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Play ball! (2026)

 
This is the earliest I've ever written one of these. With the World Series ending in November, and my Dodgers involved, and the season starting with six days left in March, it seems a little dramatic to be exclaiming "finally, Opening Day!"
 
Maybe that's just the way things are speeding up at my advanced age, but also, there was once a time when the World Series wrapped up before October and the season didn't start until late April. So, yes, we're being a bit over the top.
 
Still, I'm super-happy to be able to watch fresh baseball games daily from now through October. No, I won't be watching tonight's Netflix game. I'll be at work and have you seen the participants?? Thursday's real Opening Day will be tough, too, with limited early afternoon games. But that's the beauty of baseball -- there are 162 of these babies!!
 
Time to introduce the season like I always do. For the first time since I started this 17 years ago, nothing has changed as there was a repeat champion (wooooo!). But I've changed the cards, of course.
 
Let's go:
 
 
The last time the DODGERS won the World Series, cards looked like this:
 


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

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

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

 
I've officially run out of Cleveland 1948 cards to show -- and was reduced to a picture-pack photo. I'm going to have to start recycling card images!

But there is one way to avoid doing that. Or one of the teams who haven't received a card picture on this post can win (with the exception of one particular team). If all that fails, I suppose the Dodgers could three-peat. I won't mind, even if everyone else will lose their shit.
 
Be careful what you wish for! It's Opening Day people! Enjoy the view. 

Comments

Old Cards said…
Oh no! You did not use Topps exclusively. I guess you never do, but it surprised me anyway. This may be old news and you may have mentioned it before, but just FYI, I saw Topps Flagship at Costco today.
Ginko-5 said…
And the first ballgame of the year is delayed. Bad omen for the season to come?
I'm taking opening Day and the day after opening day off this year so I can Glory in baseball. I took the whole week off, but it all a ruse to get Thursday and Friday off. I don't count today because I make up my own rules. Happy Baseball Season!
Nachos Grande said…
It's sad how far down I have to scroll each year.
Brett Alan said…
I'm going to take it as a good sign that there are at least 6 guys who played with the Mets in that post--plus one who will be making his Mets debut about 15 hours from when I post this!