Yearbook Cover Derby Final Round 6.01 1967 vs 1968

[Benjamin Grimm]

1967
Defeated the 2013 cover in Round 1.16
Defeated the 1987 Original Edition cover in Round 2.11
Defeated the 1972 cover in Round 3.06
Defeated the 1964 cover in Round 4.03
Defeated the 1966 cover in Round 5.02





1968
Defeated the 2012 cover in Round 1.27
Defeated the 1986 cover in Round 2.07
Defeated the 1971 cover in Round 3.04
Defeated the 1976 cover in Round 4.02
Defeated the 1970 cover in Round 5.01

[Guest 41Forever]

Had to go with 1968 and Gil. Magnificent cover!

[Edgy MD]

I, of course, went for 1967.

It's interesting how 1968 and 1982 echo each other — illustration featuring new manager that is hoped to complete formula of growing talent base, one summed up by a caption addressing the manager by first name and ending in "got you," and the other summed up by a caption addressing the manager by first name and ending in "got it."

[Guest d'Kong76]

Seeing them together and now having to decide is harder than
I thought it might be.

(and I don't mean George and George :-))

[Edgy MD]

I went for the 1967 as a matter of love.

But one cool thing I never really thought of 1966 is that the reader is given Gil Hodges' perspective.

It also strikes me that Hodges taking over as manager is the first time — seven short years into the life of the franchise — is the first case of an institutional icon returning to the organization to champion the cause.

[G-Fafif]

The climb up the stairway to heaven has only one logical destination: all the way to the top.

Either way, the Cult of Mullin prevails.

[Guest cooby]

I can't believe these two are the winners

[G-Fafif]

cooby wrote: I can't believe these two are the winners

I've had that feeling about other elections.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm pleased with the finalists. These are my two favorite covers. My choice is 1968, but it's currently well behind 1967 in the voting.

[G-Fafif]

We seem to have a champion.

[Edgy MD]

[batmagadanleadoff]

Why so little fanfare? I love this cover. In fact, it's my all time favorite and it's been so my whole adult life. Maybe even earlier. It's classic Mullin, demonstrating the artist's ability to tell a complex tale with a simple illustration in the style of political cartooning.

I'm surprised it won, since quite a number of youse professed your love for the '68 challenger. More so than the vote tallies indicate, so some of you '68 lovers either changed your minds or didn't bother to vote in what became a blowout.

I purposely did not telegraph my preference beforehand, figuring that if I did, anyone on the fence or indifferent to the last round would've voted for the '68 just to spite me.

Also, I never participated in a CPF song parody contest. Because I know that I'd never win. Not that there's any shame in losing, but I'd never win so much as a single head to head matchup---- even if I deserved to win.

There. I said it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

The fanfare was kind of preempted because of the "We seem to have a champion" post that snuck in before I got a chance to create the fanfare!

I still plan to post the final bracket graphic when I get the chance, and we may eventually stage some kind of low-key ceremony in Stockholm.

[Guest d'Kong76]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: I purposely did not telegraph my preference beforehand, figuring that if I did, anyone on the fence or indifferent to the last round would've voted for the '68 just to spite me. Also, I never participated in a CPF song parody contest. Because I know that I'd never win. Not that there's any shame in losing, but I'd never win so much as a single head to head matchup---- even if I deserved to win. There. I said it.

His scarf it was ap-ri-cot.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The fanfare was kind of preempted because of the "We seem to have a champion" post that snuck in before I got a chance to create the fanfare! I still plan to post the final bracket graphic when I get the chance, and we may eventually stage some kind of low-key ceremony in Stockholm.

That was a lot of fun!
Hope you have better luck with Stockholm than I, sometimes I wonder if the offices
are even open for business. Emails, voicemails and texts are ignored continually.

[Guest 41Forever]

I was in the 1968 corner, but this is certainly a worthy winner and Maja will enjoy having it framed above her desk.

Now, we need to settle the big debate about Mets pocket schedule covers, which have certainly slid downhill in recent years. Sometimes they mirror the yearbook style, but this year's looks totally mailed in.

The schedules were bland for a long time, but I like this one:

[seawolf17]

I'm a sucker for anything involving the Shea neon guys.

[G-Fafif]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The fanfare was kind of preempted because of the "We seem to have a champion" post that snuck in before I got a chance to create the fanfare!

Good news couldn't wait any longer.