The "New" Orioles jerseys and hats

Earlier today, the Orioles finally revealed their new look for 2012 and beyond.  Take a look:

Here's a picture of the new cartoon bird:

And a comparison of Cartoon Orioles past with the new one:

I know a lot of people around the Orioles blogs, forums, and websites were really excited in anticipation of a new Cartoon Bird being unveiled.  It will sell a lot of new merchandise but I hope fans don't get the wrong idea and think it makes the team any better.

The new logo is a good mix of both of the old ones but wearing the "O's" hat. The updated feel is nice but I actually hate the "O's" hat and the black alternate jerseys that they only wear on Fridays.  I actually hope this doesn't become the "Official" logo and is only worn on the hats.

I personally don't care for the new Home hats with the white panel.  I think it looks too much like a trucker hat. Leave that crap in the 80's!   I prefer the new Road hats with the all black crown but am still not completely sold.

There is one thing I do like is the official return of the orange jersey.  I'd rather see them wear these on Fridays instead of the goth/emo/hipster black jersey.

I think I don't like the idea of wearing an Orioles hat with an cartoon wearing a hat that I detest.  I'm not in a hurry to upgrade my wardrobe anytime soon.

Box Break: 2010 Bowman Platinum (Warning)

(At some point during this post the author descends into a mindless, deluded rant. After proofreading it the editor decided you may not want to read any further. The editor also determined that the author was either on or off his medication. You have been Warned!!!)

Well, it's not a full hobby box, it's just a blaster. Apparently Topps just released these a month earlier than the hobby version for some reason. Anyways, I went to Wal-Mart with the Fiancee to get some Christmas Cards and stopped by the card aisle while she was checking out. I saw Jason Heyward's likeness on the front and couldn't resist the pack ripping urge. I grabbed it and went to the same checkout line where my lovely fiancee was finishing her purchase. "More Cards?" she said with a disapproving look on her face. Sheepishly I paid for the blaster as she shoved the blaster in her shopping bag. Maybe I should have resisted the urge for more than one reason.

Here are my highlights of the box. A Buster Posey rookie card, and two Orioles. The rest of the box was pretty much just junk. I like that Josh Bell actually has an Orioles hat on because on most of his other cards he's been on this year he's had that blue and white abomination that they wore on the fourth of July and Labor Day. God what an ugly hat!

I have some problems with this product because it just feels like Bowman's Best with a new name slapped on it. It just feels like an unnecessary release. There is nothing spectacular about this product and no "signature" gimmick like rip cards from A&G or rainbow refractors like Topps Chrome or Bowman Chrome.

I was reading some of the backs and they are quite horrible. On the back of Posey's card it says: "Posey made his MLB Debut on 9/11/09, batting once for the Giants against the Dodgers. One that same date in 1985, a single off San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Show game the all time hits leader the record topping Ty Cobb's 4,191." What the Hell do both of these events have in common. NOTHING!!! except they were on the same date. Maybe Buster is supposed to become the all-time hits leader down the road. Maybe we will find out who this "All-Time Hits Leader" guy is at that time! Or Maybe Eric Show blackmailed Topps into mentioning his name on somebody's card or else.

Here is the write-up from the back of Josh Bell's Card: "Bell made his MLB debut 7/1/10, going 1 for 4 in Baltimore against the Oakland A's. On that same date in 1990, Andy Hawkins of the New York Yankees lost to the Chicago White Sox, 4-0 despite allowing nary a hit in a complete game." Wow, WHO GIVES A SHIT!!!" How are these two seeming unimportant events in baseball history make it onto a baseball card!

I challenge anybody to find a stupider paragraph on the back of any of the 2010 Bowman Platinum cards. Topps really is grabbing for straws here. Don't write anything if you can't write anything interesting.

I'm probably not going to be buying any more of this product so if anybody pulls any other Orioles from this abomination of a set, please let me know.