Eli Whiteside, 2003 Bowman #323

It's been a while since I've posted a player's card just so I could make a lame wordplay on his name. But there's snow in the forecast for this evening and tomorrow morning, and I desperately want a snow day. Let's take a walk on the Whiteside.

Groan. Go ahead and toss your tomatoes.

Here in Baltimore, we've spent the entire winter being teased by Mother Nature. Nothing more than an inch of the good stuff this season, and that's just enough to wreak havoc on my morning commute. Last week, we had the worst of both worlds...rain AND temperatures in the 30s. Are you kidding me? It's time to straighten up and fly right, you mystical weather forces. I expect to wake up at 6:00 AM, see nothing but blinding white, and be able to turn over and go right back to sleep. Wednesday, March 6 shall be a day for flannels, snowmen, hot drinks, Netflix...and yes, organizing cards. Always with the organizing cards. Is that so much to ask?

Daniel Cabrera, 2003 Bowman #191

I'm in Frederick today as the girlfriend's wedding date. Here's something old (DCab's status as a rising young prospect), something new (I recently received this card in the mail), something borrowed (I assume that Daniel borrowed his hair from Miss Cleo), and something blue (the inner border of the card).

Dustin Yount, 2003 Bowman #329

I think I've determined one of the primary culprits for the Orioles' relatively barren farm system over the past few decades. The team saved money on scouting by just drafting and signing players with familiar names. The young man pictured above is indeed the son of Hall of Fame Brewers shortstop/outfielder Robin Yount, but a famous bloodline does not a major leaguer make. Dustin hit .241 in seven seasons in the O's organization, and is now hawking his wares in the independent leagues. On the plus side, he did lead the Lincoln SaltDogs in several offensive categories in 2008. It's a shame that Topps couldn't find a photo of him that didn't have gray clouds looming in the distance; they seem to have put the whammy on the first baseman.

In the past two decades, the Birds have had plenty of sons of prominent big leaguers pass through their minor league clubhouses with few tangible benefits. Off the top of my head, there was also Tim Raines, Jr., Pete Rose, Jr., and Jeff Nettles (son of Graig). The latter did just hit 24 home runs for AA Bowie in 2008, but it was at age 29, a full decade older than some of his teammates.

Maybe in the future the Orioles should stick to guys who don't have to worry about playing in the shadows of their own names.