Jeremy Bonderman 2006 Flair Showcase Showcase Stitiches jersey
Edwin Jackson 2010 Upper Deck UD Game Jersey jersey
Dontrelle Willis 2009 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini Relics jersey
Wow, that's 60% of a pitching rotation right there! None of them are with the Tigers anymore, but all three had some good seasons, with or without Detroit:
- Bonderman (2006, DET): 14-8, 214.0 IP, 4.08 ERA, 202 K, 3.2 WAR (plus a 1-0 playoff record for the AL champs)
- Jackson (2009, DET): 13-9, 214.0 IP (weird!), 3.62 ERA, 161 K, 4.2 WAR (also made All-Star Team)
- Willis (2005, FLA): 22-10, 236.1 IP, 2.63 ERA, 170 K, 5.4 WAR, 7 CG, 5 SO (also made All-Star Team)
The Showcase card, which features a solid swatch, is my fifth Tigers PC hit (all relics) of Bonderman, a two-time Tiger who was with the club from 2003-2010 and a bit of last year.
The second card is my first hit of Jackson, the pitcher who came over for Matt Joyce, pitched fairly well at time, then was dealt in the trade that brought Austin Jackson and Max Scherzer, among others, to Motown. Since being sent to Tampa, he's played with four other teams, including the 2011 World Champion Cardinals. As well-traveled as he is, UD got him in a Tigers uniform on that card, which I appreciate.
Finally, the D-Train also makes his Tigers PC debut in the form of this excellent pinstriped A&G mini framed relic, one of my favorite designs. Dontrelle went just 2-8 over 24 games with the Tigers in three seasons, but he was always the "throw-in" in the Miguel Cabrera trade, though it's a shame such a fun player couldn't regain his lofty status.
Mark, thanks as always for being a great trader and a cool guy. I may just have to respond in kind sometime soon! Readers, go get your daily fix of some of the best (and I do mean it) card blogging around at the Chronicles of Fuji.
