Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Introducing the 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team

The 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team. Image from MLB Network.

The 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team was announced this morning on MLB Network's Hot Stove program. And there are number of surprises, at least for me.

Congratulations are in order for the 11 players who make up Topps' 58th ASRT. If the player's name is in bold, it means I predicted that they would make the team yesterday).
  • 1B: Cody Bellinger, LAD (132 G, 0.267, 39 HR, 97 RBI, 0.933 OPS, 10 SB)
  • 2B: Ian Happ, CHC (115 G, 0.253, 24 HR, 68 RBI, 0.842 OPS, 8 SB)
  • 3B: Rafael Devers, BOS (58 G, 0.284, 10 HR, 30 RBI, 0.819 OPS, 3 SB)
  • SS: Paul DeJong, STL (108 G, 0.285, 26 HR, 65 RBI, 0.857 OPS, 1 SB)
  • OF: Andrew Benintendi, BOS (151 G, 0.271, 20 HR, 90 RBI, 0.776 OPS, 20 SB)
  • OF: Aaron Judge, NYY (155 G, 0.284, 52 HR, 114 RBI, 1.049 OPS, 9 SB)
  • OF: Trey Mancini, BAL (147 G, 0.293, 24 HR, 78 RBI, 0.826 OPS, 1 SB)
  • C: Manny Pina, MIL (107 G, 0.279, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 0.751 OPS, 2 SB)
  • RHSP: German Marquez, COL (29 GS, 11-7, 4.39 ERA, 147 SO, 1.376 WHIP)
  • LHSP: Jordan Montgomery, NYY (29 GS, 9-7, 3.88 ERA, 144 SO, 1.229 WHIP)
  • RP: Josh Hader, MIL (35 G, 2-3, 2.08 ERA, 68 SO, 0.986 WHIP, 0 SV)
So I guessed 7 out of now 11 spots correctly, even if I had Bellinger in the outfield and DeJong at second. I had Josh Bell at first, Matt Davidson at third, Dansby Swanson at short, and Wandy Peralta as the reliever. This was a poor showing on my end.

Now my comments.


  • Three teams have 2 representatives on the team (Brewers, Red Sox, and Yankees).
  • I am happy (pun intended) that the Cubs have some representation this time around with Happ. I had DeJong as my 2B, but Happ could have taken this spot had I thought I could use DeJong at short.
  • Topps is showing some consistency with naming three pitchers to the team (two starters, 1 reliever).
  • Even though I'm not a White Sox fan, I'm really disappointed that Devers was picked over Davidson. Granted Davidson had a low .222 batting average, but he played a full season. It just shows once again the White Sox don't get much Hobby love.
  • Had I thought of putting Bellinger in as my 1B, I would have put Mancini in as the third outfielder.

So congratulations to all. Each player will now get the illustrious rookie cup trophy added to their 2018 Topps cards. I will be going over the results shortly and will announce the winners, if any, soon.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Monday, November 6, 2017

Who Will Be Named to Topps 2017 All-Star Rookie Team?

I know I promised to post this last week, but between interviews and personal commitments, this got stalled. But since I ran the contest this year, I thought I'd get this on now before the official announcement from Topps.

The contest deadline has past and I am no longer taking any entries for the big All-Star Rookie Team contest. I thank everyone who took time to participate. There were a lot of interesting choices amongst the field of participants, so I am wishing myself the best. This could get mighty expensive if I make enough mistakes.

By now, the Topps Company should have already decided who is going to be part of the 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, and will get that lovely gold trophy added to their 2018 Topps baseball cards. So without further ado, here are my picks for the 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie team. If you out-guessed me, participants who have already sent their entries to my e-mail address could win a complete 150-card set of 2005 Topps Rookie Cup (contest rules here):
  • 1B: Josh Bell, PIT (159 G, 0.255, 26 HR, 90 RBI, 0.800 OPS, 2 SB)
  • 2B: Paul DeJong, STL (108 G, 0.285, 26 HR, 65 RBI, 0.857 OPS, 1 SB)
  • 3B: Matt Davidson, CWS (118 G, 0.220, 26 HR, 68 RBI, 0.711 OPS, 0 SB)
  • SS: Dansby Swanson, ATL (144 G, 0.232, 6 HR, 51 RBI, 0.636 OPS, 3 SB)
  • OF: Cody Bellinger, LAD (132 G, 0.267, 39 HR, 97 RBI, 0.933 OPS, 10 SB)
  • OF: Andrew Benintendi, BOS (151 G, 0.271, 20 HR, 90 RBI, 0.776 OPS, 20 SB)
  • OF: Aaron Judge, NYY (155 G, 0.284, 52 HR, 114 RBI, 1.049 OPS, 9 SB)
  • C: Manny Pina, MIL (107 G, 0.279, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 0.751 OPS, 2 SB)
  • RHSP: German Marquez, COL (29 GS, 11-7, 4.39 ERA, 147 SO, 1.376 WHIP)
  • LHSP: Jordan Montgomery, NYY (29 GS, 9-7, 3.88 ERA, 144 SO, 1.229 WHIP)
  • RP: Wandy Peralta, CIN (67 G, 3-4, 3.76 ERA, 57 SO, 1.190 WHIP, 0 SV)

For sure there will be players like Ian Happ of the Cubs, Rhys Hoskins of the Phillies, Trey Mancini of the Orioles, Matt Olsen of the Athletics who will warrant consideration, as well as Rockies rookie pitchers Anthony Senzatela, and Kyle Freeland, as well as Keynan Middleton of the Angels and Jharel Cotton of the Athletics.

