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Play ball! (2013)

For better or for worse, baseball is tradition. That's why I don't recognize the made-for-TV, lowest-common-denominator, Sunday Night ESPN contrivance that was on the tube last night.

Baseball is tradition. The season deserves a tradition-steeped opening. Preferably the Reds kick off festivities, but if you must, give us the Cubs and Cardinals or Dodgers and Giants or even Red Sox and Yankees. For all that is good and non-annoying, don't foist the "American League" Astros on your audience right out of the gate. We need time to adjust to that atrocity.

No, that was not Opening Day.

TODAY is Opening Day.

Baseball is tradition. And for better or for worse, this is a tradition on this blog.

So here we go:


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



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



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



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



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



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



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




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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Happy (Real) Opening Day everybody. Even if the Reds are starting against the Angels.

It's been a long winter.

Us baseball fans apparently will take anything.



(P.S.: Yes, I know I've used the Cubs card before. How many cards from 1908 do you think there are?)

Comments

jamicfin said…
Huzzah! And a happy Opening Day to you as well!
Happy Opening Day. You didn't even need to do anything special to abuse the Cubs.

My son's first comment was that the Nationals have a good chance to have a Photo Available next year.
Commishbob said…
I'm with you 100%

The '83 Palmer depresses me. That was a long time ago. The O's last won the Series the year I was married. I've threatened my wife that I might have to try that again. Sadly she doesn't seem too bothered by that.
Robert said…
A happy opening day to you as well. Hopefully the snow in Pittsburgh will let up in time for the game...
Spiegel83 said…
About to make my trek to Dodger Stadium. It's time for Dodger baseball!
Stealing Home said…
Happy Opening Day to one and all.
Gettin' my TV chair ready...

Let's beat those evil giants on Opening Day!

Great post, N.O.
Ana Lu said…
That was maybe the reason that I liked the '09 design so much ;-)
I like this tradition.

I hope the M's can finally get one, but I still don't think this is the year....
arpsmith said…
I can't even begin to tell you how much joy I get in seeing a Giant leading off one of your posts, especially this annual post. Hopefully you will lead with a Giant again.

First pitch coming up soon - Play Ball!
Zayden said…
Lets hope next year's opening day post has "The last time the Mets won the world series, cards looked like this" - featuring 2013 Topps!

Unknown said…
I smell a copy+paste job here...

Happy Opening April Fools' Day!
night owl said…
Right. You can join me next year and count how long it takes me to pull the correct cards, scan, post and put the cards back. The only thing I copy and paste is the "no photo available" sign.
kid2119 said…
I love this post! It makes me smile, remembering the cards of pre-1990. Thanks for this!