Complete Universe Facegen Pack 2.0 (New)

[pstrickert]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

He called himself “The Designated Sitter” and during his years as a utility player and pinch hitter for the Tigers from 1969 to 1974, Ike Brown endeared himself to his teammates and Tiger fans. Considered to be the last player from the Negro Leagues to make it to the majors, Brown was purchased by the Tigers in 1961 from the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues toiling nearly eight years in Detroit’s minor league system before finally promoted to the Tigers on June 16, 1969. One can’t help wonder if Brown, a black man from Memphis, Tennessee might have been called up earlier but for what seemed like a quota system for minority players, particularly in the American League.

In his 1970 bestselling book, Ball Bour, Jim Bouton wrote: "(Ike Brown) was the International League All-Star third baseman for a couple of years. He drove in a lot of runs, too, but was never even invited to spring training by the Tigers. Mike (Marshall) says that the fact that he was black must have had a lot do with it."

In May of 1969 Willie Horton made headlines when he walked out on the team for several days because he was reportedly upset with the booing he received while mired in a batting slump. However, the real reason had more to do with something that had been nagging Horton for some time. For an article I wrote for the Detroit Free Press several years ago he told me: “I was very upset because I wanted to see more blacks on the Tigers so I met with Mr. Fetzer (Tiger owner) and Jim Campbell to discuss the issue,” said Horton who was the only non-pitching African-American regular from 1965 to 1974. “It paid off because we started to get more black players. I got it off my chest, and carried the torch as well as I could.” A month after Horton’s walk out, Ike Brown’s play forced the Tigers hand to finally add another black player.

While leading the International League with a .368 average while playing for Toledo, on June 13, 1969 the Mudhens beat the Tigers 5-4 in an exhibition game as Brown homered, slapped two singles, and drove in three runs. Three days later Brown, who had been impressive in spring training as a non-roster invitee was finally promoted to the Tigers as a 27-year-old rookie.

His first major league appearance occurred on June 17th at Yankee Stadium.

After the game, Brown told reporters: “I figured that if they didn’t bring me up this year, they never would. After eight years in the minor leagues, you would be surprised too, if they would ring you. Now that I’m here, I just want to stay.”

As a valuable and versatile utility player, Brown didn’t get into a ton of games but he did play over his Tiger career, third, second, first, the outfield and would pinch hit. It’s always challenging not being a regular in the lineup when you’re used to playing every day in the minors. Utility players can’t really get into a hitting rhythm. During his MLB career, all with Detroit, he batted .256, hit 20 homers, with 65 RBIs in 536 plate appearances and had a .969 fielding percentage.

After Brown left the game as a player, he became an umpire with the goal of making it back to the majors. But it wasn’t to be. On May 17, 2001 Ike Brown lost his battle with cancer and died at age 59 in Memphis. Upon his passing, he was fondly remembered by former teammates including Tiger announcer Jim Price. “Ike was very popular player with his teammates and was a great role player and a great fighter,” said Price. “He roomed with Gates Brown, who said Ike would wake up every morning saying, ‘It’s a beautiful day’ whether it was or not. You have to love a person with that kind of outlook.”

a friend of mine gave Ike a try. I recognize the picture (left), it's made from a B&W photo with white glasses. He did often wear glasses but has plenty of pictures without them and they were better for facegen purposes. I should have checked the pack, because AESP did one (middle) already. But I'd already done mine so thought I'd put it up too.

Fine narrative and a splendid facegen. Thank you (both)!

[LansdowneSt]

Sam Jones was an intimidating pitcher. He was big (6 feet 4 and 200 pounds), threw hard, had a massive sweeping curveball, and could be quite wild. Three times he led the National League in both strikeouts and walks (1955, 1956, and 1958). He narrowly missed this feat a fourth time in his finest season, 1959, when he was the NL’s Pitcher of the Year. In 1955, Jones became the first African-American major leaguer to throw a no-hitter. He could have had at least two more, barring a dubious scoring decision and a fierce storm.

