No. 6 -- Brett Lawrie, #280
I know, I know. Back-to-back maple leafs in the countdown is weirding me out, too. But, I just had to choose one of the All-Star Rookie cards because they are all so darn attractive. [Ed. Note: Oh how I pine for Topps to resurrect that old-school trophy in place of the forever-shrinking Rookie Cup.]
And this was my favorite of the bunch, hands down.
This actually was the first of the "trophy" cards I received in the course of building this set. At the time, I didn't know I was even going to build this darn thing. In fact, it hadn't even crossed my mind. But, Mrs. K -- with the help of the Easter Bunny -- put a blaster of 2012 Heritage in my basket last year, and I caught the bug thereafter. And this very Lawrie card was in one of the very first packs I opened.
What's that? Yes, I still get an Easter basket.
Excuse me? No, I don't find that strange for a man of 32. Hush now, I'm in the middle of this countdown.
Anyways, I really fell for this card the moment I saw it. Sure there's the sentimental attachment, as I'm reminded of Easter 2012 every time I see Brett Lawrie's toothy grin and the hint of his manly bicep tattoo.
Beyond that, however, this is a pretty freakin' great card all by itself. It's got the right stuff in terms of a classic ballplayer pose; some almost surreal background elements (I don't think I've ever seen the sky look that rich and blue); and let's be honest, the Jays' outfits are quite appealing to the eye. Photoshopped or not.
Plus, I think the upward angle at which this photo is taken makes Lawrie appear almost heroic, larger-than-life in a way. As if he'll climb to the top of the stadium's light stanchion to rescue a nest of baby birds as soon as the photo shoot concludes.
The Top 12 so far...
12 -- David Wright (SP), #467
11 -- Kosuke Fukodome, #248
10 -- Nyjer Morgan, #137
9 -- Todd Helton (SP), #484
8 -- Aroldis Chapman, #225
7 -- Jose Bautista (SP), #489
6 -- Brett Lawrie, #280
5 --
4 --
3 --
2 --
1 --
MK
12 -- David Wright (SP), #467
11 -- Kosuke Fukodome, #248
10 -- Nyjer Morgan, #137
9 -- Todd Helton (SP), #484
8 -- Aroldis Chapman, #225
7 -- Jose Bautista (SP), #489
6 -- Brett Lawrie, #280
5 --
4 --
3 --
2 --
1 --
MK
"Plus, I think the upward angle at which this photo is taken makes Lawrie appear almost heroic, larger-than-life in a way."
ReplyDeleteWell, he is.
"As if he'll climb to the top of the stadium's light stanchion to rescue a nest of baby birds as soon as the photo shoot concludes."
These are normal Spring Training warm up routines for Brett Lawrie.