Complete Universe Facegen Pack

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

Jim Clark played 13 games for the Cleveland Indians in 1971, a team which lost 102 games even with star power the likes of Vada Pinson, Graig Nettles, Chris Chambliss, Ray Fosse and Sam McDowell. Not much out there on him but on his 1965 MiLB annual questionnaire, when asked what he would consider his most interesting or unusual experience in baseball, the then-18-year-old Clark replied, "Hitting a pitch over my head onto the school cafeteria roof 450 feet away." I hope the varsity coach at LA High still talks about it.

Speaking of LA High, I used his HS picture from the yearbook as it had a cleaner, straight on shot. Aged him up a bit to a man as he had his cup of coffee as a 24-year-old.

No obscure cup of coffee baseball player is safe from the sleuthing talents of LSt!

Thanks bud, nice work as always.

G

[LansdowneSt]

From www.blessyouboys.com, "7 Unwritten rules of baseball"

6. Thou Shalt Most Definitely Not Steal Signs at the Plate

This is the exception to the rule. If you can stand at second base as a runner and decode the catcher's signs, you're cool, but if you're in the batter's box, you'd better keep your bleeping eyes forward and not be glancing back at the catcher's hands.

There is a hilarious story about Jose Nunez's (Blue Jays) first at-bat in a 1988 spring training game against Philadelphia, during which he blatantly turned his head around to see what sign Lance Parrish (yes, that Lance Parrish) was giving the pitcher. Parrish blurted out, "What are you doing?", to which a very naive Nunez admitted, "I want to see the signs."

The at-bat carried on, with Parrish taking requests from Nunez ("A fastball ... that one was too fast, can I have a changeup next?") until Nunez finally grounded out, by which point Parrish, his pitcher, and the umpire were all rolling on the ground and howling.

Redid the facegen. Took me a while to find something to write about Jose, but it was worth the wait. The taking requests part kills me

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

From www.blessyouboys.com, "7 Unwritten rules of baseball"

6. Thou Shalt Most Definitely Not Steal Signs at the Plate

This is the exception to the rule. If you can stand at second base as a runner and decode the catcher's signs, you're cool, but if you're in the batter's box, you'd better keep your bleeping eyes forward and not be glancing back at the catcher's hands.

There is a hilarious story about Jose Nunez's (Blue Jays) first at-bat in a 1988 spring training game against Philadelphia, during which he blatantly turned his head around to see what sign Lance Parrish (yes, that Lance Parrish) was giving the pitcher. Parrish blurted out, "What are you doing?", to which a very naive Nunez admitted, "I want to see the signs."

The at-bat carried on, with Parrish taking requests from Nunez ("A fastball ... that one was too fast, can I have a changeup next?") until Nunez finally grounded out, by which point Parrish, his pitcher, and the umpire were all rolling on the ground and howling.

Redid the facegen. Took me a while to find something to write about Jose, but it was worth the wait. The taking requests part kills me

Brilliant! I'm surprised he didn't ask for some soft pitch.

[karlstyner]

Hunter Brown (RHP, Houston Astros)
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 55

May I ask you a favor?

[LansdowneSt]

After years of compiling one of the game’s best farm systems, the Astros built a Major League empire that significantly thinned their prospect talent pool. However, Hunter Brown is proving that the organization is still among the best at developing homegrown pitchers. Brown is on the doorstep of the Major Leagues with Triple-A Sugar Land in just his second full professional season. He is the only Astros’ Minor Leaguer ranked in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list, at No. 80, and he’s drawn comparisons to Walker Buehler and Tyler Glasnow.

Through his first 19 appearances (12 starts) for the Space Cowboys this year, Brown leads all qualified pitchers in the Pacific Coast League with a 2.52 ERA, 115 strikeouts and a .194 opponent’s batting average. Although he wasn’t nearly as dominant as he’s been in the regular season, Brown also earned an appearance in the Futures Game at Dodger Stadium.

He sports a four-pitch mix, led by a 65-grade four-seam fastball-curveball combination and has greatly improved his control. Brown moved fast for a late bloomer and would probably already have a spot on a Major League roster in a different organization. It’s not unfathomable to believe that the Astros could add him to the 40-man and call him up for a stretch run or as an injury replacement. They could perhaps even to use him in a relief role, similar to Cristian Javier’s last year.

Regardless of when it happens, Brown is proving to have a big-league future -- a pretty astounding development for a Michigan high schooler with no D-I offers.

- www.milb.com, Road to the Show series spotlighting top minor league talent

Made the fg per request

[karlstyner]

LansdowneSt, thank you very much!

[karlstyner]

Werner Blakely (SS, Los Angeles Angels)
https://www.milb.com/player/werner-blakely-690956
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/angels...blakely-690956
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45


Jackson Jobe (SP, Detroit Tigers)
https://www.milb.com/player/jackson-jobe-695549
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/top100...on-jobe-695549
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55


Riley Greene (CF, Detroit Tigers)
https://www.mlb.com/player/riley-greene-682985

Three players please, Thank you always.

[LansdowneSt]

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

The Angels have hit the Detroit area high school scene twice in the last few years to roll the dice on some high risk, high reward types. In 2018, it was two-way player William Holmes in the fifth round. In 2020, they took Blakely, an athletic, but raw infielder who got an over-slot bonus of $900,000 to walk away from his Auburn commitment. He didn’t play his senior year because of the pandemic and struggled for much of his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League, though the Angels saw steady improvement from start to finish last summer.

Blakely has some raw tools to work with, starting with his athletic 6-foot-3 frame. His hit tool is fringy -- he struck out in 37.1 percent of his plate appearances during his pro debut -- and he will have to refine his approach to make more consistent contact from the left side of the plate. There’s at least above-average raw power for him to tap into and there could be more if he can add strength.

The Angels moved Blakely around the infield during his debut, getting equal time at shortstop, third and second base, largely because of other personnel. He’ll keep getting reps at all three, though he might profile best at third when all is said and done. He let the game speed up on him defensively, but he has a strong arm and good footwork that should allow him to stay on the dirt. - mlb.com

[LansdowneSt]

MLB updated its prospect rankings and a familiar face is now at the top.
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene, who was rated the No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline when he was called up to the majors on June 18, is now rated the top prospect in all of baseball. Former top prospect Adley Rutschman, the 2019 top pick, has graduated from the list since his call-up in May to the Baltimore Orioles. Jackson Jobe, the Tigers' top 2021 pick, was ranked No. 26.

Since arriving in Detroit, Greene has done nothing but pour gasoline on a fire of sky-high expectations. The 21-year-old is hitting .274 with a .384 OBP and .787 OPS in a little more than two weeks of service time. - Detroit Free Press

I had done this one a couple weeks ago but had not posted it. It would have been in the next pack upload

[LansdowneSt]

The Tigers’ decision to draft high-school right-hander Jackson Jobe over prep shortstop Marcelo Mayer was one of the most interesting — and depending on whom you ask, most puzzling — decisions of last year’s MLB Draft.

The Tigers, at the time, had their reasons for bucking industry trends. Data show high school right-handers are the most volatile of any position group. In a rebuild originally centered around pitching, the Tigers opted for the risky choice over the idea of a shortstop whom scouts heralded leading up to the draft. The Tigers, though, believed in Jobe’s talent, his high-spin slider and his command. They didn’t want to pass on a pitcher they believed was more advanced than Josh Beckett at a similar age.

They made their pick and sold it emphatically.

MLB Pipeline, meanwhile, has Mayer at No. 10 and Jobe at No. 25 in its updated rankings. Baseball America has Mayer at 14 and Jobe at 77. “We thought that he was by far the best talent, and you just don’t pass on guys like that,” Scott Pleis [Tigers’ director of amateur scouting] said. “There’s always a timeline. Society, sports, you want them today. But it’s gonna take some time, just like with any of these players.” - The Athletic

Best I could wo with him in the time I have this weekend. If he makes the bigs, I'll redo 'em when he gets a formal headshot.

[karlstyner]

LansdowneSt, Thank you so much for making this quality even though I always ask for it.

[luckymann]

Another three from the EL ranks whenever you get a break please bud.

Bobby Bonilla (will be a handy later double-up for my Bucs save...)




Reggie Walton




Israel Sanchez




Thanks Legend

G

[LansdowneSt]

Direct Deposit Receipt - July 1, 2022

$1,193,248.20 deposited to the account of Roberto Martin Antonio Bonilla by the The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club Inc.

I think I did that old Bobby Bonilla one early on the thread. Anyway, here's another. Smiling because 1) it looks more like the pic and 2) It's Bobby Bonilla Day every July 1 for another thirteen years...

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

Direct Deposit Receipt - July 1, 2022

$1,193,248.20 deposited to the account of Roberto Martin Antonio Bonilla by the The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club Inc.

I think I did that old Bobby Bonilla one early on the thread. Anyway, here's another. Smiling because 1) it looks more like the pic and 2) It's Bobby Bonilla Day every July 1 for another thirteen years...

He actually has 3 of those annuities apparently - another from the Mets and one from the O's. Smart cookie. Thanks pal.

[LansdowneSt]

What follows is from the Chicago 16-inch softball HoF (https://16inchsoftballhof.com/inductee/israel-sanchez/)

Israel Sanchez was born in Falcon Lasvias, Cuba in 1962. He came to the United States when he was six and attended Von Steuben High School.

He played sixteen-inch softball for the Thrashers, Red Dog, the 45s, Windy City, and Sage at parks throughout the Chicago area. He was selected MVP at Forest Park twice and was the MVP at the 2001 ASA Nationals. Teams he played on have won five state titles, seven ASA National titles and five Forest Park No-Glove Nationals championships. He was the captain of the great 45s teams. Israel was an ASA All-American twelve times, a USSSA All-American once, and was selected as a USSSA All- Defender player. In 2013, the ASA named him as one of the top twenty-two players of the past fifty years. Many softball experts consider Israel to be one of the best first basemen in sixteen-inch softball history. Some have compared his talents at first base to a master chef who can cook a meal with everything in complete synchronization.

Israel was drafted as a pitcher by the Kansas City Royals in the 1982 amateur draft. He pitched at the major league level for the Royals in 1988 and 1990.

Redid the facegen.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

What follows is from the Chicago 16-inch softball HoF (https://16inchsoftballhof.com/inductee/israel-sanchez/)

Israel Sanchez was born in Falcon Lasvias, Cuba in 1962. He came to the United States when he was six and attended Von Steuben High School.

He played sixteen-inch softball for the Thrashers, Red Dog, the 45s, Windy City, and Sage at parks throughout the Chicago area. He was selected MVP at Forest Park twice and was the MVP at the 2001 ASA Nationals. Teams he played on have won five state titles, seven ASA National titles and five Forest Park No-Glove Nationals championships. He was the captain of the great 45s teams. Israel was an ASA All-American twelve times, a USSSA All-American once, and was selected as a USSSA All- Defender player. In 2013, the ASA named him as one of the top twenty-two players of the past fifty years. Many softball experts consider Israel to be one of the best first basemen in sixteen-inch softball history. Some have compared his talents at first base to a master chef who can cook a meal with everything in complete synchronization.

Israel was drafted as a pitcher by the Kansas City Royals in the 1982 amateur draft. He pitched at the major league level for the Royals in 1988 and 1990.

Redid the facegen.

Does have more than a passing resemblance to the "Soup Nazi", no?

[LansdowneSt]

ESPN 103.3 FM / 1420 on your AM dial, from Lafayette, LA, gives us the honor of counting down the top Lafayette Drillers to play in the Major Leagues. Coming in at Number 5 is...

REGGIE WALTON---Walton was a talented, five-tool outfielder, who his .310, with eight homers, 78 RBI's, and 12 stolen bases for the Drillers in 1975. Five years later, after spending more time in the minor leagues, and two years in Mexico, Walton joined the Seattle Mariners, where he played two years (1980-1981), before ending his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1981).

The Compton, California native hit a .250, with two home runs, nine RBI's, and two stolen bases in his short career. Walton had his most extended playing time in his rookie season of 1980, with the Mariners, when he hit a .277 over 88 at-bats.

Redid the facegen. Tough one. The old one was done with his Fleer baseball card but I didn't like the shadows. I tried to use the Mariners photo shown and referenced the Pirates shot as well. Best I'll get it tonight.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

ESPN 103.3 FM / 1420 on your AM dial, from Lafayette, LA, gives us the honor of counting down the top Lafayette Drillers to play in the Major Leagues. Coming in at Number 5 is...

REGGIE WALTON---Walton was a talented, five-tool outfielder, who his .310, with eight homers, 78 RBI's, and 12 stolen bases for the Drillers in 1975. Five years later, after spending more time in the minor leagues, and two years in Mexico, Walton joined the Seattle Mariners, where he played two years (1980-1981), before ending his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1981).

The Compton, California native hit a .250, with two home runs, nine RBI's, and two stolen bases in his short career. Walton had his most extended playing time in his rookie season of 1980, with the Mariners, when he hit a .277 over 88 at-bats.

Redid the facegen. Tough one. The old one was done with his Fleer baseball card but I didn't like the shadows. I tried to use the Mariners photo shown and referenced the Pirates shot as well. Best I'll get it tonight.

Thanks bud. There's definitely still some issues with 23 and FG - look at the odd texture of my previous Ricky Walton. This is fairly widespread among players of colour. Refreshing does nothing. I always check before requesting an update. Mostly I am just deleting and replacing with fictionals.

[LansdowneSt]

Originally Posted by luckymann

Thanks bud. There's definitely still some issues with 23 and FG - look at the odd texture of my previous Ricky Walton. This is fairly widespread among players of colour. Refreshing does nothing. I always check before requesting an update. Mostly I am just deleting and replacing with fictionals.

I thought there were also issues with 22 and FG... with Macs such as yours. I feel spoiled getting the resolution I do on these facegens on a PC.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

I thought there were also issues with 22 and FG... with Macs such as yours. I feel spoiled getting the resolution I do on these facegens on a PC.

This isn't a resolution issue. It's way beyond that with guys looking like they are wearing bank robber masks.