You're an All-Star, Get Your Game On, Go Play

Just a quick post today.

I need a tie breaker vote over on the "Mets - June 2014" post on my Horizontal Card Challenge blog. The sooner the better, thanks!

And good luck to Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo who are representing the Cubs and the National League tonight in the All-Star game. This is Castro's third selection and Rizzo's first.

If I can get a photo of Jeff Samardzija in his All-Star gear, I might make something up for him too. For those living under a rock, Samardzija made the All-Star team based on his work with the Cubs. But after being traded to the A's right before the break, he is ineligible to play. *Sad trombone*

Brooks Raley and Some All-Stars

Brooks Raley's Major League debut probably did not go the way he planned. The Padres haven't been much better than the Cubs this year so it was probably a reasonable expectation that he could win his debut. Unfortunately, they roughed him up for 7 runs in his 4 innings and the Cubs 4 runs in support were too little and too late.

His second start was much better against the division leading Reds. He retired the first 13 batters he faced but again, the Cubs offense provided no support as they were shutout 3-0. Raley returned to AAA Iowa this week while the Cubs recalled Michael Bowden. Being a young Cubs pitcher is not an ideal job and I wish Raley future success. Maybe we'll see more of him in September?

Brooks Raley

 Along the same lines, there hasn't been much to celebrate with the Cubs this season. But, they did manage to get two players selected to this year's All-Star game. And since this custom set "celebrates" the 2012 season, I put together a card from a photo of the Cubs' All-Stars together at the game.

2012 All-Stars, Bryan LaHair & Starlin Castro

These two cards bring the set total up to 49 cards. Still looking for usable photos of Brett Jackson and Alberto Cabrera. I speculated early on that this set might top 50 cards. Now, looking ahead to September call-ups, this set might top 60!