2010 American League Championship Series preview

The Texas Rangers enter the American League Championship Series with a good shot to get past the New York Yankees and get to the World Series for the first time in franchise history - thanks in part to a very good pitching staff and a lineup can bash and mash as one of the best in Major League Baseball.

Rangers No. 1 starter Cliff Lee needs no introduction as a legitimate ace - however C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis have performed as well as anyone could have guessed and expect competent pitching performances.

If the two non-Lee pitchers do falter a bit, it will be up to the hitters like Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Michael Young and other to make up for any deficits on the board - sadly it is going to be with the Rangers, but with a big series, 35-year old Vladimir Guerrero has an opportunity to make up for his postseason shortcomings over the past six years.

The New York Yankees are still the best team money can buy, but it boring talking about how great they are - any lineup they put out can match the Rangers hit for hit, run for run.

On the mound, C.C. Sabathia is money and so is Andy Pettitte - the spectre of Mariano Rivera looms in the late innings and the Rangers need to jump on the starters early and be able to hold the lead.

Where every play seems magnified, the Rangers' ability to play small-ball baseball helps them - bunt the ball over, hit the ball to the right side, don't get caught napping on the bases and not making any mental mistakes on the field. Riding the momentum of winning their first postseason series, manager Ron Washington needs to make sure his Rangers play without any jitters.

Ultimately, it would be no surprise to anyone if the Wild Card Yankees got to another World Series stage - but the Rangers are a team that can catch lightning in a bottle and 'upset' the Yankees to win the American League pennant.

Tim Lin-CACK-UM

My parents have both become baseball fans, probably because of the Angels run to the World Series championship back in 2010 - as opposed to being completely oblivious to the sport [dad's favorite spectator sport is the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers], now they have a passing interest in Major League Baseball, bandwagon fans or not.

My mother down on the couch to get a breather after work with Game 4 of the National League Division Series [San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies] on TV - I just rolled my eyes 100 times when she asked if Tim Lin-CACK-UM was pitching in the game or not.

It wasn't even the fact the game was in the late innings, but how my mother butchered saying Tim LIN-suh-come's name - I guess I pride myself in familiarizing the pronunciation of most names and maybe Lincecum isn't a common last name, but are you serious?

Maybe I have issues, but I would have been goofing all over my only friend in the world if he said Lincecum's name the way my mother had said it - it was a silly, cringe worth moment, though probably won't be remembered after the postseason is over.

2010 National League Division Series preview

San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
The Giants should be poised to stick around in the playoffs - a starting trio of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez looks pretty impressive while the Giants' smorgasborg of castoff hitters may just give the lineup enough offense.

It has been no surprise, but catcher Buster Posey has been pretty impressive since taking over the No. 1 catching position for the Giants - he seems like a young guy who can explode with the bat, particularly in a short series.

The Braves made the playoffs despite pretty much some smoke and mirrors - Chipper Jones is hurt, Martin Prado is hurt, Nate McLouth had a terrible year and whipping boy Melky Cabrera is still penciled in as a guy who is going to play a lot, even though admittedly his bat falls short.

Braves rookie Jason Heyward has been a phenom and may give the Braves the sort of inspiring performance to boost them to the National League Championship Series - while Heyward seemed banged up for parts of the season, the 21-year old picked up 91 walks and had a .393 on-base percentage overall in 2010.

There is a story about 2010 being Bobby Cox's last hurrah in Atlanta - not to be a buzzkill, but it wouldn't bother me either way, if his Braves get dusted by the Giants in the Division Series, just to upset the 'feel good' narrative of beloved old-timey, fuddy-duddy skipper leading his team to one last shot of glory under his helm.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Phillies go one-two-three in the NLDS with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels - general manager Ruben Amaro has been derided for trading off Cliff Lee, but his Phillies are the best team in the National League, with the best pitching staff and a balanced lineup with Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino, et al.



While the Reds don't seem as good on paper as the Phillies - they have Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips among the cast of characters that make for a solid lineup.

Their bench strength should be great with Laynce Nix, Miguel Cairo, Chris Heisey, etc - look for one of these guys to contribute.

A key for the Reds is getting away from staying with a starting pitcher too long, finally making a move in haste to bring in a reliever and watching the reliever implode - the Reds have Aroldis Chapman, a 105 MPH throwing 'big gun' in the bullpen.

