#86 Wilmer Flores

Today, I’m following up a rookie with another. This time we’re going all the way back to the the east coast.

#86 Wilmer Flores

First impression of what’s going on: This is kind of a generic shot of a swinging batter but I don’t know that you can expect more than that for a rookie card. Sure, you might get lucky like we did yesterday with Michael Choice, but I think he was an outlier. There are probably only a couple dozens shots to choose from for most rookies. The crop is too tight but Flores does have a few niches at first glance.

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: Wilmer Flores #4 of the New York Mets in action against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on August 8, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Rockies 2-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

 The Reality of the Photo: Definitely too tight of a crop. I can’t believe the Rockies are making another appearance, in spirit, if not on the actual card. The caption isn’t much help in identifying a particular pitch or even at-bat so let’s go to the BOXSCORE and see what we can find out.

A win is a win, whether you score two or twelve. Let’s see if the rookie had a hand in it.

No hits, but Flores did draw a walk and drive in a run. Fielder’s choice? Or maybe his walk was of the bases loaded variety?

He drew his walk in the bottom of the second, but nothing came of it.

In the fourth he did come up with the bases loaded but as I said, his walk already happened. This time, it sounds like he hit a dribbler to shortstop and the only play was for Flores at first, but allowing Daniel Murphy to score from third.

I wonder if, with no outs and the bases loaded, the infield was playing back for double play depth or in, for a play at the plate. My guess would be, that early in the game, play for the double play, sacrificing a run but putting a damper on an even bigger inning. If they were playing back, that could be the reason why the only play was at first on the dribbler.

This run tied the game at 1 apiece, which was followed by the game winning sacrifice fly by former Cub Anthony Recker. Had Flores grounded into a double play, the sac fly would have been an inning ending out.

The Mets were wearing their home alternates that day, as the regular home uniform involves pinstripes.

Looking a little closer, we can see the All-Star patch because the Mets hosted the game in 2013.

Better View 

And a little more subtle than that, we get a glimpse of an Under Armour logo from Flores’ undershirt on his elbow, for some Free Advertising.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Wilmer tied a Mets record with 9 RBI in his first six MLB games.

First, I want to go off on a tangent about the plurality of Runs Batted In. I think they are commonly referred to as RBIs even though that would translate to Runs Batted Ins. Maybe they should be RsBI, but that sounds ridiculous. So even though RBI, as used by Topps in the Rookie Fact, seems odd, it is technically correct. Weird.

Back to the fact at hand. Among Flores’ 9 RBI, he had a pair of 3 RBI games and one in at least five of the six games. Not to mention that the Mets as a team went 5-1 in that stretch. Good way to start a career.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #86

Player Name: Wilmer Flores

Team: New York Mets

Position: Shortstop

Game Date: August 8, 2013

Opponent: Colorado Rockies

Stadium: Citi Field

Division: National League East

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 2-1, Mets over Rockies, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: Yes, alternate

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 8/6/1991

Birthplace: Venezuela

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Jim McIsaac

Niche collections this card could fit into: Alternate Jersey, Free Advertising, Patch, Rookie Card

My Grade: This one hits a lot of the same niches as yesterday’s A+ rookie, but somehow it still falls a little flat. Maybe if the crop wasn’t so tight or if Flores had a bigger day at the plate. I’m still going to give this card a B though.

Usually I save the “what could have been” photos for cards with failing grades, but when looking for the source photo, I saw two photos that would have put Flores into “no doubter” A+ status. Both are perfectly timed photos that shine a good light on Flores and they’re both from the same game on September 15, 2013. Maybe that was a little too late in the season to get these made on time.

Lesson learned for the Marlins. Don't try to get to third if Flores is guarding it!

#27 Michael Choice

#27 Michael Choice

First impression of what’s going on: I don’t know if the Topps photo selector is from Oakland or what, but it’s going to be hard to argue that the A’s don’t have the best cards in the set this year. Even something as simple as running the bases looks pretty cool in those bright yellow jerseys. This card might not crack the top three from Oakland’s team set but could still beat several of the best cards from other teams.

