MLB Dream Bracket Alt-Topps Cards Part 3

A's v Rays and Orioles v Astros

These "games" have already been played, you can check the results here. I got a chance to watch a bit of these yesterday.  I was disappointed.  The graphics were almost non existent.  I was hoping for something more like the White Sox are doing with NBCSN and "MLB The Show". 

The "greatest" player selection was made by "Twitch" or "Out of the Park" or "Draft Kings" or whoever.  I can't say I totally agree. Also there were no players "disqualified". That mean they included "Shoeless"  Joe Jackson, Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, etc.  In fact, there seems to be a plethora of steroids-era players.

These games are going on right now. As I type many American Leagues have already been eliminated. So I'm doubling up today. Just want to get as many cards out while they are still relevant. I'm still making 4 for each team, 1 pitcher and 3 position players. Once again, the card design is based on a rejected Topps design from the late sixties.

For the A's, I made cards of Eddie Plank, Jimmie Foxx, Bert Campaneris, and Rickey Henderson.  On the Rays there is David Price, Fred McGriff, Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria,

In the Orioles-Astros match up, we have Jim Palmer, Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken. For the Astros it's JR Richard, Cesar Cedeno, Brad Ausmus and Carlos Correa.

1984 Topps Stadium Statues: 2019 ALDS - Rays vs Astros Edition

This life-size Boggs statue is across from his display in Ted Williams' Hitters' Hall of Fame at Tropicana Field. The statue commemorates his 3000th hit. It happened to be a two run homer in Tampa Bay.  The Bagwell Statue is outside another domed stadium named after orange juice, Minute Maid Park.  These guys are both depicted in possibly the ugliest uniforms in the respective franchises' histories.   

My favorite Houston uni is the Original Colt .45 home uniforms, followed closely by the Tequila Sunrise '70s uni.  The Rays hands-down-best is their 70's faux-back based loosely on the San Diego Padres of that era. There may be some room for discussion on Houston uniforms, but the 70's faux-back is the only correct answer for Tampa Bay.

TBT - Tampa Bay Rays Edition

This past Saturday, the Rays broke out their "Faux-Back" uniforms and took on the Giants who wore their 1978-82 orange road uniforms. I decided to make a 1979 Kellogg's Card That Never Was for Evan Longoria. 

 Since these are fake throwbacks, I don't have a card to compare, but here is the cereal box, instead. It was Kellogg's 10th year of inserting 3D cards into their cereal boxes. Their sugary cereal was still begged for by card-collecting kids. They looked forward to finding Pete Rose, George Brett or Reggie Jackson among their Frosted Flakes while watching Scrappy Doo on Saturday morning before heading off to Little League. 

1983 Topps Super Veterans: Red Sox Vs. Rays

A.L. Divisional Series Edition

Big Papi made is debut on September 2, 1997 versus the Cubs. This was the 1st year of interleague play and the Cubs beat the Twins at Wrigley 9-3. Ortiz was a pinch hitter for the pitcher Travis Miller in the 7th. He flied out deep to left-center.

This is the 3rd time I've used this card, I first posted it here for the tie-breaker versus the Rangers. Next I re-posted it here for the Wildcard game versus the Indians. Jose has a .235 batting average overall in postseason play. He has not had a hit yet in the 2013 postseason.

1983 Topps Super Veterans: Indians Vs. Rays

A.L. Wildcard Edition

I cheated a little on this one. I went back to the 1992 Olympic baseball team. USA came in 4th when baseball was introduced to the Olympics for the 1st time. Giambi hit .296 and played 1st base for Team USA in Barcelona. He would make his MLB debut 3 years later for the Oakland A's.

This cards was already posted here for the tie-breaker versus the Rangers. Molina didn't have much impact on the 5-2 victory over the Rangers. He went 0-4.

1983 Topps Super Veterans: Rangers Vs. Rays

Because 162 Games Are Not Enough.

Ever wonder why A.J. Pierzynski seems to have a chip on his shoulder?  Maybe it is because in his first Major League game he was beaned by Angels pitcher, Trevor Wilson. A.J. made the most of it by scoring on an Alex Ochoa triple but the Twins came up short losing 10-8.

Jose Molina is the middle brother of the 3 baseball Molinas. Bengie is the oldest and retired in 2010. Yadier is the youngest and still playing for the Cardinals. Jose went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored in his first game, September 6, 1999. The Cubs lost despite his efforts, 6-3 to the Reds. The Reds tested the rookie catcher, stealing 3 bases.

2011 Managers of the Year

The selection of 2011 Managers of the year surprised no one. Madden and Gibson were the favorites but I had a sneaky feeling that LaRussa would somehow get the nod out of sentimentality. I have to admit the Gibson card was made for the NL Championship Series but never got posted because they were eliminated. But the Madden card is freshly made.

Broadcasters Playoff Edition: Rays vs. Rangers

The post season is upon us and here is how the ex-players match up in the broadcast booths.

Brian Anderson is finishing his first full season as the Rays color commentator. He pitched on 5 teams in 13 seasons and had an 82-83 record.

Tom Grieve has been broadcasting for the Rangers since 1995. He and his son, Ben Grieve, were both 1st round draft picks. A career .249 hitter, his best year was 1976 when he hit 20 homers with 81 RBIs as a DH on the Texas Rangers.