#135 Eric Sogard

#135 Eric Sogard

First impression of what’s going on: I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite cards this year. I say that knowing some of you may not even think this to be the best Oakland A’s card this year. You've got a lefty bunting, fantastic eyewear and the tops of some high socks. Topps even did a great job on the crop this time.

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 1: Eric Sogard #28 of the Oakland Athletics bunts against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at O.co Coliseum on Sunday, September 1, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: The full photo clarifies that they’re not just high socks but actually stirrups. I’m not real familiar with Sogard or the A’s uniforms but I usually associate stirrups with throwbacks. The caption doesn’t tell me whether this is a sacrifice bunt or Sogard is bunting for a hit so let’s go to the BOXSCORE.

In the second inning, the A’s tried a little small ball to get the runs flowing. It started to work, advancing a runner from first to third, but they ran out of outs.

There’s a newer statistical based line of thinking against sacrifice bunts, but I for one am still a fan. I like to think of baseball as a strategy game between managers as much as a duel between pitcher and batter. And small ball plays into that.

On Sogard’s batting glove we get a pretty good look at the Nike swoosh.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Eric’s first home run came off future teammate Bartolo Colon.

I don’t remember ever having a former opponent later become a teammate or even the opposite. I was a military brat growing up so even though I played Little League, I moved around between seasons so it didn't come up. Unfortunately, I’d probably be the guy who rubbed it in.

“Hey man, the best day of my life was my first home run. Well, you remember, you were there.”

The BOXSCORE shows his solo blast came in the 3^rd inning while Bartolo Colon was with the Yankees. It wasn't the game winner or anything but the A’s did win by a run, 7-6, so it definitely helped.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #135

Player Name: Eric Sogard

Team: Oakland Athletics

Position: Second Base

Game Date: September 1, 2013

Opponent: Tampa Bay Rays

Stadium: O.co Coliseum

Division: American League West

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 5-1, Athletics over the Rays, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Birthdate: 5/22/1986

Birthplace: Arizona

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Brad Mangin

Niche collections this card could fit into: Bunting, High Socks, Stirrups, Sunglasses, Partial Southpaw, Free Advertising

My Grade: Lots of niches for this card. Combine them with a great crop job, this card gets an easy A. If Sogard was wearing a throwback/alternate jersey or the photo was taken with the ball a little closer to the bat (and not cropped out), this would have been an even easier A+.

I'm giving the card Sunglasses credit, even thoough they are clearly glasses because I'm too lazy to go back and change the other tags to Eyewear in general.

#189 Adam LaRoche

Man, I really goofed up these last couple of days. Last night's Manny Machado card was supposed to post in the morning at 9 AM, not PM. And the cards from last evening and this morning don't even looked they posted. Whoops! Anyway, here's is the card that should have gone up last night.

#189 Adam LaRoche

First impression of what’s going on: Another kind of standard shot for a first baseman, mitt out, ready to receive the ball. I never really understood the upside down glasses thing. And I don’t know what the patch is for so I’ll have to look into it.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 01: Adam LaRoche #25 of the Washington Nationals catches the ball at first base against the Miami Marlins during Opening Day at Nationals Park on April 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: Again, the crop is a shame. Not that you see much of his arm anyway, but it still could have been framed better.Opening Day went to the Nationals acording to the BOXSCORE.

 According to his game log, LaRoche had 10 putouts in the game so I'm not going to even try to figure out the exact play with the lack of clues.

I will note that LaRoche is standing with a foot firmly on first base. When I played the position, I was always taught to put my foot up against the edge, giving me more of a reach towards the ball and also to prevent collisions with the base runner. There’s no runner in sight so maybe that wasn't an issue, but thought I’d point it out since I noticed.

From Opening Day of the 2013 season, this photo is now the earliest one used. Long time readers (and I use that term loosely as I've been active all of about two weeks) may recall the Michael Young photo from mid-September as the most recent.

As for the patch, it commemorates the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy and was worn by all players, managers, coaches and on-field personnel from March 31-April 2, 2013. Here’s a preseason press release giving more details. And a better view of the patch if you don’t click the link:

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Adam was the first NL rookie to get his 1^st 2 hits in the same inning.

That’s pretty cool. The hits came in his MLB debut on April 7, 2004 ( BOXSCORE). He grounded out to second in his first at bat but his first two hits and two RBIs came in the 11-run 4^th inning.

Way to not be a rally killer! 

