In Series One, the San Diego Padres had a somewhat questionable 14 cards. Now, I say questionable but I know they've generally gotten a raw deal the past few years in set releases, especially with inserts. Unfortunately, I think this will just set Padres fans up for more disappointment when Series Two and the Update Series are released because who's left? Well, let's take a look at the factory team set and some Opening Day and see if we see anybody new.
Up first, we have the nine cards from the factory team set that also appeared in Series One.
Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Carlos Quentin
Huston Street, Everth Cabrera, Andrew Cashner
Tyson Ross, Nick Hundley
Will Venable
Nine out of fourteen Series One cards means five didn't make the cut. But before we get to those, let's take a look at Opening Day where the Padres had five base cards. Yonder Alonso and Everth Cabrera are holdovers from Series One. Sneak peeks show up in the form of Jedd Gyorko and Chase Headley. Robbie Erlin, who was also in Series One, was the fifth Opening Day Padre but failed to make the team set cut.
With eleven cards shown, we're left with five brand new Padres cards and the stadium card.
Ian Kennedy was a trade deadline pick up from the Arizona Diamondbacks. I haven't looked but I'd be surprised if Topps photoshopped a camo jersey so I'm willing to bet it's a Padres jersey. Seth Smith was acquired in an off season trade with the Oakland A's and most likely is a Photoshop job.
Two free agent signings, Josh Johnson and Joaquin Benoit sport the other Photoshopped uniforms.
Cameron Maybin rounds out the 16 player cards from the factory team set while the final card belongs to Petco Park. Looks like a beautiful park!
As I mentioned, five guys from Series One weren't part of the team set.
Clayton Richard was granted free agency at the end of 2013 and is currently teamless. Eric Stults is 2-6 with a 5.03 ERA for the Padres this season.
As for this trio of rookies cards, Tommy Medica and Robbie Erlin have playing time this season with the Padres while Reymond Fuentes has so far split time between their Double and Triple A affiliates.
After looking at the roster for the 2013 Padres, the number of games played and if they were still with the team in 2014, snubs go out to Alexi Amarista and Chris Denorfia.
Last but not least, I like to wrap these posts up with the Opening Day mascot.
For more on this card, check out my other blog with this post.
I feel like very few "regular fans" would understand me when I say that I love the Padres but don't really like any of the Padres. Aside from Andrew Cashner, Chris Denorfia, and Nick Vincent (who deserves a baseball card since he's never ever had one made (aside from a stray minor league team set), there is nobody who interests me in the slightest.
ReplyDeleteI was also pleasantly surprised by the number of Padres in S1, but expect far less in S2. Last year it was reversed, I think there were 8 in S1 and more in S2. The Maybin card looks sharp, though. The Josh Johnson card is a cruel reminder.