Dusty Baker and his coaching staff cannot stick with a starting pitcher who is going to be laboring into the late innings - basically they have to make deft moves and have to think outside the box, even if it means ruffling some feathers with some guys and their presumed roles i.e. Francisco Cordero.

It doesn't seem like the Reds will be able to stay with the Phillies - the Reds' chances of upsetting the Phillies in the NLDS however will depend less on talent, but whether or not Baker micromanages too much, particularly under duress.

2010 American League Division Series preview

American League Division Series preview - my Halos are out of it, but I'm still a baseball fan and interested in the playoffs in 2010.

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
The Twins will be facing a tough task in trying to upended the Yankees - a banged up Joe Mauer is going to need to come up big, especially with Twins first baseman Justin Morneau out and when Mauer is viewed as the Twins' franchise guy.

The Yankees' lineup will be too much for the Twins to overcome - the Yankees have Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada, some guy named A-Rod, et al to make up for some of the pitching deficiences the Yankees might have past C.C. Sabathia.

The Yankees outclassed the Twins last year and it will be much of the same this year - the Yankees are not invincible, but their hitters are so much better, even when Derek Jeter suffers through an off-year.

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are solid all-around and they've had some playoff experience - Rays manager Joe Maddon maybe the key as far as making sure the Rays players maintain a one game at a time focus instead of playing ahead of themselves.

Star third baseman Evan Longoria's health may prevent him from having a big series - but the team is solid all-around.

If Vladdy, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz and the rest of the Rangers' hitters are up to the task - the pitching should come on strong.

Starter Cliff Lee basically legitimizes the Rangers' starting pitching staff and gives them a chance in the series - if Lee bests the Rays No. 1 starter David Price.

The Rays won the American League East outright -it will be a massive disappointment to show any let down, now they are in the playoffs. Under Maddon, a choke job isn't going to happen.

Another 2010 Topps II Jumbo Pack recap

2010 Topps Topps II Value Pack [$4.99 x1 at Target] - I was disappointed I pulled a Million Card Giveaway code card and end up with a 2005 Topps Sean Casey...what a crock.

Top compartment

#509 Todd Helton

#464 Francisco Liriano
#391 Manny Parra

#397 Colorado Rockies - featuring Troy Tulowitzki
#577 Jason Jaramillo
#375 Mike Leake

#636 Celeb "Rays" tion Time - featuring Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton
#467 Fausto Carmona
#572 Clay Buchholz
#377 Felix Hernandez
#564 Houston Astros
Jason Bay Topps Attax
#614 Kelly Johnson
#660 Brandon McCarthy
#585 Dioner Navarro
#631 Marc Rzepczynski
#519 Alexi Casilla

#621 Aaron Cook

Bottom compartment - first part of the jumbo I actually busted through.

#607 Ubaldo Jimenez - after pulling four Colorado Rockies cards, it figures I don't show the card picturing the ace of the team's staff.
#344 Brett Myers
#394 Luis Castillo
#547 Brett Gardner
#649 Casey McGehee

#471 Drew Butera
#452 Allen Craig
#510 Arizona Diamondbacks to Back Jacks checklist - featuring Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds
#640 Matt Diaz

#CMT-75 Rod Carew
#HWS 7 Mel Ott
#PP-82 Yogi Berra

#TR-78 Dan Haren
#346 Taylor Teagarden
#420 Shin-Soo Choo
#448 Joakim Soria
#529 Carlos Lee

2008 Topps Stadium Club pack break recap

2008 Topps Stadium club retail [$1.59 x1 at Target] - this was the only pack that interested me out of the cheap-o "Power Pack" box I find at Target.

I'd like to say nearly all the packs out those "Power Pack" boxes are junk - there non-sport packs, a handful of packs from other sports and 'full priced' loose packs collected randomly from the shelves.

Still, if there was more baseball packs - maybe I would look through those boxes a little bit more for that elusive $1.59 discarded baseball pack [or two].

