Australian Custom Baseball Cards

Friday, September 9, 2016

Brandon Zywicki - 2015-16 Sydney Blue Sox

I had originally assumed that because Zywicki was carrying around the Disney Frozen backpack usually assigned to the junior rookies on the team, I thought he was a local Sydney boy, however it appears that he was born in the USA. Turns out that the backpack is actually assigned to the youngest bullpen pitcher. Zywicki's time with the Sydney Blue Sox during the 2015-16 ABL season was his first in the ABL.

In 2015 Zywicki played for the Okotoks Dawgs in the Western Major Baseball League, a collegiate summer league in Canada, whilst studying at the Missouri Baptist University.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Anthony Caronia - 2015-16 Perth Heat

Caronia is an American import from the Baltimore Orioles organisation who played with the Perth Heat during the 2015-16 ABL season. In 2015 Caronia spent most of his time with the High A level Frederick Keys in the Carolina League as well as a short stint with the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles Triple A affiliate.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Jeremy Young - 2015-16 Melbourne Aces

Young is a local relief pitcher who played with the Melbourne Aces during the 2015-16 ABL season. He was a member of the Aces development squad, making his ABL debut with Aces during the 2014-15 season.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Jack Murphy - 2015-16 Canberra Cavalry

American import and Cavalry fan favorite Murphy returned for his fourth season with the Canberra Cavalry in the 2015-16 ABL season. Murphy's participation wasn't originally sure as he was traded from Toronto to the LA Dodgers in September, only about 6 weeks before the start of the ABL season. Murphy had spent 2015 with New Hampshite Fisher Cats, the Blue Jays' double A affiliate in the Eastern League. In 2016 he's been playing with the Dodgers' triple A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

James Albury - 2015-16 Brisbane Bandits

Albury returned to the Brisbane Bandits lineup for a single game during the 2015-16 ABL season, his first game for nearly two years. I've been unable to find out why the large gap between appearances, whether it was due to form, injury, or roster space, but whatever the cause, Albury still seems to be on the Bandits radar, making several trips with the team, even if only appearing once.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Dallas Gallant - 2015-16 Adelaide Bite

Gallant was an American import from the Texas Rangers minor league organisation who played with the Adelaide Bite during the 2015-16 ABL season. Gallant had previously spent 5 years in the Minnesota Twins organisation before being released by the Twins and signed by the Rangers. Gallant last played with the Rangers' advanced A affiliate, the High Desert Mavericks in late 2015 before coming out to the Bite, however he voluntarily retired from affiliated ball on his return back to the USA in 2016.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Joshua Dean - 2015-16 Sydney Blue Sox

Dean returned for his fifth season with the Sydney Blue Sox during the 2015-16 ABL season. Dean has become as famous for his beard as ex-Blue Sox player Matthew Williams was. I had shots from two series that Dean played in - one early in the season and one late in the season ... I figure he must have a "no shave during the season" rule as it grew remarkably during that period. I was tempted to have two shots to enable a comparison, however I couldn't go past the "pirate sneer" look he gave after striking out in one of the late season games.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Daniel Schmidt - 2015-16 Perth Heat

Schmidt continued as a member of the Perth Heat starting rotation during the 2015-16 ABL season, his sixth season in the ABL.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Darryl George - 2015-16 Melbourne Aces

George returned for his fifth season with the Melbourne Aces during the 2015-16 ABL season.

Friday, July 15, 2016

Phil Kish - 2015-16 Canberra Cavalry

Kish is an American import from the Toronto Blue Jays organisation who played with the Canberra Cavalry during the 2015-16 ABL season. In 2015 he split time between the single A level Lansing Lugnuts and the advanced A level Dunedin Blue Jays.

It's funny how facial hair can make a difference, his MiLB profile shot has him with a petit goatee, he's got a regular beard going in the top photo, and a distinct mustache growing in the second photo. I had to double check that they were all photos of the same player.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Ryan Battaglia - 2015-16 Brisbane Bandits

Battaglia entered his sixth season with the Brisbane Bandits during the 2015-16 ABL season. Unfortunately for Battaglia, he was released by the Cleveland Indians organisation at the start of the 2015 season in the US, following 3 years in the minors.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Matt Williams - 2015-16 Adelaide Bite

I'm still a bit frustrated in that I can never seem to get any decent shots of Williams ever since he moved from Sydney to Adelaide. The 2015-16 season was Williams' sixth in the ABL and his third with the Adelaide Bite. Whilst this shot of Williams isn't bad, I'd prefer to get a shot of him in just his uniform, without the Bite hoodie.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Todd Grattan - 2015-16 Sydney Blue Sox

Sydney veteran Grattan returned for his fifth ABL season with the Sydney Blue Sox during the 2015-16 ABL season.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Manuel (Junior) Arrojo - 2015-16 Perth Heat

Arrojo is an American import who played with the Perth Heat during the 2015-16 ABL season. Arrojo had spent the previous five seasons playing independent ball in the USA, in 2015 playing with the Rockland Boulders in the Canadian American Association. His first name si Manuel, but he's known as Junior.

Most of the photos I have of him are when he's laughing, but I thought I'd grab this stern looking shot for his card.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Josh Lee - 2015-16 Melbourne Aces

Lee is a native Victorian who debuted with the Melbourne Aces during the 2015-16 ABL season. Lee was only active on the roster for 14 days during the season and played only a single game for the Aces, so I'm fortunate to have shots of him in uniform.