Phungo Original: 2021T Migue Cabrera Snow Squall variation

We are switching gears here, trying to see if posting sketches will get be more motivated to publish. We will see. 

2021T Miguel Cabrera Snow Squall Variation

A few weeks ago Miquel Cabrera hit a Home Run on opening day, but it was snowing so much he could not tell if the ball had left the park. Miggy elected to slide into 2nd base on the play. We have captured that moment and put it on the canvas of 2021 Topps. 

3 Strikes

This is my comments on the sketch - I try to come up with 3 things going thru my head during the development of the work:

- This is a contemporary event so I went with a 2021 Topps Canvas, I flipped the design on the x-axis because the slash placement interfered with image I wanted to created. 

- Giant snow flakes: I used symbolic flakes over a bunch of little dashes that would have looked like rain. 

- Big Font: I enlarged the name plate, lots of folks have noted that the 2021T player names are unreadable. I agree and well I cannot write that snowfall. The snowflake motif carries through to the name plate acting as the divider between Miggy's name and position.

ToppsNow

Topps issues an instant card for the Homer. 

2021 Topps Now #1 Miguel Cabrera

Turns out Cabrera got card #1 in this years Topps Now set! Nice enough, this angle is always a good one and the image clearly shows the snow shower. Still I prefer mine, mostly because it's mine, but I also like capturing the slide as it was unique moment that doesn't typically happen on a Home Run.

Flagship

2021 Topps #291 Miguel Cabrera

Looks like Miggy's base card was taken on a much nicer day. On this one you get 2 HoF for the price of one as we can see the Al Kaline #6 memorial patch on Cabrera's right shoulder. The card lists Cabrera's position as DH, which is accurate - it is the only position he played in 2020. Oddly it took him one game to get back in the field playing First Base, and that is reflected in my card above. 

Sources and Link

Miguel Cabrera Index

Cardboard Connection

ebay

Snapshots 2012 05 29 Tigers @ Red Sox

Team Phungo was lucky enough to spend a week in Cape Cod with some good friends. Among the activities were Beach, Sun, Relaxation, Whale Watching, Disc Golf, Eating & Drinking too much and BASEBALL!!


We were able to catch a game at Fenway Park between the Tigers and Red Sox.  The BoSox took the game 6-3, in a game which Daniel Bard outpitched Justin Verlander.  Homers were hit by Jhonny Peralta, Prince Fielder and Big Papi.  The big blow for Boston was a bases clearing double by Daniel Nava off of a 100 mph fastball by Verlander.

SnapShots

Scoreboard on Game Day

 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Warming up Bard in the bullpen.

Kevin Youkilis

Miguel Cabrera

 Red Sox Bullpen Car

Green Monster w/ Pesky Pole in Foreground

Notice that fans adding Sharpie Signatures to the foul pole. 


Sadly our vacation had to come to an end - glad we were able to make it to a game.  Enjoy the snap shots.

Game Report 2012 05 08 Tigers 6 @ Mariners 4

The Team Phungo trip to SafeCo field in Seattle went pretty well.  Seattle is a little out of the way from our Philadelphia base, but we had the opportunity to include the game in a trip to the Pacific Northwest and were happy to make the extra stop.

The hometoown Mariners lost the game 6-4 to a Detroit Tigers squad which sent out their ace Justin Verlander.  Former Phil Kevin Millwood took the mound for Seattle. The Tigers got to Millwood early getting 5 runs in the first 2 innings.  Verlander wasn't overpowering - but pitched well despite having issues with the plate umpire - Jim Leyland's disagreements with the umpiring crew got him ejected from the contest early in the game.  Verlander only went 6 innings, he was over 100 pitches and still hit 97 on the gun.


Snapshots

Justin Verlander

Miguel Cabrera (fore), Ichiro

The Mariners don't make it to our area often, and this may be the last time I see Mr Suzuki play live.  Ichiro was able to get one of the 7 hits that Verlander allowed to the Mariners.   

 PCL/Seattle and Baseball Card History Display

The Mariners have struggled the last few years was evidenced by their modest draw on a chilly Tuesday night, but even if the team isn't doing well, they have a lot of nice things for fans to check out like this Display of Seattle related baseball cards. 

There is a Mariners Hall of Fame, and several other cool features at the stadium.  Insane food selections are featured at the park as well as a pre-game happy hour.  Another nicety at Safeco is that they have free re-entry as long as you scan your ticket when you leave. 
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Shawn Kelley

Another nice feature of SafeCo is how close you can get to the field, especially in the bullpen areas.  This is how Mr Kelley appears when warming up prior to giving up a mamoth Home Run to Prince Fielder.

Phungo Game Report - 2011 04 04 Tigers 1 @ Orioles 5 - Opening Day at Camden Yards

Monday was a perfect day featuring the Orioles and their perfect 3 and 0 Record.

I may not go to another game this year that features the beautiful weather that the Orioles Home Opener did on Monday.  The O's contributed to the great day by earning a 5-1 victory over Detroit behind a strong start by second year starter Jake Arrieta.  The 25 year old right-handed pitcher was the latest young Orioles starter to deliver a quality start as their pitching staff has given up a grand total of 4 runs though 4 games.

Orioles Vet Brian Roberts provided the big offensive punch with a 3 run dinger in the 5th. 

The pregame highlights included a National Guard Fly-Over and a first pitch by Hall of Fame Manager Earl Weaver. 


Snapshots

National Anthem (click to enlarge)


Baltimore and Detroit Squads during the National Anthem

Buck Showalter


Baltimore's latest legend Buck Showalter with another Legend Jim Leyland in the background.

Jake Arrieta

Vladimir Guerrero

First AB as an Oriole at Camden Yards

Miguel Cabrera (click to enlarge)

Interesting shot - Cabrera at the plate, Victor Martinez who turned down the O's is on deck.  Matt Weiters is behind the plate.  Tigers manager Jim Leyland in the dugout.

2011 Topps Diamond Duos - Alcholism

2011 Topps Diamond Duos #DD-CC Ty Cobb and Miguel Cabrera

Ron Shelton directed the fine 1994 film "Cobb" which starred Tommy Lee Jones as the crazed and troubled Detroit Tigers legend Ty Cobb.

The present day Tigers have another troubled star on their roster in the form of the talented Miguel Cabrera.

Some may think it is a bit heavy comparing the 27 year old Cabrera to Cobb talent wise - consider this:

According to Miguel Cabrera's Baseball-Reference page the three players in the history of baseball whose careers most closely match Miguel Cabrera's at the age of 27 are:

Frank Robinson
Hank Aaron
Ken Griffey Jr

That is some pretty good company.   

Being associated with those great names does not mean that Miguel Cabrera doesn't have a problem or absolve him from getting behind the wheel of a car while consuming a bottle of whiskey.

To me no one has an excuse for driving drunk - especially someone who has made 54 million dollars.