Griffey

Griffey, 10"x 20" acrylic on canvas.

Here's a painting I just finished for daughter Claire's boyfriend's graduation present. Claire told me Drew's favorite baseball player was Ken Griffey Jr. which made this fun because he was one of my favorites too. Griffey was a great hitter, but I really admired the way he played the outfield with a joyful enthusiasm and excitement. He could catch any ball he could run down and I think this scene depicts that. I wanted to use the same monochromatic gray colors I used in my "A Fine Arm" painting, but on the cooler spectrum for a more modern look and I think it came out well. A Fine Arm, 30"x 40" acrylic on canvas.

Shoeless Joe

The original and the commissioned ink and computer drawing of the 1909-11 American Caramel Joe Jackson baseball card. Mine's in mint condition and considerably less sticky! These early baseball cards were in packages of caramels (not stale pink gum).

Killebrew dies at 74

I just saw the news a few minutes ago that Harmon Killebrew died today from esophogeal cancer and thought I'd re-post this entry and illustration I did from June, 2009 as a tribute:
"Harmon Killebrew was a feared power hitter with the nicknames "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon." Despite his "Killer" nickname and his powerful stocky build, Killebrew was in fact a quiet, kind man who didn't really join in with his partying teammates. Asked by reporters what he liked to do for fun, Killebrew replied, "Well, I like to wash dishes, I guess." 
 I like Harmon.

Chicago Cubs & St. Louis Cardinals

Here's an offering for fans of the Cubs and the Cardinals. I was really happy how all these mascots worked together and the project was a success. I see art as an adventure in problem-solving. You make do with your talent and are challenged by your art supplies and you set off to make something from nothing. This project was a lot of fun and that's just a bonus. Even better when it's something you're proud of.

Florida Marlin?

Ok, I know it looks more like a pointy-nosed dolphin than a marlin, but you try to draw one that's vertically challenged and holding a baseball bat! You have to admit that at least it's colorful and fish-like! Below is a rough mock-up of how these illustrations would match up with mixed-up heads, torsos, and legs. Hilarity!

Detroit Tigers

I thought I'd show one of my favorite projects that I illustrated for the Children's Learning Center at the Texas Rangers Baseball Stadium. I was asked to draw eight characters from different major league baseball teams to go on two four-sided, three part mix and match kiosk thingys. Follow? You know, where you can spin the head to match it up with a different torso and then match those with a different leg section for loads of laughs! Hehehe! A (Chicago) bear Cub with (St. Louis) Cardinal bird legs!
It sounded easy until I realized I had to draw a vertical tiger matching up with a vertical marlin, an astronaut matching up with a pirate, etc. Oh, and they all had to have the team's logo or hat and had to be holding a bat or ball. As long as I made the widths of the necks and waists match up, I was golden. Above, is the Detroit Tiger and the tick marks are where the drawing was cut to match with the other drawings that I'll post in additional entries. Below, is photographic evidence of one of the two kiosks that kids spun around at the major league stadium.

21

I vividly remember Roberto Clemente throwing out an Oriole runner at third base from his position in rightfield in a 1971 World Series game. One of the most amazing throws I had ever seen. No hop, right on the line, laser beam. Broadcaster Vin Scully colorfully claimed, "Clemente could field the ball in New York and throw out a guy in Pennsylvania." The Pirates won the seven-game Series mainly because of MVP Clemente's hitting, fielding and throwing.
He died tragically during an earthquake relief effort in 1972 when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed into the ocean. I'm looking forward to getting the graphic novel about Clemente's life by Wilfred Santiago titled 21.
There's a nice animated website about the book: http://21comix.com/

Mr. Cub

Ernie Banks was another one of my favorite players. How can you not like a guy who is known for his catch phrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame, let's play two!" I don't think I've ever seen a photo of him where he's not smiling.

Red Sox Nation

I was amazed last summer when I took my daughter to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles play the Red Sox. She wanted to wear her Red Sox gear and I talked her out of it, simply saying it's not cool to wear "visiting" team stuff to a home stadium. I saw a grandmother pelted with garbage in Yankee Stadium for wearing a Cubs hat (not even in the same league)! Anyway as we approached the stadium, we noticed all the vendors selling Red Sox stuff and everyone milling around had Red Sox shirts! Inside Camden Yards there were 30,000 Red Sox fans and about 5000 Oriole fans. I'd never seen anything like it for an "away" game. A guy standing next to me in the hot dog line in a "Camden Yards/Fenway South" shirt told me that all the games at Fenway Park were sold out and it was cheaper to take the train down to Baltimore and stay the weekend and buy plentiful Oriole tickets to watch their beloved Saux. I ended up buying Paige a Red Sox shirt to put on so she wouldn't be left out! These three cards here were commissioned by Ben Henry. I think I must have met Petrocelli once because I have his signature on an old ball. I think I pestered him while watching batting practice in Fenway Park on a summer vacation trip in the early Seventies. Thanks Ben! I hope you like.

Never Quite the Same

Two Red Sox greats who had careers cut short by injuries, Tony Conigliaro and Jim Lonborg, are this week's submissions. Popular Tony C was beaned in the head with a fastball and was understandably never quite the same. I believe the ear flap on the batting helmet began to appear after his frightening accident. I shook hands with him when he was trying to make a comeback with the Angels in 1971 and he signed a ball I had brought to the Senators' game with me. Jim Lonborg had an amazing pitching season in 1967 and a great World Series and then broke his leg in a skiing accident that winter and was never quite the same. He went on to have a career in dentistry. Thanks to Ben Henry for the request!

