Introducing Your 2011 AL Cy Young Award Winner...Like This Was Going to be a Big Surprise

In recent years, Topps has reserved six cards within Series 1 for the AL and NL award winners that are being announced this week. Unfortunately, this year's preliminary checklist doesn't specify what numbers are being held for the them.  But yesterday afternoon, we learned who was named the American League's Cy Young Award Winner.

Congratulations to Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers for winning the AL Cy Young Award. In what should have been no big surprise, Verlander was unanimously declared the winner.  And why not?  He led the AL in Wins, ERA, K's, and WHIP (24-5 record, 2.40 ERA, 250 K's, and .920 WHIP in 251 innings of work), a Triple Crown, and then some.

In receiving all 28 first-place votes (points), Verlander beat out a field that included Jered Weaver of the Angels (97, 17 second-place votes), James Shields of the Rays (66, 5), CC Sabathia of the Yankees (63, 5), teammate Jose Valverde (28, 1), C. J. Wilson of the Rangers (9), Dan Haren of the Angels (7), Mariano Rivera of the Yankees (4), Josh Beckett of the Red Sox (3), Ricky Romero of the Blue Jays (2), and David Robertson of the Yankees (1).  This, after only getting one point in last year's Cy Young ballotting.

Verlander becomes the 21st pitcher to unanimously win the award (Roy Halladay won last year's NL award in the same fashion), and the twelfth pitcher to do so along with winning the Triple Crown.  He is also the first Tigers pitcher to win the award since Willie Hernandez in 1984 and the Tigers' first starting pitcher to win since Denny McLain all the way back in 1968.

Let the debates continue. Did your guy win???

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Introducing Your 2011 MLB Rookies of the Year - A Diamond Duo Imagined

Don't bother looking for this card...IT DOESN'T EXIST!

In recent years, Topps has reserved six cards within Series 1 for the AL and NL award winners that are being announced this week. Unfortunately, this year's preliminary checklist doesn't specify what numbers are being held for the them.  But this afternoon, we learned who was named the Rookies of the Year in both the National and American Leagues.
Congratulations to both Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves and Jeremy Hellickson of the Tampa Bay Rays for winning the National League and American League Rookies of the Year Awards. Until the announcements were made this afternoon, it was anybody's guess as to who would win either award, as both leagues had many worthy candidates.

In what turned out to be a rare unanimous decision, Kimbrel, the Braves All-Star closer, blew past the competition with all 32 first-place votes (160 points). He beat out seven other players for the award, including teammate Freddie Freeman (70 points, 21 second place votes), Vance Worley of the Phillies (40 points), Wilson Ramos of the Nationals (6), Josh Collmenter of the Diamondbacks (5), Danny Espinosa of the Nationals (3), Darwin Barney of the Cubs (2), and Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers (2).

Hellickson, another one of the Rays stockpile of dangerous arms (102 points, 17 first-place votes), beat out a field that included Mark Trumbo of the Angels (63, 5), Eric Hosmer of the Royals (38, 4), Ivan Nova of the Yankees (30, 1), Michael Pineda of the Mariners (11 points), Dustin Ackley, also of the Mariners (6, 1 first-place vote), teammate Desmond Jennings (1), and Jordan Walden of the Angels (1).

Normally, I would include both winners' 2011 Topps cards above the post.  But while Hellickson makes an appearance in series 2, Kimbrel doesn't have a regular 2011 Topps card to his name.  He does get a card in the Update Series, but it's as an All-Star, not a regular card.  So I came up with the card above.  No, the card isn't real.  But luckily, the players were positioned in such a way on their respective Diamond Duos cards (Hellickson shares his card with Greg Maddux in Series 2; Kimbrel joins teammate Julio Teheran in the Update Series) that made the card above very easy to cut and paste.

So begins a wild week were debates will come fast and furious. Did your guy win??? 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

To The Men and Women Who Serve in the United States Armed Forces 11-11-11

This was written last year, but the sentiments remain the same. Thank you.


November 11, 1919: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public meetings.

On June 1, 1954, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day. (from The History of Veterans Day)

To the Men and Women who serve in the US Armed Forces:

I will not pretend I know the infinite different reasons why you made the decision to join the US Military.

I can only imagine what your basic training was like (I'm not even sure the movies do any justice).

I will not pretend to know the feeling of being away from family, friends and all of the comforts of home, having been assigned to a foreign land, serving the interests of our country.

I will not say that I necessarily agree with ALL of the reasons why our country has gone to war.

I will not pretend to know what it is like out in the battlefields, not knowing if I was going to live to see another day.

But I will say this.

Thank you.

Thank you all for your service to our country.

Thank you for the sacrifices you made so that we can continue to live with the freedoms that we enjoy.

Your courage is nothing if not inspiring. Your stories become tales of legend that deserve to be told again and again.

For these, and countless other reasons, I give you my respect.

And I give you thanks.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

We're Number #16! We're Number #16!

