Jeff Clement – Elite Mariner Rookie to Have Big Time Fantasy Impact

Rookie catching prospect Jeff Clement (pictured left in this Upper Deck rookie baseball card) got a grand total of 48 ABs to the tune of a .167 batting average with the Mariners earlier this year before being sent back down. Heater Fantasy Baseball Magazine last week showed minor league batters for batting average, home runs and walk rate and Clement ranked in the top 3 in each category – not even Jay Bruce could do that. Jeff Clement boasts an off the chart OPS of 1.238, and in his last 10 games he’s cooled off to a .333 BA with 4 HRs.

I look for Clement to have big time potential down the stretch. He’ll eventually come back up and should be a serviceable utility right away. He may need a month or two to steal enough PT to fully qualified at catcher but a month and a half of Jeff Clement a catcher could be huge. At a minimum he’s probably good for 280-290 and should hit 25-30 HR pace which would put Jeff Clement at top 5, maybe top 3 for the position.

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Is Brandon Webb the Best Pitcher in Baseball?

Brandon Webb (shown here in a Bowman Heritage 2003 rookie baseball card) won his 11th game of the season last night and as an owner of his in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship I couldn’t be more excited that he’s now on pace for 29 wins. Tie in a mid-2 ERA and WHIP of 1.00 and pace for almost 200 Ks and I’m wondering if he’s the best pitcher in baseball.

Webb burst onto the scene with a big rookie season but posted a miserable 7-16 record in his sophomore campaign due in large part to nearly 120 walks. He since has straightened out his control and for the past 2 and third seasons Brandon Webb has had pure Cy Young stuff.

For his career the 29 year old Webb has posted 75 wins a 3.19 ERA and 7.3 Ks per 9. I think he’s a perennial stud in fantasy baseball and in a few years I think the conversation surrounding Brandon Webb will start to focus on Hall of Fame possibilities. I recommend stocking up on Brandon Webb rookie baseball cards and memorabilia now!

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Jack Cust – Fantasy Baseball Masher on the Cheap

I actually drafted Jack Cust (pictured in the baseball card at left, 2008 Upper Deck Gold Parallel) in the 18th round in the NFBC but also added him in my beer league. He cost $1 and since we enforce a cap throughout the year and I needed a masher to fill in for Matt Holiday it’s a perfect fit.

My friends at Heater fantasy baseball magazine tend to agree as he was profiled in this week’s edition. They say now is a nice buy opportunity as his K rate has decreased slightly to go along with a high hit rate. His HR to fly ball rate has dropped from 32% last year to 25% but that’s still a ton of power.

I view Jack Cust as a poor man’s Adam Dunn. After a horrific April he has 8 HR in 105 ABs (roughly 45 HR pace) and is hitting .295 with 17 RBI and 19 runs. Those are Dunn numbers with BA to spare. He still looses ABs to lefties but should crack 450 ABs which should be enough for 25-30 HRs.

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Farewell to Shea Stadium – Commemorative Baseball, #2 of 6

I picked up one of these baseballs at the Mets game I was at last week for my buddy at The Extreme Baseball Collector. This baseball is #2 of 6 that will be sold at Shea Stadium throughout the Mets final season at Shea. The ball features Mr. Met, the “You Gotta Believe” slogan, the Shea Stadium 1964-2008 commemorative logo and a list of Shea Stadium firsts:

1st Batter – Dick Schonfield, Pirates
1st Mets Batter – Tim Harkness
1st Hit – April 17th, 1964, Willie Stargell
1st Strikeout – April 17th, 1964 Roberto Clemente
1st Mets Victory – April 19th, 1964 Mets 6 Pirates 0

I should probably get with it and start collecting all 6 of these baseballs for myself – one more reason to get out to Shea Stadium and see the Mets this year!

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Shea Stadium Final Season Commemorative Baseball

I was at my first Mets game at Shea Stadium this year and my friend actually pounced on a foul ball. I didn't realize they had issued a special baseball for this season until I examined his. These are official Rawlings MLB baseballs issued with a special commemorative logo for Shea Stadium's final season. I'm still waiting to catch my first foul ball so now I have some added incentive to see some more Mets games this year.

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History Shots - Poster Showcases Four Generations of Major League Baseball Ballparks

Knowing that I am a major baseball geek a friend of mine sent me a link to Major League Ballparks Four Generations at History Shots. The poster covers the 4 primary areas of ballpark development:

• Pre-Classic 1870-1900s
• Classic 1900s-1950s - Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park
• Modern 1950s-1990s - Shea Stadium and Veteran's Stadium
• Retro 1990s-Present - Camden Yards and the new Mets Stadium, Citi Field

What's particularly cool is the bar chart at the top that shows the name and type of stadium associated with each city. It's tough to see in this image but the site has a zoom feature which really brings out the detail.

As a baseball fanatic this is definitely on my wish list. It's suitable for framing and be sure to use conservation quality museum glass for maximum preservation.

Woodworking Help with Baseball Card Display Case Project

Earlier this year my baseball card display case project hit a big snag. After reaching out to several dozen woodworkers with my plans for the display case I hit nothing but dead ends. I think there were two problems. First, I need someone to really hold my hand with the design for the display case – it needs to be a high-end piece of furniture and have a marketable classy looking design. Second, there needs to be some thought put into the production costs for multiple quantities – I need to be able to purchase in bulk and make profit on the markup.

I ran into an antique dealer at my mother-in-laws while we were there for a visit (solutions to life’s problems can come from the darndest places). I explained what I was trying to do with launching my baseball card display case business and she directed me to VermontWood.com. This is the home of the VWMA, Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association. Apparently this is the hot bed for woodworking and design services on the east coast. After spending a lot of time digging through the site I think I’ve found a potential partner – more updates to come!