#124 Nicky Delmonico - Chicago White Sox



Player: Nicky Delmonico (Baseball Reference) (Wikipedia)

Card Number: 124 (Trading Card Database)

Team: Chicago White Sox

Division: American League Central

Position: OF

Jersey Number: 30
RC/Future Stars/Topps Rookie Cup: RC

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 16: Nicky Delmonico #30 of the Chicago White Sox homers during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the White Sox 5-4. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Game Date: August 16, 2017

Opponent: Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium: Dodger Stadium
Home/Away: Away
Game Outcome: Dodgers 5, White Sox 4
Win/Loss: Loss
Player Game Line: 3/4, 2 Solo Home Runs
Photographer: Rob Leiter (Website)
New Team/Photoshopped?: No

Birthdate: July 12, 1992

Birthplace: Knoxville, TN

Bats: Left

Throws: Right

MLB Service Years: 1

Social Media Handles: (Twitter) (Instagram)

This is Delmonico's first appearance in the Opening Day brand.

As mentioned in the Stats post about rookies, Delmonico has a different photo than the one used in Series 1. The one above was also used for the White Sox Factory team set.

Something I learned because of this card: I didn't realize Tennessee was such a hotbed of baseball talent. I think Delmonico is the 3rd or 4th guy I've profiled already from TN and now I wouldn't be surprised if there were a couple more by the time I'm finished.

Nicky's dad, Rod Delmonico was the head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee's from 1990-2007 and also coached the Netherlands national team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

#30 Jose Abreu - Chicago White Sox

Player: Jose Abreu (Baseball Reference) (Wikipedia)

Card Number: 30 (Trading Card Database)

Team: Chicago White Sox

Division: American League Central

Position: 1B

Jersey Number: 79
RC/Future Stars/Topps Rookie Cup: No

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 31: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox runs after hitting a game-tying single in the 9th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 31, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Blue Jays 7-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Game Date: July 31, 2017

Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium: Guaranteed Rate Field
Home/Away: Home
Game Outcome: White Sox 7, Blue Jays 6
Win/Loss: Win
Player Game Line: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 Run
Photographer: Jonathan Daniel (Twitter) (Instagram)
New Team/Photoshopped?: No

Birthdate: January 29, 1987

Birthplace: Cienfuegos, Cuba

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

MLB Service Years: 4

Social Media Handles: None?

Something I learned because of this card: I remember Abreu storming the League to unanimously win Rookie of the Year in 2014, but haven't heard much about him since. But that's my fault as a National League guy, not his. He's been plugging along, compiling stats. The back of the card mentions his four straight 25-HR seasons to start his career, but doesn't mention he's in an even more elite group of three players with 25 home runs and 100 RBI in each of his first four seasons. He joins Joe DiMaggio and Albert Pujols. Kris Bryant can join the 25 Home Run club this season, but he failed to get 100 RBI twice already.

 

Abreu made his first Opening Day appearance with a base card and short print photo variation. After being skipped over in 2016, he returned last year with a base card.

The same photo was used for Abreu's base card in Series 1, however he has a photo variation in both sets.