2008 UD Premier Stitches: Pronk and V-Mart In Stitches

For some reason I have yet to dare examine, I stopped putting my cards into binders in 2008. I have no logical explanation that comes to mind. I just quit putting cards I received into their corresponding binders that year. Instead, I now have boxes labeled with things like "TBF" or "TBC" on them.

TBF means they have been entered into my database and are ready to be filed. Yes, that's right. I could simply move those cards from their boxes into the binders to which they belong. Alas, I have not done so. the other cards, "TBC," mean they are To Be Checked. That lets me know that I have not yet looked to see if those are doubles or not. I have TONS of those.

I digress... Often...

Today, we're looking at a pair of cards that actually DID make it into the 2008 binder. They are a couple of 2008 Upper Deck Premier Stitches:


The Pronk is pretty cool because it is a representation of the guy featured on the card. The Victor Martinez is cool, but, I mean, it's a Chief Wahoo logo. Upper Deck could commission someone to make a V-Mart on there? I dunno, maybe there is a version somewhere with his likeness.

In any case, I am generally not a fan of the manufactured patches. I like game-used. I don't know why it should matter. I mean, who thought of cutting up a jersey the dude wore in a game and stick into cards? I dunno, but really, that was a stroke of marketing genius...

I digress... Often..

Is Acta honing the Hafner Axe?

Manny Acta announced that Pronk may be one of a dying breed - the "DH-Only" player.  While I agree completely that the days of DH-Only players are numbered, I have to question Acta's motivation for bring such a thing to light.  Hafner has a long and storied history of injury ever since he walked into the Bigs.  I understand that the Indians have to try to keep him playing as much as they can without putting him into a position of hurting himself again.  I would guess that Acta's concern is the lack of playability among the "new, young talent" the Tribe has this year for the role of DH.  Basically, the Tribe has no choice but to use players in as many positions and roles as possible.

I wonder, though, if the message behind the message was a warning to Hafner and Indians fans: Hafner may be in his last season with the Indians (or anywhere, for that matter). 

The article appears here:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110306&content_id=16841298&notebook_id=16846014&vkey=notebook_cle&c_id=cle

Hafner Slammin It

Hafner served the clean up spot on Sunday after spending what seems like forever away from the plate.  With the bases loaded, Hafner swung the bat and launched one out of the park in what would be a 7-run 7th inning leading to a 9-1 win over the Mariners! 

We die-hard Tribe fans love the team we inexplicably follow and back (akin to die-hard Cubs fans), and when our "should-be" stars knock one out of the park or pitch a super game or make dazzling defensive plays, we are the first to stand up and shout a barrage of "WAHOO"s at the screen (or if lucky enough, at the players on the field in person). 

A team fan has a few favorite players, but we root for the TEAM above and beyond any individual player, though rooting for the team certainly means celebrating the individual accomplishments of the guys who bear the uniform.  As for supporting the owners and management?  That's another story.

Welcome back, Pronk!

Hafner Homers Off Strasburg

Despite a 9-4 loss against the Nats, the highlight for most Tribe fans came as Pronk stepped to the plate and fed Strasburg a big ol' plate of Outta Here.  I have no idea if Hafner is the first to homer off him or not, but that doesn't really matter.  It was awesome to watch the ball get out of the park (nearly taking out a cameraman in the process, which would have netted him +500 points).

Strasburg's 1/1 auto'd cards are going for crazy money in online auctions.  All I have to say is that if you have one, sell it now while the hype is high.  Because when the hype finally settles down to his actual level of longevity, he'll be relegated to the dollar bin. Well, okay, the "Under $25" bin anyway.  I can assure you: should I get one of his cards, it'll be for sale before the wrapper even hits the floor. 

By the end of the season, I would love to hear from the doofs paying tens of thousands for his cards.  Will they frame the card with a little plaque that reads: "I Paid Too Much"?