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #189

Player Name: Adam LaRoche

Team: Washington Nationals

Position: First Base

Game Date: April 1, 2013

Opponent: Miami Marlins

Stadium: Nationals Park

Division: National League East

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 2-0, Nationals over the Marlins, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Left/Left

Birthdate: 11/6/1979

Birthplace: California

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: G Fiume

Niche collections this card could fit into: Southpaw, Commemorative Patch, Sunglasses

My Grade: I am a Cubs fan through and through but the Washington Nationals are my local team so I get blasted with Nats news more often than I 'd like. With all the hype of Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, you might gloss over the fact that Adam LaRoche got MVP consideration in 2012 (6th place), as well as winning the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove for his position. His numbers came back to normal in 2013 as the Nationals did as a whole.

My kids had the opportunity to get his autograph after a Nats game in 2012, so my grade will probably come off a little biased. Its not much better than average, but with a couple of niches covered and the fact that LaRoche seemed liked a pretty god guy, I'll give it a B.

And just for fun, here the cards he signed for us:

#24 Manny Machado

#24 Manny Machado

First impression of what’s going on: Pretty standard third baseman shot, but again, the crop is a tad too tight. I think we still get the dirt on the jersey and expression on his face without sacrificing his elbow.

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 11: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles throws the ball to first base against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 11, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: It looks like Machado is charging a slow roller/bunt. The caption doesn’t give much detail so we’ll have to go to the BOXSCORE.

In the first inning, Machado fielded two ground balls. The first, going towards the shortstop is where I’m speculating his uniform got dirty. The third batter and final out of the inning was a ground ball to weak third base by Albert Pujols. That could be it.

In the 4^th, Machado fielded another ball to weak 3B, this time off the bat of Mark Trumbo.

Finally, in the 9^th, Mike Trout also had a ball to weak third base.

In my limited skills as a detective, I’m going to say this photo was taken during the first inning on the ball hit by Albert Pujols. If you look in the upper right hand corner of the photo there are a lot of empty seats behind Machado. It could very well be a snack run in the 4^th or people left during the 9^th, but I’m betting that people were still trickling into the game.

Machado does give Rawlings some love by displaying two logos prominently on his glove.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Manny was, on 8/10/2012, the franchise’s youngest player with a 2-HR game.

I didn’t fact check this but I did go to the BOXSCORE to see the game.

Batting .500 on the season after going 2-4. What was it his first game?

Close. He did it in just his second game! That’s pretty impressive.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #24

Player Name: Manny Machado

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Position: Third Base

Game Date: June 11, 2013

Opponent: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Stadium: Oriole Park at Camden Yard

Division: American League East

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 3-2, Orioles over the Angels, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 7/6/1992

Birthplace: Florida

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: G Fiume

Niche collections this card could fit into: Free Advertising, Future Stars, Dirty Jersey

My Grade: I did say it was a pretty standard third baseman shot, but the dirty jersey gives it a little extra something. At the same time, the orange blob in the upper right hand corner (a vendor’s shirt if you look at the photo) is not very attractive to the card.  The crop job doesn’t really help either. But I am a fan of the cartoon bird on the hat making a comeback. I’m going to say B- on this one.

#318 Luis Valbuena

This morning we had one hot corner representative from the Windy City. This evening we go across town to see the other third baseman in Chicago.

#318 Luis Valbuena

First impression of what’s going on: Luis Valbuena is trying to score. It didn't happen enough last season (for my beloved Cubbies, I’m not picking on Luis). I'd like to think Valbuena is flipping off his haters as he jump slides home, thus it’ll get some Unnecessary Censorship status. More on the throwback uniforms in a bit.

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 29: Luis Valbuena #24 of the Chicago Cubs scores on a single by Nate Schierholtz in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 29, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: Can this really get a Play at the Plate designation since there is no one in the vicinity of the sliding Valbuena? In the uncropped photo, you can see Valbuena is holding his batting gloves and not shoving anything in the Seattle crowd’s collective faces. Also cropped out are third base coach, David Bell and the third base umpire. According to the BOXSCORE, the third base umpire for the game was Mike Winters.

The Cubs pulled one out in extra innings after Kevin Gregg blew the Save in the 9^th. Here’s the play by play of the 6^th inning.

Looks like Valbuena’s run tied the game at two and the Cubs took the lead on the next batter.

Since Nate Schierholtz advanced to second “on the throw”, I guess there was a play at the plate even though we can’t see it. The throw must have been up the line or cut off.

As for the uniforms, this was a Turn Back the Clock game, so the Cubs wore their 1909 throwbacks. Those with a little bit of baseball history knowledge will note this as the first year of the Cubs World Series drought. The Mariners wore a throwback uniform as well but since they were an expansion team from 1977, they opted to wear a Seattle Turks uniform. The Turks were a Northwestern League (Minors) team in Seattle at that time.

The screen grab above was taken from one of my favorite sites, sportslogos.net. They have a breakdown of each team by what uniform they wore for each game and the team's record while wearing each uniform during the season. I was only interested in this particular game, but I'll definitely go back when I have more time. What a great resource!