#103 Nick Adenhart - R.I.P.
#20 Jorge Posada
#8 Mark Teixeira
#19 Jason Bay
#84 Daisuke Matsuzaka - First Day Issue stamp

Sayonara Hideki Matsui

Though he didn't help the Angels get anywhere close to the playoffs in 2010, the Angels need to keep designated hitter Hideki Matsui for at least one more season - he is still a productive offensive player and at 36, is probably still a gate attraction [for Japanese MLB baseball fans].

The reality however Godzilla will probably not be with the Angels in 2011 - outfielder Bobby Abreu will probably have to see more time at the designated hitter position in 2011.

More importantly, the Angels are probably looking to see what minor league slugger Mark Trumbo is going to be capable of in the Major Leagues - Trumbo is about as ripe as they come at 24 / 25 and 2011 will dictate his future as a Major Leaguer.

A realistic place for Matsui to land for 2011 is back in New York with the Yankees - it really isn't a stretch to assume if Matsui is intent on continuing his MLB career, he'll go back to the organization where he first started, where it maybe assumed there is a comfort zone.

2010 Topps II Jumbo Pack recap

2010 Topps Topps II Value Pack [$4.99 x1 at Target] - I was disappointed I didn't pull a Million Card Giveaway code card.

Top compartment

#388 Joel Pineiro - an injury wiped out any success he may have enjoyed in his first season with the Angels in 2010.
#505 Andy Marte - I'll keep getting his cards and he'll keep disappointing anyone who ever expected big things from him.
#586 Roy Oswalt
#423 Brad Bergesen
#402 J.P. Howell
#365 Logan Ondrusek

#572 Clay Buchholz
#377 Felix Hernandez
#CMT 104 John Smoltz - 1997 Topps reprint
#HWS 13 Yogi Berra
#PP-78 Mark Reynolds

#NOTR 98 Ubaldo Jimenez
#499 Michael Bowden
#605 A.J. Pierzynski
#633 Daniel Bard
#581 Chris Dickerson
#419 David Aardsma

Bottom compartment

#567 Mike Pelfrey
#493 Travis Ishikawa
#441 Clete Thomas
#367 Wandy Rodriguez - it looks like Eny Cabrera has rebounded from his early-season struggles.
#645 Texas Rangers

#527 Brandon Wood
#651 Mike Aviles
#496 Rajai Davis
#357 Scott Downs
#640 Matt Diaz [DIE-yaz]
#VLC 2 Johnny Mize

#T1 Ryan Braun - maybe it is because of the graphics [i.e. like the little stars in the background and the colors] but tilting this card for a moment really helps create a 3D illusion.

It makes the card appear like a little shadowbox frame with Braun's image popping out - it looks like I'm going to have to find more of these cards because they are kind of 'cute' as opposed to your rank-and-file baseball card types.

Alexei Ramirez Topps Attax
#484 Mike Fontenot
#396 Jake Westbrook
#444 Jeremy Guthrie
#511 Cubs Franchise
#380 J.D. Drew
#426 Mark Reynolds

2010 Topps T-206 Value Pack recap

2010 Topps T-206 Value Pack [$4.99 x1 at Target] - I don't like the idea of the 'hatless' images used for these cards, but an unintended consquence [that is actually a good thing] is I have cards to add to my 'hats-off' collection of cards [where players are pictured without wearing any caps and/or batting helmets].

Top compartment of the rack

#211 Jered Weaver - looking kind of grim faced; probably the side effect for pitching so well as the ace of a decidedly mediocre Angels' team in 2010.
#236 Johnny Bench
#227 Chad Billingsley mini - Piedmont back
#46 Carlos Quentin
#21 Jason Kubel
#263 C.C. Sabathia
#281 Melky Cabrera

I've only experienced the wrath of Johnny Bench when trying to get his autograph for free at golf tournaments [on something other than a piece of paper] - but this is a nice card featuring the same image used on Bench's 1969 Topps second year card.

Bottom compartment of the rack

#193 Buster Posey - looking to go neck-and-neck against Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann as the best hitting catcher in the Naional League.
#183 Carlos Pena - gold border parallel
#99 Christy Matthewson
#70 Luke Hochevar
#277 Johnny Evers

Featured autographs - the Hairston Brothers

It looks like the San Diego Padres are about to choke up the lead in the National League West - is it a coincidence they've lost 10 games in the row without older brother Jerry in the lineup? Probably, but the Padres won six straight games before the older of the two brothers was apparently injured and had to go on the disabled list.

