Last week, we all learned a little something about baseball cards and ourselves, as we whiled way a dead week in January debating the aesthetic merits of forgotten, worthless baseball cards. This week, we'll go from 16 down to 1. You can play along, and wager your children's college funds, with this handy printable bracket (click to download as .pdf):
As always, you're voting for the card (not the player) you find least attractive. The winning card will be framed and hung on the wall of Scott Weber's office for one calendar year, so a lot is at stake. Here's how the schedule for the rest of the tournament will lay out, for those of you making other plans:
Sweet 16 - Base Cards | Monday, January 19 |
Sweet 16 - Inserts and Subsets | Tuesday, January 20 |
Elite Eight | Wednesday, January 21 |
Final Four | Thursday, January 22 |
The Ultimate Showdown | Friday, January 23 |
Hopefully after that, the Mariners will sign Endy Chavez or James Jones will proclaim that he'll steal 40 bases or Zduriencik will have left a message on the voicemail of James Shields's agent, and we'll have something to talk about. In the meantime: here we go. This is where the going gets tough, for a very specific definition of "the going".
#1: 1996 Metal Universe vs. #4: 1992 Topps Kids
Tale of the Tape | ||
1996 Metal Universe | 1992 Topps Kids | |
0 | Carlories | 0 |
0g | Protein | 0g |
0% | Daily Allowance of Vitamin C | 0% |
25% | Daily Allowance of Zinc | 0% |
#3: 1997 Circa vs. #2: 1995 Fleer
Tale of the Tape | ||
1997 Circa | 1995 Fleer | |
Homespun Wisdom | Info on Front of Card | Playing Weight |
100% | Edginess | 100% |
100% | Explosiveness | 32% |
Oaky, notes of cherry | Flavor | earthy, hints of contemptuousness |
#8: 1990 Topps vs. #4: 1981 Donruss
Tale of the Tape | ||
1990 Topps | 1981 Donruss | |
No | Team Logo | No |
Yes | Non-Team Colored Borders | Yes |
Frank Thomas | Best Rookie | Tim Raines |
No | Contains Joe Charboneau | Yes |
#6: 1986 Sportflics vs. #2: 1991 Fleer
Tale of the Tape | ||
1986 Sportflics | 1991 Fleer | |
Clear | Favorite Color | YELLOW |
Magic Motion | Philosophy | YELLOW |
The Scientist | Favorite Coldplay Song | YELLOW |
K19: The Widowmaker | Favorite Submarine | YELLOW |
Check back tomorrow, which will be similar to today. For you. Your life, I mean. Your life is pretty much the exact same every day, when you think about it.