#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+.

#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.