The Non-Championship Parade, 2013

[G-Fafif]

All-time Houston Astro great Rusty Staub has been named grand marshal of the Non-Championship Parade for 2013, honoring the procession of teams that have definitively marched out of championship consideration. Rusty's Houston Astros have the honor of starting the parade, having been eliminated from playoff contention on August 28.

[G-Fafif]

Original Florida Marlin Dave Magadan leads the next unit in the Non-Championship Parade for 2013, honoring the procession of teams that have definitively marched out of championship consideration. Dave's Miami Marlins march second in this year's parade, having been eliminated from playoff contention on September 3.

[G-Fafif]

Erstwhile World Champion J.C. Martin joins another parade, the one that leads as far away from ticker-tape as possible. His Chicago Cubs become the third team eliminated from championship consideration in 2013, falling definitively away on September 8.

[G-Fafif]

Robin Ventura makes sure the Second City is well-represented in the Non-Championship Parade, leading his White Sox completely out of championship contention hours after the Cubs departed on September 8.

[Zvon]

Ventura looks like such a putz in that picture.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The fact that he's wearing a uniform that probably wouldn't pass for a t-shirt from Old Navy is part of it.

The puss too, though.

[G-Fafif]

Ken Sanders has been awarded the honor of leading the Milwaukee Brewers into the non-championship parade following their exit from 2013 championship contention on September 10.

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Brewers (and the Padres) perhaps got the ugliest color scheme in those 1972 cards. They're so ugly that I just love them.

[G-Fafif]

Jeff Kent has jumped on his motorcycle to lead the no-longer-defending World Champion San Francisco Giants into the non-championship parade, coinciding with the Giants' elimination from 2013 championship consideration the afternoon of September 11.

UPDATE: Kent denies he's on his motorcycle, but insists he's driving his freshly washed pickup truck.

[G-Fafif]

Yeah, Marv Throneberry knows why he was asked to lead his New York Mets into the non-championship parade. They were eliminated from 2013 championship consideration on the evening of September 11.

They didn't touch second, either.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

ow

[G-Fafif]

Armando Reynoso scurries to lead his Colorado Rockies into the non-championship parade, their 2013 championship considerations having actually evaporated hours before Marv Throneberry's New York Mets did on September 11, but you know how Marv is about paying heed to generally accepted running and marching routes.

[G-Fafif]

Rick Aguilera happily jogs in from the bullpen to lead the Minnesota Twins into 2013's non-championship parade. Aggie's Twinkies were eliminated from championship consideration on September 13.

[G-Fafif]

Del Unser comes off the bench to lead the Philadelphia Phillies into the 2013 non-championship parade. Del's Phils took a contention powder upon their September 14 elimination from championship consideration.

[G-Fafif]

Jerry Morales swings by to lead the San Diego Padres into the 2013 non-championship parade. The Pads founds the odds officially overwhelming when they were mathematically eliminated from championship consideration on September 14.

[Fman99]

G-Fafif wrote: Yeah, Marv Throneberry knows why he was asked to lead his New York Mets into the non-championship parade. They were eliminated from 2013 championship consideration on the evening of September 11. They didn't touch second, either.

This update always hurts the most. Going on seven years since it wasn't the case.

[G-Fafif]

John Olerud calmly walks at the head of the Seattle Mariners' unit that joins the 2013 non-championship parade. Oly's M's became essential to the festivities when they were eliminated from championship consideration on September 14.

[G-Fafif]

Despite the best efforts of North American hero R.A. Dickey, Jackson Todd has been tabbed by Canadian authorities to lead the Toronto Blue Jays into 2013's non-championship parade. Dickey took care of some pressing MFY business on September 17, but the Jays crossed the border away from championship consideration and into mathematical oblivion

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

This is a great parade. Although the representative of the Mets is dead at the present time.

[G-Fafif]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: This is a great parade. Although the representative of the Mets is dead at the present time.

Which probably explains his befuddlement at being asked to participate.

[G-Fafif]

Bernard Gilkey recognizes the Arizona Diamondbacks' playoff chances, once so hot that they needed a dip in the Chase Field swimming pool, are now all wet. As consolation, Gilk gets to lead the D'Backs' contingent into the 2013 non-championship parade, what with those Snakes slithering out of championship consideration on September 20, one day after a few of them rattled with rage at various chlorinated celebratory antics.

[G-Fafif]

Contrary to rumors that a Mo Vaughn float is being constructed to ride in the 2014 Tournament of Roses, the actual Mo Vaughn has been spotted leading the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim into the 2013 non-championship parade. The Angels qualified for the processional when they stopped conceivably qualifying for 2013 championship consideration on September 21.

[G-Fafif]

Lastings Milledge grabs the baton and marches at the head of the Washington Nationals contingent in the 2013 non-championship parade. Lastings's Nats became eligible to get in line when they exited championship consideration on September 23.

[MFS62]

I keep checking this thread, hoping to see Duke Carmel's card.

Later

[G-Fafif]

Jack Fisher and Jim Dwyer join forces to lead the Baltimore Orioles into the non-championship parade. The Birds flew far from championship consideration when they were eliminated on September 24.

[Edgy MD]

Booo!

I was hoping the O's would at least outlast the Yankees.

[Edgy MD]

G-Fafif wrote: Contrary to rumors that a Mo Vaughn float is being constructed to ride in the 2014 Tournament of Roses, the actual Mo Vaughn has been spotted leading the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim into the 2013 non-championship parade. The Angels qualified for the processional when they stopped conceivably qualifying for 2013 championship consideration on September 21.

And really, could Mo Vaughn have signed with the Angels at a more sartorially confused time for this geographically confused franchise?

[G-Fafif]

DA1VwGtnglo



The cheers from the spectators reach a fever pitch as Duke Carmel, Kenny Rogers and Bill Sudakis lead an impressive formation of MFYs in the 2013 non-championship parade. The MFYs were eliminated from championship consideration on September 25, or several weeks earlier than has been recent tradition.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I well remember the 1972 "traded" cards (I did one of Johan Santana when the Mets got him from the Twins) but I don't have any recollection at all of the 1973 version. Interesting to see that!

[stevejrogers]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I well remember the 1972 "traded" cards (I did one of Johan Santana when the Mets got him from the Twins) but I don't have any recollection at all of the 1973 version. Interesting to see that!

The 1972 one was part of the base set. 1973 was the very first separate set that was put out for transactions.