andy Pettitte t-shirt and take a million pictures would not have been a good first experience there. I had no interest in drawing even more attention to myself while just trying to enjoy a park and a game.

As we walked up the tunnel to see the field for the first time, again I was sadly excited, and not disappointed. It was awesome in person. When you walk in you are only like 30 or so rows from the field which is something I am not used to from Yankee Stadium. It was green, it was old, and it was awesome (despite the Red Sox occupying it). I really enjoyed walking around the park and watching the game there, we even met a couple of nice Boston fans (shocking), and were high-fived by several passing Yankees fans throughout the game.

The game itself was a huge emabarrasing failure, and wouldn't have been as terrible if Ellsbury didn't steal home. I mean really, we didn't think it could get worse unless we were no hit but I think that was pretty bad.

The one thing that I didn't expect was for this trip to make me even more grumpy about the new Yankee Stadium, but it sure did. I've been to several other parks, most of them were newer places but this made me really miss the old Stadium. I also think that Fenway could have been knocked down long before Yankee Stadium because this place is in way worse shape than Yankee Stadium was. However, none of that matters now.

I would definitely go back to Fenway to see another game, and I think it is definitely a park that everyone should try and see it some point.

It's a beautiful weekend

This weekend in the northeast we are expecting record high temperatures, and so far it has been a gorgeous day here. I have spent most of it outside cleaning my car, and enjoying the sun (what little of it my skin can actually tolerate). I didn't make it to the post office today, but I am not expecting any packages so it's okay. I posted some random pics from my day on twitter to entertain myself as I was doing chores.

I did get some mail yesterday that I am going to post later while watching baseball. Waxaholic a.k.a. Captain Canuck post a blog not too long ago wonder if anyone collected anything other than cards so I may have a little fun with everyone with that later as well.

I wish I could slide my tv out onto my deck and watch a game while enjoying the nice weather, but with my luck along will come a bird and 'rain' on my parade.

Sooz and I are heading to Boston on Sunday for the Yankees/Red Sox game Sunday night, so we will be tweeting from there with pics and posts for your entertainment. Perhaps this trip we will actually take a picture together for once.

Yankee Stadium is Coors Field East?

That was said on ESPN a little while ago, and it has to make you wonder what is going to happen the rest of the way. The Yankess and Indians combined for 17 homeruns in the first 3 days of the stadium opening which is a new record. There are clearly differences from the old Stadium, specifically the jet stream that everyone is claiming as the problem. There is also the fact that all along the top of the stadium the wall is mostly open, and it was not like that in the old one. There is speculation that once they knock down the old Stadium (and put it out of it's misery), that the jet stream will change.

This stadium could become a nightmare for pitchers and a homerun derby for anyone at the plate. It seems that most balls hit to right field have gone out, and it's not that hard in the first place since that is the short porch. There was also something else that was pointed out on this blog, about how there is no railing preventing fan interference.

ESPN estimated that at this rate about 460 (I believe that was the number) homeruns will be hit at Yankee Stadium, and last year there were only 160. Yikes.

I was supposed to go to the game tomorrow but it looks like bad rain is in the forecast, so it will probably be a rain out. I will be going to the game on Wednesday with a couple of friends so hopefully it doesn't continue to rain like they are telling me on the news.

We went on a tour

Sooz and I saw plenty of baseball today, terrible baseball but the scenery more than made up for it. Pictures and stories to come tomorrow when we are back to normal.

I have two words to leave everyone with.... Shake. Shack.

No need to leave the house

It's raining again and I don't care because there is no reason to go out. There is plenty of baseball on tonight, I went out between games to grab an iced coffee to have in a little while after I finish this giant bowl of lettuce. Today for some is Good Friday, which means you can't eat any meat. Which is torture for me because I hate eating a lot of white breads, and really aside from toast, eggs, tuna, and pizza there isn't much if you don't feel like making a fish. I'm not big on fish, ended up having grilled shrimp with broccoli for dinner which was like eating air. Hence, the giant bowl of lettuce now.

So here I am watching the Cards/Astros and flipping between the commercials and at bats to the Mets/Marlins. The Extra Innings package is by far the best thing to ever happen to tv, and possibly the worst thing for my social life. Sadly not many people I know like baseball this much, and some people even find it boring (blasphemy).

Cole Hamels destroyed my night in fantasy baseball, and his teams chances of winning more importantly. It makes me wonder if his elbow has healed or if he will end up on the DL. Sooz knows all about his career and battling with the DL on a consistent basis so she may be a better judge of what may or may not go on in this case. Poor Cole, even though he killed my pitching I feel bad (and no I have no idea why). Ohh, did anyone see the play where Cole threw the ball into the players back running up the line to first and the guy was called out? If not check it out on ESPN later because I don't understand where the umpire wanted the dude to run, because he would have been out of the baseline, and the pitcher and first basemen usually make those plays without throwing into the runner. It was interesting to say the least.

Anyone else home watching baseball? Feel free to entertain me because I think Sooz is out of commission and I like being entertained.

P.S. How about the Cole Hamels as an Abercrombie model picture? LOL.

Baseball all day

A four-day weekend is something we all crave around this time of year. The weather is pleasant, baseball games are on television and who doesn't love a little time away from the office. However, my four-day weekend will be in recovery mode without the benefit of a lamb dinner on Easter with my family.

This morning, I got three of four wisdom teeth taken out. The dentist did a fine job. The process -- despite two of them being impacted -- took just 15 minutes. My boyfriend, who went on a Dunkin' Donuts run, wasn't even back yet by the time everything was over. I stood outside with an ice pack on my face and a scrip for Vicodin in my hand.

But I'm back home and here I am with gauze in my mouth looking like a chipmunk. There isn't much pain, yet, and I'm hoping to keep myself drugged up enough to not feel any.

Part of the recovery plan includes lots and lots of baseball. I bought the MLB.tv package yesterday, which I already love, and will flip through several games throughout the day (or even watch two or four at the same time).

Here's the plan:
Texas @ Detroit (It's the only game on at 1)
Yankees @ KC while paying attention to the Cubs game because I have Rich Harden. I'll also have the Phillies on the television watching Cole Hamels make his season debut. (Did you know he has never pitched against the Rockies?)
After that I'll be flipping through the rest of the game, watching my fantasy baseball players.

I'll be here all day. So if anyone is around, I'll be here to talk.

We're all a little human: I watched a good amount of coverage of Nick Adenhart's tragic death yesterday. Obviously, it's very sad for his family, teammates and all that knew the 22-year-old. Seeing Scott Boras cry yesterday hit me in a weird way.

It's Scott Boras. I didn't think he had a heart, but there he was crying at the podium.

Tragedies such as this touch everyone. I went on a little rant yesterday about the incident, so I won't stand on the soap box much longer.

I just wish this wasn't an issue that we have had to fight for years and will probably continue to fight for many, many years.

-Sooz