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 02: Michael Choice #35 of the Oakland Athletics runs the bases against the Texas Rangers at O.co Coliseum on September 2, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: The crop on this one is pretty good. Choice’s entire upper body is in the fram eand Topps made a good choice on where to crop along the bottom. The expression isn't one of exertion so I wonder if this is a home run trot? He is leaning but I don’t know if that means he is running hard or if he’s just about to round third. Let’s go to the BOXSCORE.

An A’s victory is a good sign for Choice. Let’s see how he did at the plate and on the base paths.

Interesting. How often do you see the the DH batting last in the lineup? And batting .000 in a game in September? I know the card says he’s a rookie but I wonder how far into his career this is?

In the bottom of the third, Choice walked but didn't make it past first base.

Choice led off the bottom of the fifth by beating out a ground ball and errant throw from the third baseman. Coco Crisp followed that up with a home run, with Choice being the eventual game winning run. Nice! I’m guessing this is what the photo shows. So I was half right. It was a home run trot, just not Choice’s home run. He would line out in his final at bat.

I already mentioned the A’s bright yellow jerseys, but here is where I confirm they are in fact alternates.

Choice will also get credit for a little Free Advertising by showing off his Mizuno batting gloves and wrist band.

Another niche we haven’t seen in a while that will probably become more prevalent are Tattoos.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Michael was one of 7 UT-Arlington alums to play in the Majors in ’13.

I don’t know what the record would be, but that sounds like a lot. I found an all-time list on Baseball-Reference.com and sorted it by the last year played and came up with 18 players somewhere in pro-ball that came from UT-Arlington. The bolded players below are the seven that played in the Majors.

And then we get to the blurb where it confirms that this September 2, 2013 game featured on the front was indeed his MLB debut, in front of his friends and family. So to recap, in his MLB debut, he walked, hustled on a ground ball which might have caused a hurried, errant throw and would score the game winning run. Not a bad day at the office on any day, let alone a debut.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #27

Player Name: Michael Choice

Team: Oakland A’s

Position: Outfield

Game Date: September 2, 2013

Opponent: Texas Rangers

Stadium: O.co Coliseum

Division: American League West

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 4-2, A’s over the Rangers, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: Yes, alternate

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 11/10/1989

Birthplace: Texas

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Thearon W. Henderson

Niche collections this card could fit into: Former 1^st Round Draft Pick, Alternate Jersey, Free Advertising, Tattoos, MLB Debut, Rookie Card

My Grade: Usually I reserve my A+ grade for “no doubters” where you instantly look at a card and know it’s awesome. For me, this one was an A at first glance. The crop is good, the alternate jersey is cool. The running “pose” is one that isn't quite overdone yet.  I even said it would be the best card on another team. But learning more about it made me like it even more and there’s only one grade higher, an A+.

#329 Matt Holliday

#329 Matt Holliday

First impression of what’s going on: Looks like Matt Holliday has the beat on a fly ball hit his way. I don’t know much about photography, but I can only imagine the lens needed to get an image that clear from the distance this had to be taken from. Probably one of those that are the size of Prince Fielder’s thigh. Holliday is listed as an outfielder but I believe he plays left field more often than not. So the photographer was probably in/near the first base dugout. Crazy.

ST. LOUIS, MO - JUNE 1: Matt Holliday #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals catches a fly ball against the San Francisco Giants in the seventh inning during game one of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium on June 1, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Giants 8-0. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: The caption gives us just about every piece of information we’d need about the play. The only thing missing is the batter, but hopefully narrowing it down to the 7^th inning is enough help. Let’s go to the BOXSCORE.

Always nice to shutout the defending World Champions. And for the record, the Cardinals swept the double header by beating the Giants in Game 2, 7-1.

Luckily, there was only one flyball to left field in the 7^th inning and the batter was Nick Noonan.

In addition to being a good photo, the card fits into a couple of niches.

First up, Holliday is another one wearing sunglasses as an accessory instead of eye protection.

We get a sneak peak at a Nike logo on his shoe for some Free Advertising.

The Cardinals wore alternate jerseys for both games in the double header.