Let the debates begin!!! And good luck to everybody. Now...we wait.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Thursday, November 2, 2017

As Today is November 2, 2017

November 2 is traditionally All Souls Day. It is the day where we celebrate the lives of family and friends who have passed away. Many will go to cemeteries and pray, some may even picnic on the grounds. It is not really a day of mourning, but a day of reflection. Remembering those who we strongly miss.

Personally, I would like to honor my grandparents, Felix Anama, Leonor Filoteo Anama, Gloria Y. Nichols, Ruben S. Menguito, Sgt. Clinton H. Nichols. As well as countless great aunts and uncles too numerous to list.

Today I want to remember the seven souls who died on January 8, 1993, at the Brown's Chicken in Palatine, Illinois: Michael C. Castro, Rico Solis, Thomas Mennes, Marcus Nellsen, Guadalupe Maldonado, Richard Ehlenfeldt, and Lynn Ehlenfeldt.

I would like to remember the people I've met over the years who left us too soon: Lynn Swoboda, Shannon McNamara, Linda Beyer, Gail Leff, Lois Winesburgh, Mary Jo Scanlan, Nancy Huber, Joseph Nasca, Antoinette Nasca, Dan Doles, Chris Stufflestreet, Thomas Scanlon, Darrin Steffey, Katie (Olin) Wood, Erin (Ryals) Semerad, Leonard "LJ" Marek, Rob Swanson, Steve Hanson.

On behalf of my wife, I would like to honor her grandparents, uncles, and especially, her mother (since I have not asked for my wife's permission to do so, I am not adding their names here).

Finally, I would like to take a moment to remember the families, the loved ones who were left behind.

Now that the personal side of the blog has been taken care of, I would also like to take time to remember 86 more people. Between 11/02/2016 and 11/01/2017, 84 people who can lay claim to playing major league baseball, 5 of whom had the honor of being a manager of a major league franchise (even for one game), passed away. Many lived long productive lives, even after their careers ended. Others, tragically, either passed away before their potential could be fully reached or before they could enjoy the fruits of their retirement.

Today, I take time out of my humble little baseball card blog to remember (please note that I had missed two names last year, players who died between 10/04/2016-11/01/2016, and am including them within the list below).

Joe Kirrene
10/19/2016
John Orsino
11/1/2016
Vern Handrahan
11/2/2016
Eddie Carnett
11/4/2016
Marlan Coughtry
11/8/2016
Russ Nixon
11/9/2016
Bob Addis
11/15/2016
Ralph Branca
11/23/2016
Dave Ferriss
11/24/2016
Bill Endicott
11/26/2016
Stu Locklin
12/4/2016
Putsy Caballero
12/8/2016
Phil Gagliano
12/20/2016
Jim Lehew
12/23/2016
John Barfield
12/24/2016
Johnny Rutherford
12/25/2016
Chris Cannizzaro
12/29/2016
Daryl Spencer
1/2/2017
Bob Sadowski
1/6/2017
Greg Jelks
1/6/2017
Bill Champion
1/7/2017
Jackie Brown
1/8/2017
Red Adams
1/18/2017
Dick Starr
1/18/2017
Walt Streuli
1/19/2017
Ken Wright
1/21/2017
Andy Marte
1/22/2017
Yordano Ventura
1/22/2017
Morris Nettles
1/24/2017
Bob Bowman
1/27/2017
Mark Brownson
2/1/2017
Harry Macpherson
2/19/2017
Ned Garver
2/26/2017
Bill Hands
3/9/2017
Bob Bruce
3/14/2017
Jose Zardon
3/21/2017
Dallas Green
3/22/2017
Mark Higgins
3/22/2017
Jack Faszholz
3/25/2017
Todd Frohwirth
3/26/2017
Ruben Amaro
3/31/2017
Roy Sievers
4/3/2017
Bob Cerv
4/6/2017
Vic Barnhart
4/13/2017
Vic Albury
4/18/2017
Luis Olmo
4/28/2017
Sam Mele
5/1/2017
Bob Kuzava
5/15/2017
Ed Mierkowicz
5/19/2017
Dave McDonald
5/19/2017
Steve Waterbury
5/19/2017
Jim Bunning
5/26/2017
Herm Starrette
6/2/2017
Jimmy Piersall
6/3/2017
Hector Wagner
6/5/2017
Bob Zick
6/12/2017
Anthony Young
6/27/2017
Bob Perry
7/2/2017
Gene Conley
7/4/2017
Dom Zanni
7/6/2017
John Rheinecker
7/18/2017
Lee May
7/29/2017
Darren Daulton
8/6/2017
Don Baylor
8/7/2017
Danny Walton
8/9/2017
Don Gross
8/10/2017
Paul Casanova
8/12/2017
Stan Swanson
9/1/2017
Paul Schaal
9/1/2017
Tom Wright
9/5/2017
Gene Michael
9/7/2017
Jim Donohue
9/9/2017
Dave Hilton
9/17/2017
Garry Hill
9/20/2017
Ed Phillips
9/20/2017
Mickey Harrington
9/20/2017
Solly Hemus
10/2/2017
John Herrnstein
10/3/2017
Jim Landis
10/7/2017
Don Lock
10/8/2017
Roy Hawes
10/9/2017
Mike McQueen
10/9/2017
Daniel Webb
10/14/2017
Ed Barnowski
10/17/2017
Chuck Churn
10/21/2017
Ross Powell
10/25/2017


Sincerely,

JayBee Anama