#88 Oswaldo Arcia

I’m not sure what happened to yesterday’s post but here it is. I like to blame Blogger, but I think this one was my fault as I went in to make a quick edit and didn’t republish it. Oh well.

#88 Oswaldo Arcia

First impression of what’s going on: It looks like Oswaldo Arcia has just hit a home run and is coming around second base. I might even go so far as to suggest it might be a walk-off the way he is celebrating. Although as someone who didn’t break 100 pounds until my junior year of high school and was your typical small, leadoff lefty that might bunt for a base hit, if I ever hit a home run, it would be celebrated like that.

For all I know, it could just be a “regular” walk-off hit or something else worth celebrating. Maybe Arcia isn’t a very good runner and just really needs some oxygen.  But I digress. Let’s stop the speculating and see what really happened.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 4: Oswaldo Arcia #31 of the Minnesota Twins rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the game on August 4, 2013 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: Ok, so it was a home run. But no mention of a walk-off or even the final score. The umpire in the background looks like he is signaling an out and if I hadn't read the caption, I could have speculated that Arcia was robbed on the play and that was his “I can’t believe that just happened” face. But realistically, the umpire is probably making the circular motion to signify the home run.

Let’s check out the BOXSCORE and see what was worth celebrating.

If it was one of the two early runs, the celebrating might be excessive. If it was the tie breaker in the 7^th, that’s more acceptable. The win probability goes up significantly that late in the game, even with just one run.

So it was in the bottom of the 7^th, giving the visiting Astros just 6 more outs to come back. And if you know the Astros, that’s not likely to happen any more than if it was my Cubbies.

The home run was the top play of the game, changing the probability by a game high 21%.

Tying this card to yesterday’s is the Twins’ use of their alternate jersey for this game.

I think I spy an Under Armour logo on Arcia’s batting  glove but it’s too inconclusive to give credit.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Oswaldo was the 1^st under-22 Twins player since Francisco Liriano in 2005.

I thought I remembered Joe Mauer being younger but when I looked him up, he apparently started before that. Where the time gone that Joe Mauer is 10-year veteran!? And if I had just read ahead to the blurb, I would have seen Mauer mentioned as playing in 2004.

I didn't think Arcia being in the 2013 set so I was a little confused that this wasn't his rookie card. But then I remembered I never finished the Update set and sure enough, he’s one of the handful I need. (And that’s a great looking card, too!)

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #88

Player Name: Oswaldo Arcia

Team: Minnesota Twins

Position: Outfield

Game Date: August 4, 2013

Opponent: Houston Astros

Stadium: Target Field

Division: American League Central

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 3-2, Twins over the Astros, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: Yes, Alternate

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Birthdate: 5/9/1991

Birthplace: Venezuela

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Hannah Foslien

Niche collections this card could fit into: Alternate Jersey, Partial Southpaw, Celebration

My Grade: This is another one of those cards that I want to like a lot even though it doesn’t fall into very many niches. I didn’t even mention the close crop and even though that’s starting to become so normal, don’t think I didn’t notice. That said, I’m going to give this card a B+. Solid photo with a good story behind it. Plus, it reminded me to finish the 2013 Update set, haha.

#160 Bruce Rondon

#160 Bruce Rondon

First impression of what’s going on: You see this pose often in a game but I can’t think of a time where I've seen it on a card. I associate it with taking a big breath after a notable play. Usually the pitcher is in a jam or maybe just got out of one. Or he could just be taking a stretch between pitches. There’s no obvious concern on Rondon's face, so despite the just-bad-enough crop, I kind of like it.

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 22: Bruce Rondon #43 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the eight inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on August 21, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins defeated the Tigers 7-6. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: The caption doesn't give any specific information on the play. If he had just given up a run or hit, I think that might have been mentioned. On the other hand, Rondon is a relief pitcher, in the 8^{th inning} of a game the Tigers end up losing 7-6. Let’s see if the BOXSCORE has anything to say.

Uh oh. The winning run for the Twins came across in the 8^th inning.

And Rondon was charged with the loss. Not that starter Justin Verlander pitched a particular gem that day, but you still don’t want to come away with a loss. Let’s see how bad it was.

Three batters faced, a flyball, a walk, and a fielder's choice that advanced the walked batter to second.But then Rondon is pulled for Drew Smyly who gives up a double to Chris Herrmann. That's a bad break for Rondon, but walks tend to come back and haunt you.

There’s nothing real notable on the card that would get it into any of my niche collections. Rondon does have some tattoos and I know there are some guys into that.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Bruce’s four-seam fastball averaged 97.9 MPH in 2013.

I don’t know of any sites where I can verify this information so I’ll have to trust its accuracy. This is a pretty impressive fact though. Middle relievers have the benefit of coming in as a short term fix and can just blow away the batters without worrying about having to conserve energy.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #160

Player Name: Bruce Rondon

Team: Detroit Tigers

Position: Pitcher

Game Date: August 21, 2013

Opponent: Minnesota Twins

Stadium: Comerica Park

Division: American League Central

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 7-6, Twins over Tigers, Loss for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 12/9/1990

Birthplace: Venezuela

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Leo Halip

Niche collections this card could fit into: Tattoos

My Grade:  I like the picture, but it comes in a losing effort. His overall stats, the blurb and rookie fact are kind of average so I’ll give this one a C+.

There weren't many photo options for Rondon since he only pitched in 28.2 innings. And again, the photo choice wasn't even the problem. There were a couple of throwback/alternate uniforms photos but the poses were kind of boring too. Meh.

#325 Trevor Plouffe

#325 Trevor Plouffe

First impression of what’s going on: Yawn. Photos like this make me question why I wanted to break down E-V-E-R-Y card in the set.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 01: Trevor Plouffe #24 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the New York Yankees on July 1, 2013 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-4. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: Even more boring than the photo and the caption was the search for the source photo. With this tight of a crop, there must have been dozens of similar photos I had to rule out before finding the right one. We’ve already seen in the caption that Plouffe’s Twins lost to the Yankees 10-4. Let’s see if he had a god day in the BOXSCORE.

Plouffe was the designated hitter in this game. There was no grand slam but maybe he took advantage f opportunities he had.

Nope. Pretty unremarkable. He did have a flyball to the outfield that moved teammate Ryan Doumit to third base, but didn’t get credit for a sac fly.

Nothing on the front that would make this card fit into any niches for me. Maybe the back can save this card.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: In 2011, Trevor set a Twins rookie mark for September doubles (eight).

I’m sure I could try to figure out the old record and who held it, but that would take me longer than I willing to spend.

I’m always impressed by utility players, especially those that can do more than just the outfield or just the middle infield. Doing whatever it takes to find a spot on the team . The three positions Plouffe missed in 2012 were straight up the middle of the field, catcher, pitcher and center field.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #325

Player Name: Trevor Plouffe

Team: Minnesota Twins

Position: Third Base

Game Date: July 1, 2013

Opponent: New York Yankees

Stadium: Target Field

Division: American League Central

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 10-4, Yankees over Twins, Loss for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 6/15/1986

Birthplace: California

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Brace Hemmelgarn

Niche collections this card could fit into: Former First Round Draft Pick

My Grade: This card has almost nothing going for it. Since it’s not bad so much as just boring, I’ll be generous with a C-. Here are few more photos courtesy of Getty Images that could have given this card quite a boost.

I can always appreciate a good broken bat shot:

How about someone getting caught stealing a base. Caption says he was out.

Or on the basepaths himself where the caption says he was safe. Good action.