Random Topps Card of the Day: 2012 Topps Update Series #US15 Justin Verlander AL All-Star Pitcher

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, January 07, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2012 Topps Update Series #US15.
• Player Name, position, team: Justin Verlander, All-Star Pitcher, American League.
• Blurb on the Back:  "Selected to the MLB All-Star Game for the fifth time in the last six campaigns, Verlander was named the AL starting pitcher.  He earned the privilege by compiling a 9-5 record with a 2.58 ERA in the first half, allowing fewer than one base runner per inning.  A highlight was his one-hit shutout of the Pirates in May in which he struck out a dozen."
• Commentary: There is an old saying that nobody is perfect.  There is also a saying in baseball that everybody has a bad game from time to time, even the best players.  Justin Verlander is right now one of the best pitchers in baseball.  He was the Cy Young winner the year before, heck, he won the MVP award as well.  And he was cruising along during the 2012 season when he was named to the AL All-Star Team.  Not only did he make the team, but Ron Washington named him the starter.  Unfortunately, that bad day that good players have from time to time, happened at the All-Star Game.  Before the American League batters could even get a shot at the plate, Verlander imploded.  After striking out Carlos Gonzalez, he allowed a single and a run-scoring double.  After striking out Joey Votto, he walked the next two batters to load the bases and then, in what could only be described as a sign of things to come, an omen if you will, Pablo Sandoval of the Giants hit a bases clearing triple, and came home on a single by the next hitter.  When all was said and done, he had allowed five runs to score, on four hits.  You know that story about that little league team that was down 23-0 that wasn't worried about the score because they had yet to bat?  This isn't the story.  It set the tone for the entire game. Add Matt Cain and the NL pitching staff just dominating the AL hitters, and the National Leaguers won their third straight ASG by a score of 8-0.  Fortunately for Justin, this doesn't count towards his yearly statistics.  And fortunately for Tigers fans that he can shake of adversity without a hitch.  Why?  Because after the ASG, Justin Verlander went 8-3 with an ERA of 2.73, striking out 111 batters and had a WHIP of 1.192.  He finished the year second in Cy Young Voting and eighth in MVP voting.  
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.20-$0.50.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1982 Topps #228. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama