Pick-a-Card: Series 4 (Legends Among Men)
The piggy bank was heavy but it's time to break that baby and tear into another pack of wiffleball cards! Series 4 promises to not disappoint as it is filled with legendary players who have shined bright. Now, lets open this up. There. We won't be needing that foil wrap. In the garbage it goes! Whoa....only six again but look at these. Such variety! Three different styles.
This Steven Adkins card is perfect! He was an unsung hero on our 2014 NWLA Tournament team. He hit some homers and delivered in the field at at the plate. Sure, he got lost on the way to the field on Sunday but he put on quite the show on the previous Saturday. And let's not forget the hypest of hype videos for his appearance at that year's home run derby.
Oh man! A Jeremy Ray card. Finally! You know, few players have played harder and as long as this guy. He's got four seasons under his belt, a Cy Wiffle award, a couple batting titles, a championship trophy (as well as several runner up trophies), and the respect of players not only in our league but abroad. Ray exploded onto the scene in 2014 and carried the 2014 NWLA team on his back (with the help of Jacob Fischer and Nick Kappra) from the mound and eclipsed Drew McClanahan as the player to watch in HWL. Yes, he's had an impressive career alright and he's still kickin'.
"It wasn't me...it was the one armed man!" Is that a Justin Fairman card??? This guy was a trip to play with. We were teammates in 2015 and he was perhaps the only person I've played with that busts other players' balls as much as I do (perhaps more). Justin hits the ball better with his one arm swing than most can muster using a two-arm swing method. Justin has quietly built up some impressive stats over his few years but unfortunately, he was not seen this year. I hope he makes a come back and shows us that awkward yet effective swing.
I'm sorry, I'm feeling a little faint now. I'm just...very excited right now. I never thought I'd see a Jacob Fischer card and it's in my hand right now! One of the most controversial things I ever did as commissioner of the HWL was name this guy the 2014 Rookie of the Year. During a season where 75% of the players were rookies, it was no doubt going to be a difficult ordeal to name that year's best rookie. Jacob only played the second half of the season but his talent loomed large. He put up numbers from the mound that shocked us all. His stats were more impressive than many pitchers who pitched the entire season. Fischer did well at the NWLA tournament and won a HWL title in 2014. In 2015 he struggled with his accuracy with Chicken & Wiffles, and the team fell short of making a championship run falling in the semifinals. That was the last time we saw him, hopefully we'll see him again someday.
Now, here's a guy I wish more players knew: Andrew Hankins. This dude played a season in our old league and two seasons (2013-14) in the HWL. He played on the Terrorhawks and Green Bears and was a reliable relief pitcher and clutch hitter. He wasn't necessarily talented, but he enjoyed the game and enjoyed the playful banter and bonding associated with it. He was one of the quieter players but one I remember fondly nonetheless.
Gadzooks! If it isn't the most notorious multi-talented player to every grace the league, Brad Washburn. And by multi-talented, I mean capable of playing well while indulging in some contraband beverages. "Dorn", as he was better known, was a truly talented fielder and decent player. You never knew how he'd perform. He was either lights out or lights out...as in passed out. The guy was a treasure to watch but only played one season. He remains one of my favorite 'one and done' players. This is a truly special card.
