Friday, October 16, 2015

Airbrushed Fridays: 2015 Topps #432


Not everyone gets to playoff.

Who is he? Alexis Rios is a two-time All-Star outfielder who until very recently held the distinction of being the longest-tenured active MLBer who had never participated in the postseason. In recent years, the postseason has been opened up to a larger pool of teams than we're used to, but it still took Rios 12 big league seasons and 1691 games before he played meaningful October baseball. Rios split most of his time with the Blue Jays and the White Sox, but prior to this season he had spent a season and change with recently eliminated Texas.


How did he get here? Strangely enough, Rios lost pretty much all of his speed and power in recent years. The Rangers found him expendable after last season, but he caught on with defending AL champs Kansas City with a one year deal. Though he once garnered MVP votes as recently as 2012, his production never recovered with KC. And yet, there he is, in the playoffs, helping the Royals to a Divisional Series victory and a shot at the upstart Blue Jays. And now the playoff-less crown belongs to Adam Lind.

Repeat offender? No

Other versions of this card: None, but here's the original photo --


Airbrushed Score: 5

Comments: I wish the Cardinals were still in the playoffs.

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