As an 'infrequent visitor' to Petco Park this season, it was fun watching Major League Baseball's feel good story [at least for parts when I was actually in the stadium during the Padres games I was at instead of next door at Lolita's] - now it is really starts getting to be a thrill ride to the finish line to see who ends up with the NL West crown.

The Angels could use this guy - Colby Rasmus

The Angels need to trade for St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Colby Rasmus - before some team like the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees pick him up on the cheap and watch him cash in on his immense talent.

Rasmus has apparently had problems with manager Tony LaRussa not just this season and while the animal rights advocate is getting long in the tooth [and may not manage the Cardinals past this season] - Rasmus isn't doing himself any favors after being called out by teh Albert Pujols himself.

Despite Rasmus' ability to play a premium defensive position while being able to hit a little bit, hit for power, run and maybe pick up 40-50 walks in a season - at the ripe old age of 24, he is just another guy on the Cardinals' roster right now.

Featured card: 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Jean Segura #BCP 7

While uber prospect Mike Trout in the Angels' farm system getting much of the Midwest League accolades [despite already being promoted] in 2010 - Segura has had a pretty good year himself down in Cedar Rapids and is likely slated to play in advanced Class-A ball in 2011.

Featured food - a Halo Dog

Despite the number of food choices at Angel Stadium [my regular haunting grounds as a baseball fan] - whenever I go to a game, I usually don't buy anything to eat inside the stadium, preferring to walk to get something to eat at a McDonald's, Carl's Jr. or a Mexican place near the stadium.

During last Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, the hot dog stand in the courtyard where the Gene Autry statue is located [on the Field Level] called out to me - I really didn't want to go out and walk across the street to likely go to Carl's Jr. again.

I think I had enough money and was either going to get the 'specialty' nachos [don't remember what they were called] or a random hot dog - topped with different things, each hot dog sold is supposed to represent a different MLB ballpark.

I scrounged enough change and bought a 'Halo Dog,' for $7.50 - which featured a bacon wrapped hot dog topped with jack cheese, charro beans and chili pepper relish.

I lugged my hot dog [and a bottle of water I found along the way] all the way out to the picnic tables out behind centerfield - the bun had gotten a little soggy and I had to eat the hot dog with a fork and pick at the toppings, instead of eating the hot dog with my bare hands.

The relish was sweet, tangy and spicy while the bacon added some more flavor / saltiness to the already sodium laden hot dog - I don't know if the hot dog hit the spot, but I wouldn't mind missing a Carls Jr. meal for this, even there was really no drink to go with the hot dog.

If I get the hot dog the next time, I might save time, energy and maybe a buck - during the game I saw the hot dogs were $6.50 by the concession stands on the Terrace Level concourse in left field.

I took a picture of the menu to remember what the name of the hot dog was and what the toppings were - it was similar to ones sold at the courtyard on the Field Level.

If your 'home team' Angels are really not doing so well and are about to miss the playoffs for the first time in more than several years - you don't avoid talking about the 'bad things,' you just find other things to talk about while still 'keeping the faith.'

Featured autograph - Mark Trumbo

With the Angels' high profile draft pick Kaleb Cowart signed up, it maybe time to look back at another high school bonus baby the Angels signed back in 2004 - Mark Trumbo was touted like Cowart was, a potential future star in the Angels' system.

While Trumbo has steadily climbed the minor league ranks, he is currently a 24-year old who may or may not get a cup of coffee with the Angels in 2010 - it might not be inconceivable to think Cowart may spend as much as five years in the minors and still not get to the Major Leagues.

I picked up his first certified autograph four years ago - while not letter-for-letter, the autograph is more legible on the certified autograph card from 2004, compared to the in-person autograph I got in-person this past year in spring training.

Cal Ripken Jr. memorabilia display scam?

I found this scan of a Cal Ripken Jr. framed memorabilia display and while I assumed the scraps of jersey / ball / base material were otherwise 'game used' in a Major League game - the 'Authentic Ball' material features the logo of an official league baseball instead of an official Major League Baseball.

I think these displays [more like cheap cardboard mattes with a random trading card affixed along with the 'memorabilia' pieces] are sold with repacks at various retail stores for about $10 - maybe in a couple of various baseball card / sports card forum threads, I've read various discussions about the authenticity of the scraps of jersey / ball / base material.

