So, it’s snowing again.  This time though, it’s a little different.  I have a feeling this one is gonna be a little more than what we’ve had recently.  I left work today at 5pm when it started snowing and got home around 6pm…and it hasn’t stopped snowing.  Really hate snow right now…but i’m going to make the most of it and act like a 9 year old boy tomorrow morning, assuming of course that my back will cooperate.

Luckily i have some scanned cards of this years Bowman Chrome.  They were a bit of an impulse purchase from Brian at the ‘ol LCS down the street.  But i truly enjoyed opening the mini boxes in the shop.  I don’t typically do it that way because i’m shy.  Normally i like to be in the safety of my humble abode.  I thought this time though, opening the box in front of the watchful eyes of a man that opens a ton of boxes would lead to some great hits…in order to save us all some time, i’m just show you my hits.

…but first…Sooz had a card chat Tuesday discussing where (and why) people buy their cards.  One of the questions “How much do you buy retail compared to hobby” was a great one for me because over the past couple of years my retail luck has been terrible…horrible actually.  I rarely get a hit, not much to write about at least…no John Smotlz, you know.  But my last retail stop at Target (before the holidays) i pulled this beauty!  Aaron Northcraft 1st Bowman Autograph!  On a Sticker!!!  Yes, there is a bit of sarcasm there, but also, there isn’t sarcasm.  Actually, this is one of the best “hits” i’ve ever received from a Target pack or box in a really long time.  So, i’m not complaining.  I’m just saying.  The card is pretty sharp, the high leg kick.  Intense look on the face and that sweet sweet beard.  Just wish it wasn’t a sticker auto, but hey, it’s retail and i’m quite happy with this potential momentum shift of hits.

Lets get back on track now.  I’m a man of order over chaos. Uniformity over randomness. Rigidity over flexibility…actually, that’s my dad, not me.  I’m right in the middle of all those antonyms.  That said, i am posting the cards in the order in which they were pulled so you can share in the moment that Brian and i had a few weeks ago.

First on card autograph is from Blake Snell.  The young Rays pitching prospect has seen a few big league hitters in his 19 career games started and appears to have a somewhat bright future in the majors.  Although not stellar, he has shown some early strikeout potential with 9.9 K/9 in his first year.  No idea what his future holds, but if I start to hear his name mentioned more frequently next year, i’ll check him out.

Next card, another pitcher. Connor Sadzeck, pronounced \sad-ZECK\, not sad sack…which would describe the scribble autograph on his 1st Bowman card.  If I was a future prospect i think i would spend some time working on my sig…but to be honest i don’t know how you write all those odd letters together.  the D, Z and E alone are tricky.  Connor is tall as hell, 6′ 7″ and was drafted in 2010 and then again in 2011.  Doing some quick research on Lone Star Ball, he sounds like he may be someone to watch this season…so watch him, this season if you’re in to the Rangers.

Cornelius Randolph is the next player.  He hits balls rather than tosses them.  This card is a bit outdated at this point.  He’s now a Washington National, which is cool because i like the Nationals.  He’s also the first hitter from the group i’ve pulled.  I don’t do much prospecting with baseball players, but when i do, i prefer hitters.  Feel like they have a better option with succeeding.  There’s no real basis with that theory, it’s just some illogical conclusion i’ve come up with through the years.  Pitchers get injured too easily.

Back to the pitcher autographs.  Victor Alcantara.  A 23 year old prospect from the DR.  Really excited about this autograph.  I took a peek at his scouting report on Inside the Halos and he sounds like a true stud pitcher, possibly a bullpen guy, maybe a potential closer?

Last card, Willie Calhoun from the LA Dodgers.  A second baseman ranked #11 in the Dodgers organization going in to last season and was part of the futures game as well.  He looks to have some pop in his bat as he tagged 27 home runs last year, his OPS is a respectable .788 as well.  Not sure if he has a chance to make the Dodgers roster this season, but i’ll keep an eye on him in Spring Training.

Thanks for reading!

Tonight I watched President Barack Obama’s farewell speech and there were moments that made me realize how proud i was to be in our country.  It’s far from perfect and we have a lot of issues to deal with throughout the nation, but it’s a pretty great place to be if you ask me.  I’m gonna enjoy a snow storm with my family tomorrow and cherish the moments with my beautiful wife and mischevious boy…if you have people you love and care about, you should let them know and give them a hug.