All-Star Break

I think I drew this when I was around 11 years old. An early graphic novel indeed! I think I must have drawn hundreds of pages of this nine inning All-Star game. The thing that I find hilarious reading it now is that everyone either hits a home run or strikes out. My favorite players hit three or four home runs in the game and the others have three or four strikeouts. I think I finally finished this masterpiece when I lost my green crayon or just got tired of drawing grass. click image to see larger

Koufax

Sandy Koufax retired with an excruciatingly painful pitching arm by the time I became aware of baseball so I never got to see him pitch live. I've seen film and video of him and he looked downright over-powering. I also remember seeing postgame interviews with him with huge ice packs icing down his inflamed elbow and shoulder.

715

Thirty-five years ago, yesterday, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record. I read an incredible story about the death threats he received as he approached the record and how Atlanta reporters had obituaries prepared for him as the 1974 season opened. Hank did it without steroids and had the quickest wrists in baseball. Great nicknames, "Hammerin' Hank, Oh Henry."

22

I loved to watch Jim Palmer pitch with his long stretch of a delivery. I believe this 1966 edition was his rookie card. My fondest memory of Jim Palmer doesn't come from the field (or his underwear ad). It was after he retired and he was doing Oriole television commentary. After a late game in Memorial Stadium, I had waited about half an hour for the crowd to clear before heading home and I was walking down the long concrete ramps from the upper deck to the parking lot and looked to my right and there was Jim Palmer! The two of us slowly walked down the ramps in the hot summer night and he looked happy, carefree and at peace and so cool in his jacket and tie despite the humidity. I didn't bother him or speak to him. He had finished his work and was heading home like everyone else that night.

Mr. Tiger

Al Kaline batted .379 in the 1968 World Series when the Tigers upset the Cardinals. When he retired, his #6 was the first Tiger number ever retired. Not a self-promoter. Just let his graceful play do the talking. As a kid, I thought "Alkaline" was his name. Stupid kid.
Thanks to everyone who came to my "Meet the Artist" reception! It was great seeing you all and you made it a wonderful success!

The Hit King

I never liked Pete Rose. There was never enough mustard for that hot dog. He was talented, intimidating and enthusiastic, I'll give him that, but I felt he gave himself the "Charlie Hustle" nickname. Late in his career I remember him playing first base and spiking the baseball into the turf after he'd catch the 3rd out. Bleargh!
I got married in Las Vegas two years ago and was strolling through the air conditioned Caesars Palace shops to stay out of the heat and in this large common area there was some over-the-top automated light show going on. We stared at it for a while and decided to move on and I basically bumped into a folding card table that was set up in the hallway and sitting behind it was Pete Rose! It was so sad to see him sitting alone in the hallway with no one wanting his autograph or pictures. I felt sorry for him and my wife asked me if I wanted to take his picture, but I couldn't be bothered. He was ignored by the large crowd watching the laser lights. I do believe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, but he's still a jerk.

The Mick

As a childhood Red Sox fan, I despised the Yankees, but I always had a soft-spot in my heart for Mickey Mantle. Who didn't? He had an infectious smile and every kid wanted to be him. I struck out a lot as a Little Leaguer and I think I found peace knowing that while Mickey was one of the league hitting leaders, many times he also led the league in striking out. He played in pain much of his late career when I was aware of him. I have a vague memory of running home from school to catch his last career at-bat on the radio (I think in 1969?), though I don't remember what happened. The 1966 card is one of his pin-striped best and a visual favorite. Tip of the Yankee cap to Richard and Scott Taylor for the request.

Say Hey!

I was 8 years old when I saw my first major league baseball game. 1965 Giants vs. Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. I don't remember too much of it, but I do have the program that has the pitching match-up as Juan Marichal against Bob Gibson, so it must have been a low scoring game. A vivid memory I do have from the game is Willie Mays hitting a pop fly that went unbelievably high and everyone gasped. After the game, we went down to the Cardinals dugout and I remember being shocked to see men with 5 o'clock shadows in uniform (instead of kids). It had been a kids' game for me up until then and I don't know why I was so amazed. I always liked Willie.

1966 Topps

I'm starting a new project here. Cartoonist Norm Feuti (who draws comic strips Retail and Gill) turned me on to this Japanese "Kuretake" brush pen that's pretty cool. My wife bought me one from DickBlick for Christmas and I've been wanting to try it out. I've never ever drawn with a brush before so it's a little weird, but I thought if I found a little project to work on in my spare time, I would try it out and see what happens. The packaging and instructions for the pen are all in Japanese, so that's a little challenging, but it's easy to figure out. I didn't immediately cover myself with ink, so that's good. The ink flow is really nice and I'm finding it fun.
I've decided to draw a baseball card each week from the 1966 Topps set. This is the first year I became interested in baseball and it's stayed a life long love. The 1967 Red Sox team had a dream season led by captain, Carl Yastrzemski, who was my favorite player when I was growing up. This was my favorite card of his (I didn't put it in my bicycle spokes)! My father would take me to Washington Senators games when the Red Sox would come to DC for a series and Yaz would usually go hitless when I was in attendance (the next night, hit two home runs). Anyway, here's the first card I've chosen to draw with my new pen, scanned into photoshop and colored to closely match the original card. Let me know if you have any player requests! Play ball!