Seeing the Cal Ripken Jr. display makes me chuckle a little bit - something is clearly fishy with these things.

Featured autograph - Jose Bautista

Led by Jose Bautista, who has hit nearly 40 home runs in what has clearly been a career year - the Toronto Blue Jays have bashed and smashed their way into a respectable baseball club, despite being obscured in the American League East.

Coming into the 2010 season, Bautista had bounced around as an 'every day' utility player who reminded me of this guy - now Bautista probably will get an opportunity to secure a pretty good contract for himself.

All I can say is when a guy is enjoying a breakthrough season or surpassing what he has done before - it is kind of exciting jumping on the bandwagon, particularly when a particular guy is hitting home runs all over the place.

Featured autograph - Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper, most hyped up amateur ballplayer since Stephen Strasburg has been finally inked up to play ball professionally by Strasburg's Washington Nationals - even though there is a lag time as far as the impact a player [even the No. 1 overall pick like Harper] can make in pro baseball, Harper is supposed to bust through that reality and get to the Major Leagues much sooner than later.

Let's just all hope any growing pains and any possible immaturity issues coming from an 18-year old kid who is suddenly rich, rich, rich doesn't cause him to go Josh Hamilton on us - getting random tattoos and 'losing himself' for five or six years before he is mostly on track again. As the next great hope, the least Harper could do is stay clean cut and be in position to fulfill his immense promise as a baseball immortal.

Featured card: 2003 Topps 205 mini Bryan Bullington #136

I got this card among a small group of Kansas City Royals players' cards given to me by a friend's friend who was visiting from Japan - it is a 2003 Topps 205 mini of Bryan Bullington, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bullington has spent just a little bit of time in the Major Leagues with four different teams in five years - he recorded his first Major League win for Kansas City on Aug. 15 against the New York Yankees.

Bullington shut down the Bronx Bombers for eight innings, allowing only two hits and striking out five - at this point who really knows if he can make stick around the Major Leagues.

Still, in the realm of professional sports - it is nice to watch an athlete who has battled some adversity enjoy any sliver of success.

My baseball card collecting endeavors have gone nowhere

It is probably no coincidence I'm throwing this up at a time where at least a couple of collectors - have expressed concerns about their own collecting endeavors.

For me personally, I love the novelty of collecting baseball cards - partly because I can objectify the players I may get to see on TV and in-person through little pieces of cardboard that are supposed to be collectible in one form or the other.

However there are so many random cards scattered about in a bed I'm probably supposed to have been sleeping in, my computer table, my sorting table, out in boxes all over the floor in my room, et al - I've kind of let the cards pile up without dilligently picking after myself.

IT IS LIBERATING TO SEE HOW pointless collecting baseball cards is -when I can't account for particular ones or when I feel like I'm buried under the rubble. Do I really to pick up anything else? I don't really have the gumption to consume anymore new cards.

During the last 10-15 years, I don't know if I've been able to buy as many cards compared to the average Collector Joe who spends hundreds or thousands of dollars each year - but I feel a big burden with the amount of card clutter I refuse to have anything to do with at this time.

Do I have a collecting goal and/or purpose - yes, it just doesn't have anything to do with baseball cards right now.

I'm more interested in collecting baseball autographs in-person - other than picking up ones picturing players I hope to see in-person and trying to get them inked up.

Living within a half hour to a Major League Baseball stadium, collecting baseball autographs in-person - keeps me compelled to keep up with baseball cards, but I've taken one, long detour as far as having a beat on what actual baseball card collectors / speculators are going gaga about these days or not.

Featured autograph - Sean O' Sullivan

After being traded to the Kansas City Royals for infielder Alberto Callaspo - here is hoping Sean O'Sullivan develops into a dependable starting pitcher.

The tubby righthander seemed to be a decent pitching prospect in the Angels' system - he could be one of those guys who pitches around 200 innings for three or four seasons in his prime, before his career winds down at the Major League level.

I read a feature story on O'Sullivan in a San Diego newspaper around the time when he was first called up in 2009 - I clipped the article about O'Sullivan's journey to the Major Leagues and eventually had him sign it this past year during spring training.