Random Topps Card of the Day: 2003 Topps #192 Adam Kennedy

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Tuesday, August 10, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2003 Topps #192.
• Player Name, position, team: Adam Kennedy, second baseman, Anaheim Angels.
• Major League Debut: August 21, 1999.
• Last Line of Statistics: 2002 stats (Angels): 144 G, 474 AB, 65 R, 148 H, 32 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, 52 RBI, 17 SB, .449 SLG, 19 BB, 80 SO, .288 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Cardinals #1st, June 1997. Traded by the Cardinals to the Angels 03/23/2000. Bats: left, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Kennedy's sixth regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only). The blue borders of the 2002 set really accentuates some of the pictures on the cards, especially if the player is wearing red, blue, black, or white. Orange, green...eh, not so much. But in the case of this card, the picture really pops because of the colors, and framed by the solid blue borders, it just works. I can't imagine what would have happened if they went with a different color for the border (like yellow...or red...oh wait, never mind). Adam Kennedy broke out in a big way in 2002 as one of the catalysts for the Angels' team of destiny. After years of frustration, the Halos finally reached the promised land in 2002 (pun intended). And Kennedy led the way, going 16-47 in the 2002 playoffs, with 4 home runs, 10 rbi's, and two stolen bases. While the card back doesn't mention any of his postseason exploits (that came later on card #353), it does say that the date April 18 is a specialy date historically for Kennedy. On 04/18/2000, he became the first rookie in 25 years to drive in 8 runs in a single game (two singles, a triple, and a home run will do that for you) against the Blue Jays. And one year later, he went 3-3, with a walk, a triple, a stolen base, two runs scored, and the game winning RBI in a 3-2 win over the Athletics. He returned to the Cardinals as a Free Agent in 2007, and after a couple of years with the Cards, went on to play for the Athletics, and is presently holding down second base for the Washington Nationals.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 25 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1995 Topps Traded and Rookies #65T. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. We're looking back at a card from 1995 here on the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama