Last year, as most of you know, I was obsessed with MLB.com's "badges", this curious sidebar diversion that mlb.com had constructed when "watching" live games over Gameday on a computer (mobile devices and tablets would not work). Three players from each team were selected seemingly randomly, and if a player achieved his pre-set condition (for example, "double" for a hitter, or "8 Ks" for a pitcher), you could "collect" the player's badge if your Gameday window was open at the time of the achievement.
The badge looked basically like a pog, with the team name on the top, player's name on the bottom (usually both names, but in some cases only the last name was listed in the badge--even when a first name might have fit without issue), and a goofy mugshot in the center. Infantile, right?
Players' badges could only be collected once (which was stupid). And if you had a game open, you could inadvertently collect the opposing team's badges as well--and you couldn't get rid of them once they entered your collection (another stupid thing, since people could be "trading" badges in a secondary market). Collections were kept in a nifty badge case via one's mlb.com login.
At first, of course, I thought it was ridiculous. But as the players started adding up, it got addicting to collect this meaningless currency, and watch my badge collection grow. And in one of the rare seasons where I didn't even buy a hobby box of baseball cards to open (one of my springtime rituals), it helped me keep up with players I didn't know.
By season's end, I had amassed 388 badges, enough to fill 24 "cases" (4x4 virtual badge cases). Badges were cut off for the post-season. But I was pretty psyched, even though they're absurd and have no value and are almost certain to be wiped from my account any second.
Which is why I want to document them for posterity here. I don't have enough time now to run regressions or stats on them, unfortunately. And some of them are missing images so I'm not even sure what team is being represented (which may be tricky if a player switched teams mid-year; my Rafael Furcal badge, for example, was registered with the Cardinals. Players switched positions in the cases all season long; at first, they were organized by date of badge acquisition, but even in the end, when they tried to alphabetize the players by last name, it wasn't clean (see; Jerry Sands, placed in between Torii Hunter and Raul Ibanez; why they wouldn't let a user organize his or her own collection makes no sense).
But grabbing those non-everyday players was a mini-thrill, since they had to be selected by the MLB.com badge gods, and then they had to perform in that game as well. All the stars had to align. Which made it cool for me to have snagged Jerry Sands and Marcus Thames.
By my quick count, I think I got 12 Dodgers in total, just under the league average, which means that there are some other teams that are over-represented there unfortunately (likely the by-product of having set up most of my Gameday viewing windows while at work, while east-coast games were starting to occur). I ended up leaving my work computer on and multiple windows open on almost every weeknight, in an effort to collect more badges. And of course, as the season progressed, it got harder and harder to add to one's collection.
But with the 2012 season almost upon us, I figure I should at least save the 2011 Dodger badges before they get wiped away for all time. So, without further ado:
- Bobby Abreu, Angels
- Dustin Ackley, Mariners
- Robert Andino, Orioles
- Elvis Andrus, Rangers
- J.P. Arencibia, Blue Jays
- Jake Arrieta, Orioles
- Bronson Arroyo, Reds
- Alex Avila, Tigers
- Mike Aviles, Red Sox
- John Axford, Brewers
- Erick Aybar, Angels
- Andrew Bailey, Athletics
- Homer Bailey, Reds
- Scott Baker, Twins
- Clint Barmes, Astros
- Jason Bartlett, Padres
- Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
- Jason Bay, Mets
- Brandon Beachy, Braves
- Josh Beckett, Red Sox
- Gordon Beckham, White Sox
- Heath Bell (picture image link busted)
- Carlos Beltran, Giants
- Adrian Beltre, Rangers
- Lance Berkman, Cardinals
- Roger Bernadina, Nationals
- Rafael Betancourt (picture image link busted)
- Betancourt, Brewers (no first name in badge; Yuniesky)
- Wilson Betemit, Tigers
- Chad Billingsley, DODGERS
- Nick Blackburn, Twins
- Kyle Blanks, Padres
- Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins
- Michael Bourn, Braves
- Ryan Braun, Brewers
- Zach Britton, Orioles
- Domonic Brown, Phillies
- Jay Bruce, Reds
- John Buck, Marlins
- Mark Buehrle, White Sox
- Bumgarner, Giants (no first name in badge; Madison)
- A.J. Burnett, Yankees
- Pat Burrell, Giants
- Billy Butler, Royals
- Marlon Byrd, Cubs
- Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians
- Melky Cabrera, Royals
- Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
- Orlando Cabrera, Giants
- Trevor Cahill, Athletics
- Matt Cain, Giants
- Robinson Cano, Yankees
- Jorge Cantu, Padres
- Chris Capuano, Mets
- Fausto Carmona, Indians
- Chris Carpenter, Cardinals
- Carlos Carrasco, Indians
- Jamey Carroll, DODGERS
- Santiago Casilla, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Starlin Castro, Cubs
- Brett Cecil, Blue Jays
- Ronny Cedeno, Pirates
- Jhoulys Chacin, Rockies
- Bruce Chen, Royals
- Shin-Soo Choo, Indians
- Chris Coghlan, Marlins
- Josh Collmenter, Diamondbacks
- Aaron Cook, Rockies
- Cordero, Reds (no first name in badge; Francisco)
- Allen Craig, Cardinals
- Carl Crawford, Red Sox
- Coco Crisp, Athletics
- Nelson Cruz, Rangers
- Cuddyer, Twins (no first name in badge; Michael)
- Johnny Cueto, Reds
- John Danks, White Sox
- Chris Davis, Orioles
- Rajai Davis, Blue Jays
- Wade Davis, Rays
- David DeJesus, Athletics
- Ryan Dempster, Cubs
- Chris Denorfia, Padres
- Ian Desmond, Nationals
- Ross Detwiler ??? (picture image link busted)
- Blake DeWitt, Cubs
- Scott Diamond, ??? (picture image link busted)
- R.A. Dickey, Mets
- Ryan Doumit, Pirates
- Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks
- Lucas Duda, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Brian Duensing, Twins
- Zach Duke, Diamondbacks
- Adam Dunn, White Sox
- Mark Ellis, Athletics
- Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
- Encarnacion, Blue Jays (no first name in badge; Edwin)
- Yunel Escobar, Blue Jays
- Danny Espinosa, Nationals
- Andre Ethier, DODGERS
- Kyle Farnsworth, Rays
- Scott Feldman, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Neftali Feliz, Rangers
- Prince Fielder, Brewers
- Chone Figgins, Mariners
- Doug Fister, Tigers
- Gavin Floyd, White Sox
- Jeff Francis, Royals
- Ben Francisco, Phillies
- Frank Francisco, Blue Jays
- Jeff Francoure, Royals
- Kosuke Fukudome, Indians
- Rafael Furcal, Cardinals
- Yovani Gallardo, Brewers
- Jaime Garcia, Cardinals
- Brett Gardner, Yankees
- Matt Garza, Cubs
- Dillon Gee, Mets
- Chris Getz, Royals
- Jonny Gomes, Reds
- Carlos Gomez, Brewers
- Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox
- Alex Gonzalez, Braves
- Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
- Gio Gonzalez, Athletics
- Alex Gordon, Royals
- Granderson, Yankees (no first name in badge; Curtis)
- Kevin Gregg, Orioles
- Zack Greinke, Brewers
- Javy Guerra, DODGERS
- Guerrero, Orioles (no first name in badge; Vladimir)
- Jeremy Guthrie, Orioles
- Scott Hairston, Mets
- Bill Hall, Astros
- Roy Halladay, Phillies
- Gregg Halman, Mariners
- Cole Hamels, Phillies
- Josh Hamilton, Rangers
- Jason Hammel, Rockies
- Joel Hanrahan, Pirates
- Tommy Hanson, Braves
- J.A. Happ, Astros
- Aaron Harang, Padres
- Rich Harden, Athletics
- J.J. Hardy, Orioles
- Dan Haren, Angels
- Isringhausen, Mets (no first name; Jason)
- Freddy Garcia, Yankees
- Brad Hawpe, Padres
- Chase Headley, Padres
- Corey Patterson, Blue Jays
- Ryan Vogelsong, Giants
- Jeremy Hellickson, Rays
- Todd Helton, Rockies
- Felix Hernandez, Mariners
- Livan Hernandez, Nationals
- Casey Kotchman, Rays
- Jonathan Herrera, Rockies
- Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
- Eric Hinske, Braves
- Luke Hochevar, Royals
- Derek Holland, Rangers
- Matt Holliday, Cardinals
- Ryan Howard, Phillies
- Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks
- Tim Hudson, Beaves
- Aubrey Huff, Giants
- Phil Hughes, Yankees
- Tommy Hunter, Orioles
- Torii Hunter, Angels
- Jerry Sands, DODGERS
- Raul Ibanez, Phillies
- Omar Infante, Marlins
- Brandon Inge, Tigers
- Maicer Izturis, Angels
- Austin Jackson, Tigers
- Conor Jackson, Athletics
- Edwin Jackson, Cardinals
- Jon Jay, Cardinals
- Desmond Jennings, Rays
- Derek Jeter, Yankees
- Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies
- Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks
- Adam Jones, Orioles
- Matt Joyce, Rays
- Jeff Karstens, Pirates
- Matt Kemp, DODGERS
- Kyle Kendrick, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks
- Jeff Keppinger, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Clayton Kershaw, DODGERS
- Craig Kimbrel Braves
- Ian Kinsler, Rangers
- Paul Konerko, White Sox
- Eric Hosmer, Royals
- Jason Kubel, Twins
- Hiroki Kuroda, DODGERS
- John Lackey, Red Sox
- John Lannan, Nationals
- Matt LaPorta, Inidians
- Adam LaRoche, Nationals
- Mat Latos, Padres
- Brandon League, Mariners
- Mike Leake, Reds
- Wade LeBlanc, Padres
- Carlos Lee, Astros
- Cliff Lee, Phillies
- Derrek Lee, Pirates
- Jon Lester, Red Sox
- Colby Lewis, Rangers
- Ted Lilly, DODGERS
- Tim Lincecum, Giants
- Francisco Liriano, Twins
- Boone Logan, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Kyle Lohse, Cardinals
- James Loney, DODGERS
- Derek Lowe, Braves
- Jed Lowrie, Red Sox
- Jonathan Luccroy, Brewers
- Ryan Ludwick, Pirates
- Cory Leubke, Padres
- Ryan Madson, Phillies
- Paul Majolm, Pirates
- Shaun Marcum, Brewers
- Nick Markakis, Orioles
- Carlos Marmol, Cubs
- Jason Marquis, Diamonbacks
- Victor Martinez, Tigers
- Justin Masterson, Indians
- Hideki Matsui, Athletics
- Brian Matusz, Orioles
- Joe Mauer, Twins
- Cameron Maybin, Padres
- Brian McCann, Braves
- Brandon McCarthy, Athletics
- McCutchen, Pirates (no first name in badge; Andrew)
- James McDonald, Pirates
- Casey McGehee, Brewers
- Mark Melancon, Astros
- Mike Minor, Braves
- Yadier Molina, Cardinals
- Brent Morel, White Sox
- Mitch Moreland, Rangers
- Nyjer Morgan, Nationals
- Justin Morneau, Twins
- Logan Morrison, Marlins
- Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays
- Michael Morse, Nationals
- Charlie Morton, Pirates
- Moscoso, Athletics (no first name in badge; Guillermo)
- Dustin Moseley, Padres
- Jason Motte, Cardinals
- Daniel Murphy, Mets
- David Murphy, Rangers
- Brett Myers, Astros
- Mike Napoli, Rangers
- Chris Narveson, Brewers
- Joe Nathan, Twins
- Juan Nicasio, Rockies
- Jeff Niemann, Rays
- Jon Niese, Mets
- Nishioka, Twins (no first name in badge; Tsuyoshi)
- Ricky Nolasco, Marlins
- Bud Norris, Astros
- Ivan Nova, Yankees
- Leo Nunez, Marlins
- Alexi Ogando, Rangers
- Ross Ohlendorf, Pirates
- Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
- David Ortiz, Red Sox
- Roy Oswalt, Phillies
- Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
- Jimmy Paredes, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Bobby Parnell, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks
- Felipe Paulino, Royals
- Carl Pavano, Twins
- Jake Peavy, White Sox
- Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
- Mike Pelfrey, Mets
- Carlos Pena, Cubs
- Hunter Pence, Phillies
- Cliff Pennington, Athletics
- Jhonny Peralta, Tigers
- Chris Perez, Indians
- Brandon Phillips, Reds
- Joel Pineiro, Angels
- Trevor Plouffe, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Placido Polanco, Phillies
- Rick Porcello, Tigers
- Martin Prado, Braves
- David Price, Rays
- Albert Pujols, Cardinals
- J.J. Putz, Diamondbacks
- Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
- Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
- Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
- Ben Revere, Twins
- Jo-Jo Reyes, Blue Jays
- Jose Reyes, Mets
- Alex Rios, White Sox
- Juan Rivera, Blue Jays
- Mariano Rivera, Yankees
- Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
- Wandy Rodriguez, Astros
- Esmil Rogers, Rockies
- Scott Rolen, Reds
- Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
- Ricky Romero, Blue Jays
- Sergio Romo, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Cody Ross, Giants
- Brendan Ryan, Mariners
- CC Sabathia, Yankees
- Anibal Sanchez, Marlins
- Freddy Sanchez, Giants
- Gaby Sanchez, Marlins
- Jonathan Sanchez, Giants
- Pablo Sandoval, Giants
- Ervin Santana, Angels
- Sergio Santos, White Sox
- Joe Saunders, Diamondbacks
- Jordan Schafer, Astros
- Max Scherzer, Tigers
- James Shields, Rays
- Seth Smith, Rockies
- Justin Smoak, Mariners
- Travis Snider, Blue Jays
- Joakim Soria, Royals
- Henry Sosa, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Geovany Soto, Cubs
- Denard Span, Twins
- Mike Stanton, Marlins
- Tim Stauffer, Padres
- Drew Storen, Nationals
- Stephen Strasburg, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Huston Street, Rockies
- Drew Stubbs, Reds
- Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
- Kurt Suzuki, Athletics
- Anthony Swarzak, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Nick Swisher, Yankees
- Mark Teixeria, Yankees
- Miguel Tejada, Giants
- Marcus Thames, DODGERS
- Josh Thole, Mets
- Jim Thome, Twins
- Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers
- J.R. Towles, Astros
- Mark Trumbo, Angels
- Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
- Justin Turner, Mets
- Koji Uehara, Rangers
- B.J. Upton, Rays
- Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
- Juan Uribe, DODGERS
- Chase Utley, Phillies
- Danny Valencia, Twins
- Jose Valverde, Tigers
- Jason Vargas, Mariners
- Javier Vazquez, Marlins
- Justin Verlander, Tigers
- Edinson Volquez, Reds
- Chris Volstad, Marlins
- Joey Votto, Reds
- Tim Wakefield, Red Sox
- Jordan Walden, Angels
- Neil Walker, Pirates
- Brett Wallace, Astros
- Chien-Ming Wang, Nationals
- Jered Weaver, Angels
- Rickie Weeks, Brewers
- Randy Wells, Cubs
- Jake Westbrook, Cardinals
- Matt Wieters, Orioles
- Ty Wigginton, Rockies
- Brian Wilson, Giants
- C.J. Wilson, Rangers
- Jack Wilson, Mariners
- Randy Wolf, Brewers
- Brandon Wood, Pirates
- Vance Worley, ??? (picture image link busted)
- Chris Young, Diamondbacks
- Delmon Young, Twins
- Michael Young, Rangers
- Carlos Zambrano, Cubs
- Mark Zimmerman, Nationals
- Barry Zito, Giants
- Ben Zobrist, Rays
- Adam Kennedy, Mariners
(Note: For those intrigued, a complete over-analysis of MLB.com Badges can be found here, here, and here. Or you can go ask DelinO, who finally succumbed to badges here.)
9 comments:
@Sax, was there any indication that MLB was running a contest or offering a reward for getting the most badges? You would think giving away some MLB.tv subscriptions would entice people into at least checking it out
Collecting virtual items with no observable purpose and no ultimate reward or benefit does seem like an appropriate pastime for a blog such as ours.
I think I topped out around 150, due to not being able to throw out the nets every night.
I had forgotten about badges! I only got 38 of them, primarily because I only opened Dodger games and even then, it wasn't that frequently.
In my collection, I have 11 listed as Dodgers. I got Rivera when he was with the Dodgers (even though his image is as a Blue Jay), which would make 12 Dodgers.
Surprisingly, I have a Dodger Sax didn't get! Tony Gwynn, Jr. I missed out on the legendary Thames and Uribe.
Steve, send me a picture of the Gwynn one, please!
Bunch of dumb asses, Badges! We don't need no stinkin Badges! Seriously what was up shit. I got mad at a co-worker for shutting down the computer at the end of work day.
They're gone! Our precious badges are gone!
Apparently they wiped us out for the new season. I somehow already have two badges: Bronx and Gateway Arch.
Sorry I was too late, Sax!
Never mind the last comment.... I wasn't logged in.
Now that I feel like an idiot... Sax, I sent you the picture of the Gwynn badge as well as one of the O-Dogg.
"Collecting virtual items with no observable purpose and no ultimate reward or benefit "
When you put it that way, Stubbs...yep, seems tailor-made for us. Count me in again this season!
Oh, and one that causes such pain and anguish (eg, when badges disappear, should have been earned but aren't, when we forget to sign in, etc). I feel like a moth to a flame.
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