Card Spotlight: 5-1-09

2006 Finest #52 - Scott Podsednik

Although it won't be official until later today, 2005 World Series hero Scott Podsednik will be in the lineup tonight in Arlington, Texas. Will this be a return of the speedy Podsednik that defied odds by scratching, clawing, stealing and finding a way to get on base and advance, thereby setting up the potent offense with multiple RBI opportunities that a modern day Murderer's Row deserves? Or will the White Sox be getting the oft injured, seasons of wither, downtrodden Pods?

Scott assures that he is 100% healthy. If that's the case, this may be the shot in the arm that he needs to resurrect his slumping career and this may be the kick in the pants that the Sox need to get over the hump. Regardless of what happens, it should be interesting to see what Podsednik brings to the table this time around.

2006 held great hope for the White Sox and Podsednik. The Sox shed weight in the offseason and added great tools to the lineup. Things often look better on paper than they do in real life. One of the things in 2006 that looked better on paper was Topps Finest.

It was a decent release, but a bit misguided with solid colors and a simplistic design. Still, some cards really pop because of that. The players seem to jump off of the card. Podsednik looks like he's running from some Jason Voorhees mass slaughter on a baseball field. Maybe he was the oldest "kid" at that rave in the cornfield in Jason Vs. Freddy. Whatever the case, the baseball diamond seems to have run red.

I hope that Scott runs as well as he did on this card. It should add some speed to the lineup and add a true leadoff hitter. Welcome back Scotty Pods!