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Luis’ first and only 2-HR game occurred on 6/20/09 at Wrigley Field.

Wait. What? Valbuena wasn’t a rookie with the Cubs, which means….gasp! He was their opponent! I found the BOXSCORE for the game, which also happened to be an extra inning affair. His first home run of the day came in the 5^th to double the Indians lead to 2-0.

 

Later in the 13^th, Valbuena tried to put the Cubs away with his second solo home run of the day.

Luckily for the Cubs, it wasn't enough as they managed their own rally against former and future Cub and fan favorite, Kerry Wood.

C’mon, Kerry. A game winning losing wild pitch against your former team? Thanks!

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #318

Player Name: Luis Valbuena

Team: Chicago Cubs

Position: Third Base

Game Date: June 29, 2013

Opponent: Seattle Mariners

Stadium: Safeco Field

Division: National League Central

Home/Away: Away

Outcome of the game: 5-3, Cubs over the Mariners, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: Yes, 1909 Chicago Cubs

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Birthdate: 11/30/1985

Birthplace: Venezuela

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Otto Greule Jr.

Niche collections this card could fit into: Throwback/Alternate Jersey, Unnecessary Censorship, Play at the Plate, High Socks

My Grade: I may be biased towards the Cubs but I think most collectors would give this card an A. Not only is it a great shot of Valbuena sliding home, but it's a full shot of the throwback uniform. Valbuena is also sporting the high socks in this photo, not something he normally does.

#262 Jeff Keppinger

Today, we’re going South Side/North Side.

#262 Jeff Keppinger

First impression of what’s going on: As usual, the crop is too tight.  Keppinger is missing part of a hand and the baseball is missing a chunk. Otherwise, it’s a decent shot of a play at first. I like the photos where the ball is about to be caught or hit. And on a blown up version of the photo, I bet I could count the stitches on the ball, no blur at all in the photo.

Wait. Did I say play at first? The card says he’s a third baseman but he’s definitely wearing a first baseman’s mitt. This isn't something I’m tracking, maybe I should, but I’m wondering how many utility guys make Series 1.

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: First baseman Jeff Keppinger #7 of the Chicago White Sox catches the ball against the Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field on August 14, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Tigers defeated the White Sox 6-4. (Photo by Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: Yep, definitely cropped too tight. I’m not saying the card could have fit the full length photo, but I know Jeff from 2x3 Heroes probably would have liked him some high socks on a White Sox card. The caption doesn’t give much information on the exact play, and in any given game, a putout at first could be the most common play. Let’s go to the BOXSCORE.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the division leading Tigers beat the division cellar dwelling White Sox in a later season game. But let’s look for putouts at first base.

Right off the bat, to start the game, Austin Jackson grounded out to the shortstop. Based on Keppinger’s eye line, I would probably say this is a definite possibility.

Top of the second brings two more putouts. The first seems like a tougher play that would be closer at the bag. The eye line could work but I would expect to see the runner at least starting to enter the frame. The other play came from second base and unless it was a slow roller into the grass, I don’t think the angle works. And again, a play in the grass would probably be a closer play at first.

The top of the third ends with a ground ball to shortstop. Ok, I’m done trying to figure it out. Too many opportunities and it’s only the third inning. For the record, I looked it up, and Jeff had 12 putouts in this game. I guess I could look at the shadows and find the exact time of day and correspond...zzzzzzzz.

Anyway, there's not much in the way of niches on the front of this card, just sunglasses, so let’s see what we can get from the back:

Rookie Fact: Jeff, though not a power hitter, homered twice in his first 8 games.

I went back to 2004 for some boxscores to look up his home runs and came up with game 7 of his career and game 8, both against the Dodgers. Keppinger’s Mets lost both games, and interestingly enough, they also lost the game where he hit his only other home run that season. How many before that’s a jinx?

The blurb mentions the utility of Keppinger and it shows up in the stats. Seven teams in nine seasons and nearly 200 games at three different positions is pretty much the definition of utility.

.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #262

Player Name: Jeff Keppinger

Team: Chicago White Sox

Position: Third Base

Game Date: August 14, 2013

Opponent: Detroit Tigers

Stadium: US Cellular Field

Division: American League Central

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 6-4, Tigers over White Sox, Loss for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 4/21/1980

Birthplace: Florida

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Brian D. Kersey

Niche collections this card could fit into: Sunglasses

My Grade:  While there is nothing that makes me say, “WOW!” about this card, I still kind of like it. Maybe it’s because he’s playing a different position than what he is credited with. Or the calmness in his reaction to the play.  Or my soft spot for utility guys.

I can’t quite pinpoint why I think this is a slightly better than average card, but I’m going to give it a B-.

#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.