Maybe it was because I told him that I couldn't wait to see which blogs makes his list.  Maybe it was because I sent an e-mail to him about the possibility of putting his list on the Sports Card Blogroll as a possible monthly section featuring a blogger's favorite blogs.  Maybe it was because I said that I knew that there was no way in heck that this dog-and-pony-show of a blog would even scratch his list.
 
Whatever the reason...IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!  Break out the Kool and the Gang Album!!!
 
Why?
 
Because John Bateman of the blog Donruss 1982 has ranked this blog as number 16 on his "The 20 greatest Sports Card Blogs of all-time.
 
Let's see what he has to say about this humble, little blog:
 
"Well, Big Daddy J obviously is the driving force of the Baseball Card Blogroll, which that in itself makes his blog famous. While he tends to be more towards sports focus, he applies that focus to cards. For example, his blogs about guessing who is going to be pick to Topps All-Rookie team are thought provoking.  He used to have the random Topps card of the day (an awesome feature) but BJD seems to be posting a little less recently. Has been around since May of 2008."
 
Okay, well about that posting a little less recently, I apologize to you and all the people who still take the time to read this blog.  I have no excuses (you've already read about them in past apology posts).  The blog has evolved as well from its original intentions.  The cards are still the stars.  I just need to find a better (more original) way to present them. 
 
I have always believed that there are better blogs than this taco stand, so to be ranked at 16 is very humbling to say the least.  I mean, let me run down the list that he's put out so far:
 

• #20 Crinkly Wrappers/This Card is Cool (tie)
• #19 mojo and beardy's fantastic card blog
• #18 My 2008 Topps Set Blog
• #17 The Phillies Room

 
And his honorable mentions included garvey cey russell lopes, The Lost Collector, Dinged Corners, Bad Wax, Too Many Grandersons, and Johngy's Beat.  A lot of great blogs have already been featured...and he still has fifteen more to announce.
 
Thanks John.  The offer still stands to post your top 20 list as it progresses onto the SCBR as its own section for a month, depending on when you finish your series. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Rejoice Sticker Fans!!! For We Will Be Gifted with MLB Stickers in 2012!!!

According to the Number One Source of the Hobby, there will be a 2012 Topps Sticker Collection coming in March.
 
Cue the cheering crowds.  Cue the excitement.
 
The good news:  There will be mascot stickers (25 of them).  There will be 2011 season highlight stickers (nine...these replace the legends).  There will be 30 foil team stickers (two logos per sticker, including the new Miami Marlins logo).
 
The caveat:  There will be 245 player stickers.  The mascot stickers will be part of the team pages, meaning that 25 teams will have eight players on their page plus their biggest cheerleader (245 + 25 =270).  That's 25 less players getting the sticker treatment.  Ouch!
 
The sticker album will once again contain 32 pages, and hold 309 stickers, just like last year's wildly successful edition.  Now personally, I would have preferred more stickers and more pages, just like the sticker albums of years gone by.  But season highlights are nice.  And the design of the base stickers works. 
 
It is supposed to come out in March, 2012, just in time for spring training.  Enjoy the preview.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Who Will Be Named to Topps 2011 All-Star Rookie Team?

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. 

For some reason, I never did get to use the computer downstairs all of last week, so I missed posting this when I said I would.  So that means that any entries that were sent to my e-mail address between November 2 and November 6 will be included as part of the contest.  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. 
 
The Topps Company has already sent the 30 MLB managers a ballot that will determine who will get voted into the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, and will get that lovely gold trophy added to their 2012 Topps baseball cards (unless they return to the horrid silver cup from 2010...or worse, if they forget to put them on at all!!!) So without further ado, here are my picks for the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie team.  If you out-guessed me, participants who have already sent their entries to my e-mail address (and those who inadvertantly left their picks in the comments) could win a complete 150-card set of 2005 Topps Rookie Cup (contest rules here):
 

• 1B: Freddie Freeman, ATL (157 G, 0.282, 21 HR, 76 RBI)
• 2B: Danny Espinosa, WSH (158 G, 0.236, 21 HR, 66 RBI, 17 SB)
• 3B: Brent Morel, CWS (126 G, 0.245, 10 HR, 41 RBI)
• SS: Dee Gordon, LAD (56 G, 0.304, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 24 SB)
• OF: Eric Thames, TOR (95 G, 0.262, 12 HR, 37 RBI)
• OF: Ben Revere, MIN (117 G, 0.267, 0 HR, 30 RBI, 34 SB)
• OF: Doug Jennings, TB (63 G, 0.259, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 20 SB, 0.805 OPS)
• C: J. P. Arencibia, TOR (129 G, 0.219, 23 HR, 78 RBI)
• RHP: Ivan Nova, NYY (27 GS, 16-4, 3.70 ERA, 98 K, 1.331 WHIP)
• LHP: Corey Luebke, SD (17 GS, 6-10, 3.29 ERA, 154 K, 1.067 WHIP)
• RHP: Craig Kimbrel, ATL (79 G, 4-3, 2.10 ERA, 127 K, 1.039 WHIP, 46 SV)

 
For sure there will be players like Mark Trumbo of the Angels, Eric Hosmer of the Royals, and Daniel Descalso of the Cardinals who warrant consideration, as well as Zach Britton of the Orioles, Jeremy Hellickson of the Rays, Jordan Walden of the Angels, and others will have their votes (from either the MLB managers, or you the readers).
 
