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Play ball! (2018)

Tomorrow, every major league baseball team makes its season debut.

That's 15 Opening Days (OK, 14, the Reds-Nationals has already been postponed).

Isn't that glorious?

Best of all, it eliminates all of the hoops I've jumped through when deciding when to publish my annual Opening Day post. This year, no one is starting in another country seven days before everyone else. ESPN hasn't staged a coup and corralled the first game of the season for itself.

Also for the first time since I began this annual tradition nine years ago, someone who had never won a World Series has finally won a World Series!

Because of that, their name has been removed from the shameful list of teams that always brings up the rear in this ritual.

Unfortunately, the Dodgers helped this team break their curse. I will always find solace in the fact that the Dodgers made the Astros earn that title (oh, did they ever) even though it hurts to stick "1988" next to the Dodgers again.

But that's what this post is all about: pleasant memories and painful reminders.

So here we go:



The last time the ASTROS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the CUBS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the ROYALS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the GIANTS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the RED SOX won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the CARDINALS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the YANKEES won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the PHILLIES won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the WHITE SOX won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the MARLINS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the ANGELS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the DIAMONDBACKS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the BRAVES won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the BLUE JAYS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the TWINS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the REDS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the A'S won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the DODGERS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the METS won the World Series, cards looked like this:



The last time the TIGERS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the ORIOLES won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the PIRATES won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the INDIANS won the World Series, cards looked like this:




The last time the BREWERS, MARINERS, NATIONALS, PADRES, RANGERS, RAYS, ROCKIES won the World Series, cards looked like this:



In the last three years, the Royals, Cubs and Astros have ended extensive World Series droughts. I can see the possibility of it happening again for one of those "Never Done It" teams (well, except for you, Padres).

Certainly, though, I'd rather the Dodgers complete unfinished business.

Just go one game farther this year, guys.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Happy Opening Day!

Tomorrow!

Everybody!

Enjoy!


Comments

Chris said…
I didn't realize it had been over 65 years since Arizona won a WS ;)
Scribbled Ink said…
That was a very cool post. Great idea!
Were baseball cards even invented the last time the Indians won? :)
EP said…
I laughed out loud at the no photo available.
sg488 said…
Great post,I look foward to it every year.
Zippy Zappy said…
The Yankees-Dodgers World Series is going to be lit!
Fuji said…
Thank you for the yearly reminder that my beloved Athletics haven't won a World Series title in nearly 3 decades... and the Padres have never won one. As for the cards themselves, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that Rick Aguilera's coolest card is that 92F. Great looking card.
Base Card Hero said…
I loved reading this post last year and it is just as great this year.
NPB Card Guy said…
Great idea! I had to appropriate this for NPB