Lunch Box Hero!!!!

Earlier in the month, I showed off a pair of Topps SegaCardGen cards released in Japan of Jason Grilli and Garrett Jones respectively.  I mentioned that I grabbed a few of the 2013 cards from the same seller and with the recent hot streak that Travis Snider aka LunchBox has had with Andrew McCutchen being out now would be a good time to show off one of my few Travis Snider's Pirates cards. Even with McCutchen being back in the lineup tonight, Lunch Box will be staying in the OF to give Gregory Polanco a day off.

I wish that these cards were produced in 2014.  They're fun unique items that are tough to chase down.

We all complain about Topps using the same images on multiple products.  They do it on their overseas products as well.  Looking through your basecards for the image I am referencing?  You won't find it.  The image of Snider holding up the Zoltan symbol was a 2013 Topps Team Set exclusive variant.

I showed it off here last September.  I included the picture of the variant below.

It came from Japan!!!!

I've shown off a few of my Sega CardGen cards in the past that are imported Topps cards.  I recently came across a few others.  I'll show off the whole lot in a future post, but figured today would be as good a day as any to highlight some former Buccos from Yesteryear (literally these guys were on the rost last year). 

Jason Grilli has played for 8 major leagues (counting the Pirates) and a handful of minor league organizations during his long career.  His best seasons came while a member of the Pirates though and was rewarded by being elected as a 2013 NL All-Star for his superb pre All-Star break perfect save record.  While with the Pirates, he posted a 3.01 ERA to go with a 3-11 record.  His WHIP was 1.18, but his K/9 was an insane 12.4, having struck out 222 batters in only 161 innings. 

Garret Jones provided a lot of fireworks in a Pirates uniform as he hit exactly 100 longballs over his 5 year career with the Bucs.  His highest mark came in 2012 when he hit 27 round trippers.  His overall line .256/.318/.462 (.780 OPS) wasn't as bad as it appears mainly because he hit only .194 vs LHP but a respectable .270 vs RHP.  His best season was actually his first with the Pirates when he posted a 3.2 WAR in 2009 by smashing 21 HR batting .293 and playing the corner outfield positions and first base.

Both Grilli and Jones were fan favorites while in Pittsburgh, but both have moved on to Miami and Los Angeles respectively.