World Cup vs. World Baseball Classic

The World Cup started yesterday and so many people throughout the world tuned in to watch their country's teams try to win the World Cup.  Why doesn't the World Baseball Classic generate as much credit as the World Cup throughout the World?  Is it because baseball isn't played globally?  Is it a lack of talent participating in the WBC?

As part of my ongoing quest to add cheap Jameson Taillon cards to my collection while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, I was able to add this nice patch card of the Texas native prospect for the small price of $8.

Grilli from Italy

For $6 shipped, I managed to grab myself the final Pittsburgh Pirate to have an autograph in the 2013 WBC Topps Tribute set.

2013 Topps Tribute WBC Jason Grilli 25/50 AUTO

Here's the Jameson Taillon
Here's the Wandy Rodriguez

Jason Grilli WBC Jersey Relic

The WBC is done every 4 years and features players from around the world competing on an international stage to bring awareness to the sport.

2006 UD WBC Collection Jersey Relic

In 2006, the current Pirates closer, Jason Grilli was a member of the Detroit Tigers but was also a highly effective arm for Team Italy.  In 4.2 innings, Jason struck out 7 while allowing only 1 hit and 0 walks.

Jason has not shied aware from an apperance in the WBC, having also competed for Team Italy in 2009 where he struggled in his 3.2 innings of work collecting a loss and save.

Recently Jason appeared for Team Italy in 2013 as well, but only pitched 1 inning while allowing a walk and hits batman.

I'm still searching for a 2013 Topps Tribute WBC Auto of Jason so if you have one for trade, please let me know.

Oh Canada! Jameson Taillon WBC AUTO

I recently showed off the booklet that FINALLY gave me 38 different players to appear on a relic or autos with Jason Bay.  It featured all Canadian born players including Russell Martin, Jason Bay, Rich Harden, Justin Morneau, Erik Bedard, and Shawn Hill.

While Jameson Taillon wasn't born in Canada, his parents were so he was qualified to play for Team Canada in the recent WBC.  As is customary for Topps, they produced cardboard of the players involved.

There were several Pirates players featured in the 2013 Topps Tribute WBC release including Jameson Taillon, Wandy Rodriguez, and Jason Grilli.  I still need a Grilli auto from the set, but have already shown the  sepia Wandy Rodriguez I grabbed for 99 cents.  

2013 Topps Tribute WBC AUTO 35/35

Taillon pitched only 4 innings in the WBC allowing 1 earned run while striking out 3 member of Team USA (Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Braun, and Shane Victorino).  He threw 34 pitches of 52 for strikes so his command was pretty strong against an All-Star worthy lineup.  Not too bad for a kid that had never pitched above AA prior to the WBC.

I've said it before, the Pirates pitching staff should be very strong in the next couple years as more and more homegrown players begin to appear in the majors.  While many predict Cole to be the more dominant pitcher, I think that Taillon will one day surpass him strictly because his curveball is nasty.

The above card is my 18th certified auto of Jamo.

I found the bronzed Wandy

The title may have you thinking of a children's movie from the 80s or the weirdest porno you've ever seen.  In fact, it's actually about my first autographed card of Wandy Rodriguez.  This is a baseball card blog afterall.  Earlier in the summer, Topps released a Topps Tribute line of cards to celebrate the World Baseball Classic.  It featured autographs, jersey relics, and base cards.  You know, the normal Tribute line.  There were different levels of rarity for the autographs, much like everything else that Topps did.

2013 Topps Tribute AUTO Wandy Rodriguez 8/35

Well for the low price of a high bid of 99 cents I grabbed the above sticker auto of Wandy Rodriguez.  Wandy doesn't sign often and I have been impressed with him since joining the black and gold last year.

In his 24 starts as a Pirate, Wandy is 10-8 with an ERA of 3.66.  He's become everything the Pirates were hoping for when they sent 3 prospects to Houston last July.  Unfortunately, Wandy has faced several injuries this season and it's questionable if he'll be available to pitch at all before the playoffs.