WSC Birth Years: Jose Contreras

Card #12 - Jose Contreras

Born: December 6, 1971

Jose has always had the talent, but sometimes it would result in a meltdown. When Contreras came to the White Sox, many thought it was another problem pitcher dumped onto the team. Since that, Jose has turned into a dominating pitcher.

In 2008, everything started to come together for him. Then, while running to cover first base, Jose ruptured his Achilles. He was out for the rest of the season and the injury was severe enough that it could have been career ending.

Jose was given a timetable of August 2009 to come back. With the healing powers of the White Sox training staff and against all odds, Contreras began the year in the starting rotation. He was tested early on and passed with flying colors.

The body was fine, but the pitching was not. Jose demoted himself after starting the season 0-6. He got back into pitching mode down in AAA and has been dominant once again, since his return to the parent club.

***Helpful hints in making a card set***

Be sure to double check everything. When making a card set based on birth years, make sure that you have the correct birth date. I had written down the wrong year for Jose Contreras in my original notes. Many foreign born players have multiple birth years listed in their documentation. Somewhere, in my original research, I had put down that Jose was born in 1972. According to both baseball-reference.com and whitesox.com, Jose was born in 1971. That's good enough for me.

Rather than throw out two cards for having the wrong year, I will display them here. One, to show off the work. Two, to be a warning for all other virtual card makers. Three, because some people really, REALLY like the 1972 Topps set.

Enjoy your unofficial bonus cards.