And lastly, I don’t actually collect cards of guys named Matt (my name), but I know some people collect cards of people with their names. Holliday is the second player to join the Players Named Matt niche.

I see Bob Gibson peaking but he doesn’t get a cameo appearance.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Matt was the third Colorado Rockies rookie ever to hit a grand slam, 6/12/2004.

I did a quick search but aside from searching every rookie from every season to see if they hit  grand slam, I couldn't find the other two. I did find a game recap where Nolan Arenado hit one as a rookie last season. There was no mention in the article that he was the first Rockies rookie to do it since…so and so did it. Oh well.

Before I forget, tying this card to A-Rod’s card from yesterday is the red text designating a league leader.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #329

Player Name: Matt Holliday

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Position: Outfield

Game Date: June 1, 2013

Opponent: San Francisco Giants

Stadium: Busch Stadium

Division: National League Central

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 8-0, Cardinals over the Giants, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: Yes, alternate

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 1/15/1980

Birthplace: Oklahoma

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Dilip Vishnawat

Niche collections this card could fit into: League Leader in Italics, Alternate Jersey, Sunglasses, Free Advertising, Players Named Matt, Unnecessary Censorship

My Grade: I don’t really hate the Cardinals, but I toe the company line when it comes to the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry. Holliday, however, has been on my s-list since this incident a couple years back.

That said, this is pretty nice card. Despite the miscrop by Topps, it hit several niches. I can’t justify giving it any lower than an A aside from my bias.

#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.

#326 Khris Davis

Yesterday I had Chris Davis. Not to be confused with today’s Khris Davis.

#326 Khris Davis

First impression of what’s going on: We've got a nice action shot here, leaping at the wall to stop a home run, or at least an extra base hit. The slightly too tight crop will keep it from a no doubter A+, but let's see if we can't find enough to make sure he gets an A. If he ended up making the catch, there's not much to stop it. Normally I root against the NL Central rival Brewers, but I’m kind of hoping this one does well. A great card is a great card.

MILWAUKEE, WI - AUGUST 3: Khris Davis #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a catch at the wall on a ball hit by Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals, as teammate Carlos Gomez #27 looks on in the third inning at Miller Park on August 3, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: Well, according to the caption, he made the catch. So I can stop now, right? Nah. It was only the third inning, but we might as well look at the BOXSCORE to see if it was a close game and potentially one of those “game changer” moments early in the game.

Nope, but I’m sure Brewers starting pitcher Donovan Hand is happy to keep his ERA a little lower, despite taking the loss.

The inning ending catch saved two runs.

The Brewers were at home and not wearing white, so it appears Davis is wearing an alternate jersey.

With this record though, they may want to try something different this year.

Davis also makes into some collections with Eye Black and Sunglasses (on his hat). No niches for the expression, sorry.

Also not making the final cut were Cameos and Free Advertising. Teammate Carlos Gomez and a pair of bullpen guys were cropped out of the original picture. The same goes for the Gatorade jug and cups.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Milwaukee went 18-14 in Khris’ starts, but 56-74 otherwise.

I’m not real impressed with this back. No real individual statistic, although it’s always good to help your team. And actually, the Brewers were 30-26 with him in the lineup, so it wasn’t just his ability to start. According to Baseball-Reference, Davis had 6 “go-ahead” hits when the game was either tied or the Brewers were behind. That seems pretty good for a rookie. To have the confidence of your manager to hit in that situation and then actually come through.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #326

Player Name: Khris Davis

Team: Milwaukee Brewers

Position: Outfield

Game Date: August 3, 2013

Opponent: Washington Nationals

Stadium: Miller Park

Division: National League Central

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 3-0, Nationals over the Brewers, Loss for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: Yes, alternate

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 12/21/1987

Birthplace: California

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Tom Lynn

Niche collections this card could fit into: Alternate Jersey, Eye Black, Sunglasses

My Grade: I can comfortably give this card an A. Those extra niches may have even helped it overcome the cropping for an A+, but unfortunately not the lackluster backside. The front has to carry a lot of weight and luckily, it does.