Let the debates begin!!!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

As Today is November 2, 2011

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: Shannon McNamara, Linda Beyer, Gail Leff, Lois Winesburgh, Nancy Huber, Joseph Nasca.

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 106 more people. Between 11/02/2010 and 11/01/2011, 106 people who can lay claim to playing major league baseball, 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.

On this night, I take time out of my humble little baseball card blog to remember:

Clyde King	11/2/2010
Sparky Anderson	11/4/2010
Jay Van Noy	11/6/2010
George Estock	11/7/2010
George Binks	11/13/2010
Hal Bamberger	11/14/2010
Ed Kirkpatrick	11/15/2010
Elder White	11/16/2010
Danny McDevitt	11/20/2010
Steve Kuczek	11/21/2010
Tom Underwood	11/22/2010
Bill Werle	11/27/2010
Cal Emery	11/28/2010
Gil McDougald	11/28/2010
R.C. Stevens	11/30/2010
Ron Santo	12/3/2010
Ken Lehman	12/4/2010
Art Mahan	12/7/2010
Cardell Camper	12/7/2010
Bob Feller	12/15/2010
Walt Dropo	12/17/2010
Phil Cavarretta	12/18/2010
Karl Olson	12/25/2010
Steve Boros	12/29/2010
Francisco de la Rosa	1/6/2011
Ryne Duren	1/6/2011
Jose Vidal	1/7/2011
Red Borom	1/7/2011
Dave Sisler	1/9/2011
Roy Hartsfield	1/15/2011
Perry Currin	1/17/2011
Al Grunwald	1/18/2011
George Crowe	1/18/2011
Gus Zernial	1/20/2011
Jose Ortiz	1/20/2011
Ron Piche	2/3/2011
Woodie Fryman	2/4/2011
Cliff Dapper	2/8/2011
Tony Malinosky	2/8/2011
Chuck Tanner	2/11/2011
Gino Cimoli	2/12/2011
Joe Frazier	2/15/2011
Buddy Lewis	2/18/2011
Len Gilmore	2/18/2011
Spook Jacobs	2/18/2011
Greg Goossen	2/26/2011
Duke Snider	2/27/2011
Scott Cary	2/28/2011
Bob McNamara	3/9/2011
Mitchell Page	3/12/2011
Fred Sanford	3/15/2011
Marty Marion	3/15/2011
Tommy Dunbar	3/16/2011
Charlie Metro	3/18/2011
Bob Rush	3/19/2011
Tom McAvoy	3/19/2011
Normie Roy	3/22/2011
Tom Silverio	4/2/2011
Eddie Joost	4/12/2011
Bobo Osborne	4/15/2011
Reno Bertoia	4/15/2011
Jim Heise	4/21/2011
Bobby Thompson	4/25/2011
Mike Krsnich	4/30/2011
Duane Pillette	5/6/2011
Carlos Pascual	5/12/2011
Mel Queen	5/13/2011
Harmon Killebrew	5/17/2011
Jim Pyburn	5/21/2011
Paul Splittorff	5/25/2011
Bill Harris	5/28/2011
Jose Pagan	6/7/2011
Jim Northrup	6/8/2011
Ted Gray	6/15/2011
Richie Myers	6/24/2011
Elmer Sexauer	6/27/2011
Billy Baldwin	6/29/2011
Don Buddin	6/30/2011
Wes Covington	7/4/2011
Dick Williams	7/7/2011
Howard Hilton	7/12/2011
Tex Nelson	7/22/2011
Mike Palm	7/24/2011
Hideki Irabu	7/27/2011
Alex Pitko	8/1/2011
Joe Caffie	8/1/2011
Al Federoff	8/2/2011
Bob Will	8/11/2011
Joe Trimble	8/11/2011
Ernie Johnson	8/12/2011
Mike Flanagan	8/24/2011
Frank Fanovich	8/27/2011
Jesse Jefferson	9/8/2011
Bill Taylor	9/15/2011
Danny Litwhiler	9/23/2011
Eddie Bockman	9/29/2011
John Romonosky	10/2/2011
Ralph Hodgin	10/4/2011
Johnny Schmitz	10/5/2011
Cy Buker	10/11/2011
Don Williams	10/16/2011
Merritt Ranew	10/18/2011
Roy Smalley	10/22/2011
Bert Cueto	10/25/2011
Dave Cole	10/26/2011
Ricky Adams	10/28/2011

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama