Goose Joak Originals: Red Sox Nation and Padre Island

Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox
by Goose Joak

One of my favorite players when he pitched for the Marlins.

Jed Lowrie, Boston Red Sox
by Goose Joak

Cheetos!

Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox
by Goose Joak

Considered by some to be a good sleeper candidate in 2009. Remember last year when he and Phil Hughes were all the rage?

I still think he'll need to harness the BB/9 before he turns the corner.


Josh Bard, Boston Red Sox
by Goose Joak

Josh Bard, donning the tools of ignorance.

Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox
by Thoughts and Sox and Goose Joak

An awesome card of Lowell diving toward home. The umpire and on deck hitter really direct your eyes towards the action. Cool shot.

Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox
by Thoughts and Sox and Goose Joak

A nice shot of Varitek signing for the fans. I was surprised to see him back in Boston, especially with the way they've been quick to churn through veterans past their prime.

David Ortiz (guest starring Johnny Pesky), Boston Red Sox
by Thoughts and Sox and Goose Joak

What a wonderful shot. I really like the sense of warmth in this picture. A neat juxtaposition of yesteryear and today.

Scott Hairston, San Diego Padres
by Punk Rock Paint and Goose Joak

The dude can flat out rake. SLG% by year, minors:

2004: .565
2005: .608
2006: .591

SLG% by year, majors:
2007: .452
2008: .479

I really think he could turn the corner this year.

Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres
by Punk Rock Paint and Goose Joak

Gorgeous shot of Peavy. I love the way his arms span from corner to corner on this card, and I love the way the crowd colors blend in with the themed card color. I also like the way Peavy is sneering over his GS shoulder. Just a beautiful card, very understated and perfect.

Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres
by Punk Rock Paint and Goose Joak

Reminds me of Rafael Palmeiro, pre-Congress edition. Tremendously underrated year in and year out, putting up great numbers without a lot of fanfare.

Edgar Gonzalez, San Diego Padres
by Goose Joak

Not enough has been made of the Gonzalez brothers playing together on the same team. If Aurelius Giles had still been with the Padres last year, 50% of the position players would have been playing with a sibling.

Will Venable, San Diego Padres
by Goose Joak

Yes! I love this guy's name. It sounds like something right out of Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball:



I played a ton of that back in grade school.