2017 PENNANT BOX BREAK - PACK 6

137. Carlos Rodon

94. Will Harris

182. Nelson Cruz

181. Ichiro Suzuki

114. Junior Guerra

295. Jake Arrieta

58. Maikel Franco

126. Devin Mesoraco

131. Ryan Schimpf

DT1. Buster Posey - Dream Team

Here’s a look at the non-auto version of the Dream Team design. The star is a little easier to make out and there are more clouds visible. Definitely has more of a primary color feel that matches the retro vibes.

2016 Clubhouse

I seem to be going every-other-year with the orientation of the Clubhouse set. Last year, they were vertical. So I guess it's time for horizontal again.

Once again, the design is filled with bold colors and simplicity, with the card cut in half by diagonal color boxes. The player cutout is surrounded by a white outline to keep them offset from the background. Diagonal bars come in from opposite sides for the player name and position with a team logo in a circle in the bottom right corner. It helps tie Clubhouse to the main Spirit base set without being such a overt copy. These simple elements keep the design from feeling overdone or cluttered while also keeping with the "fun" feel this low-end product strives for.

The back has plenty room for career stats while still following the elements and look of the front. Even the stat box is able to keep the angled format. If not for having to cut out every player, I'd consider doing a card for each of the 30 MLB teams just because the designing was so fun for me. To me, it strikes a good balance of modern and fun, without being too ornate like some designs are these days.

We still have the Pennant and Deluxe designs to finish/post and then I'll probably start on some new inserts for all four Spirit sets.

2014 Spirit Base: 241-250

Well since Topps has Series 2 on the shelves now, I figure I better finish up Series 1 here.

#241 - Cliff Pennington

Can't say I'm a big fan of the Diamondbacks' black jerseys.

#242 - Jordan Walden
Walden's missed a lot of time the past couple seasons so the photo options weren't very numerous.

#243 - Steve Pearce
The dusk lighting looks a little weird here.

#244 - Jonny Gomes
Look at that nicely trimmed beard. It's so very un-vomit-enducing.

#245 - Jake Arrieta
I was in the middle of writing this post when I got an MLB.com update about Arrieta's perfect game and held off on posting. In other words, sorry about the jinx, Jake.

#246 - Gordon Beckham
I had to use this dugout shot of Beckham. There are only so many action poses to chose from.

#247 - Sean Marshall
#248 - Nick Hagadone

Like these two lanky relief pitchers. Probably the least exciting back-to-back sequence of Series 1.

#249 - Michael Cuddyer
The sun and sky make this shot pretty cool.

#250 - Al Alburquerque
This is the first time I've really looked at the Qs in this name font. Basically just Os with little wedges on them.