#280 Everth Cabrera

Yesterday, I mentioned how much I appreciate a dirty jersey. Playing hard and sacrificing the body to get the job done. I scrolled through the file folder of 2014 Topps cards until I came upon this gem.

#280 Everth Cabrera

First impression of what’s going on: Everth Cabrera has just slid into, I’m pretty sure, third base. He’s either arguing the call and telling the umpire how safe he was or he is caught mid celebratory clap. It could be a stolen base or a triple or maybe just a close play. The cropping is pretty good. Any tighter and we wouldn't have been able to see the base and for all we know, it would have just been Cabrera telling us how big the fish was he caught.

SAN DIEGO, CA-APRIL13: Everth Cabrera #2 of the San Diego Padres claps after sliding into third base with a triple against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on April 13, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andy Hayt/SanDiego Padres/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: We have another early season photo, this one in mid-April. The photographer didn't leave Topps much room to super crop, so the photo isn't much different than the card. Like I tell my barber, just a little off the sides and top. The caption confirms a triple but nothing of the score so let's head over to the BOXSCORE.

Looks like the Padres suffered a few rough innings early and ran short of outs to catch up. But not for lack of trying on Cabrera part.

Four hits, two runs and two RBIs.

He led off the bottom of the first the pictured triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly.

In the third, he had an RBI single. Too bad he ended the inning by being caught stealing. Third base. I swear my theory on him explaining to the umpire how far he was safe came before I looked at the boxscore. I pretty much write these as I research them and always do my “first impression” by just looking at the card. Luckily the caption already clarified that this was after his triple or else we’d have a dilemma on our hands.

After a ground out in the fifth, Cabrera bounced back with a solo home run in the 7^th. C’mon, teammates! He can only knock in those of you who get on base! I guess I just been J. Baker because Venable already cleared the bases himself.

And finally, in the 9^th, he tried to start another rally with a one out single before Chirs Denorfia ended the game with a double play. For those of you keeping track, that’s a double short of the cycle for Cabrera, something no Padre has ever done. How much did you miss it by, Everth?

That much.

If I knew Petco Park a little better, I could probably tell you what the sign behind Cabrera said. Fortunately for the Free Advertising collectors, Cabrera is sporting a Nike swoosh on his undershirt.

And since we’re in Petco Park, and Cabrera is not wearing the typical white colored jersey of the home team, this must be an alternate jersey, correct?

Correct. This is one of two alternate uniform the Padres sported in 2013, along with their Sunday camo jerseys.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Everth was the first Padres rookie to hit a walk-off grand slam.

Just about every young ballplayer has pretended at one point or another to be at the plate in the bottom of the 9^th, two outs, down by three and hitting a walk-off grand slam. On August 7, 2009, Everth Cabrera almost lived that dream. His Padres weren't down by three and there weren't any outs but it's still pretty awesome to come up that big, especially as a rookie.

As to the aforementioned “dream” feat (walk-off situation, two outs, down by three), that has only happened fifteen times in the hundreds of thousands of games in MLB history. It has happened twelve other times with either one or zero outs for a total of twenty seven walk-off grand slams with the team down by three. Source: Baseball Almanac

Knowing that every team gets at least one player onto the All-Star team, the first part of the last sentence in the blurb makes you think he was the token Padre. But the second half lets you know he deserved it. Those are some impressive half season stats.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #280

Player Name: Everth Cabrera

Team: San Diego Padres

Position: Shortstop

Game Date: April 13, 2013

Opponent: Colorado Rockies

Stadium: Petco Park

Division: National League West

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 9-5, Rockies over Padres, Loss for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: Yes, alternate

Bats/Throws: Both/Right

Birthdate: 11/17/1986

Birthplace: Nicaragua

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Andy Hayt

Niche collections this card could fit into: League Leader in Italics, Switch Hitter, Dirty Jersey, Alternate Jersey, Free Advertising, Celebration

My Grade: No doubter, A+. Good photography, catching a great moment. Good crop. Lots of niches. The player had a great game. The rookie fact was interesting. And I didn't even go into the red text on the back touting his League Leader status. Nice job all around.