“Toothpick Sam” — he always had one in his mouth — gave no quarter on the mound. Valmy Thomas, his catcher in Puerto Rican winter ball, recalls how Jones warned any batter who crowded the plate, “[Expletive deleted], cover it up!” Sam squared off with Don Newcombe, Rubén Gómez, and Don Drysdale in knockdown duels and payback plunkings. Yet he disclaimed the “headhunter” tag. He stated, “I was always worried I might permanently hurt someone. . . .I just don’t believe in the beanball.”

The mournful-looking Jones was also known as “Sad Sam,” echoing the AL hurler of 1914-35. He didn’t talk much and mumbled when he did. He had quirks: He was afraid of airplanes and snorted like an old horse because of a sinus condition. Off the field, Sam was an amiable man, generous to teammates and fans alike. Hobie Landrith, who caught the righty for six seasons (1956-61), said it well. “He wasn’t very expressive, he wasn’t the gregarious type, (but) he injected humor.”

In a pro career that spanned 22 years (1946-67), Jones played in the Negro Leagues and in four other Caribbean nations: Panama, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. He was in the majors for eight full seasons (1955-62) and parts of four others (1951-52, 1963-64). His last four summers were spent as a player-coach in the minor leagues.

Sam came to the game late and needed time to harness his talent. With his shambling gait, he wasn’t a graceful athlete. He faced still more obstacles. It took him years to find an opening in the majors, and once he did, he got a largely undeserved reputation as “not a winner.” Often saddled with low run support and shaky fielding, he seemed to catch more than his share of bad breaks. Alas, this hard luck followed him into retirement. Just four years after he hung up his spikes, Jones passed away from a recurrence of cancer. - SABR bio

Here's a new one.

[percolaten]

Thanks Lans, looks just like him!

[clarkemi1]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

Sam Jones was an intimidating pitcher. He was big (6 feet 4 and 200 pounds), threw hard, had a massive sweeping curveball, and could be quite wild. Three times he led the National League in both strikeouts and walks (1955, 1956, and 1958). He narrowly missed this feat a fourth time in his finest season, 1959, when he was the NL’s Pitcher of the Year. In 1955, Jones became the first African-American major leaguer to throw a no-hitter. He could have had at least two more, barring a dubious scoring decision and a fierce storm.

“Toothpick Sam” — he always had one in his mouth — gave no quarter on the mound. Valmy Thomas, his catcher in Puerto Rican winter ball, recalls how Jones warned any batter who crowded the plate, “[Expletive deleted], cover it up!” Sam squared off with Don Newcombe, Rubén Gómez, and Don Drysdale in knockdown duels and payback plunkings. Yet he disclaimed the “headhunter” tag. He stated, “I was always worried I might permanently hurt someone. . . .I just don’t believe in the beanball.”

The mournful-looking Jones was also known as “Sad Sam,” echoing the AL hurler of 1914-35. He didn’t talk much and mumbled when he did. He had quirks: He was afraid of airplanes and snorted like an old horse because of a sinus condition. Off the field, Sam was an amiable man, generous to teammates and fans alike. Hobie Landrith, who caught the righty for six seasons (1956-61), said it well. “He wasn’t very expressive, he wasn’t the gregarious type, (but) he injected humor.”

In a pro career that spanned 22 years (1946-67), Jones played in the Negro Leagues and in four other Caribbean nations: Panama, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. He was in the majors for eight full seasons (1955-62) and parts of four others (1951-52, 1963-64). His last four summers were spent as a player-coach in the minor leagues.

Sam came to the game late and needed time to harness his talent. With his shambling gait, he wasn’t a graceful athlete. He faced still more obstacles. It took him years to find an opening in the majors, and once he did, he got a largely undeserved reputation as “not a winner.” Often saddled with low run support and shaky fielding, he seemed to catch more than his share of bad breaks. Alas, this hard luck followed him into retirement. Just four years after he hung up his spikes, Jones passed away from a recurrence of cancer. - SABR bio

Here's a new one.

Thank you Lans. Looks great!

[bthom]

Hey Lans, mind if I request both Sal Stewart and Edwin Arroyo, both are higher rated Reds prospects.

[LansdowneSt]

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

The first two picks the Reds made in the 2022 Draft were high-school-aged third basemen. Cam Collier, who had reclassified and went to junior college, went No. 18 overall. Stewart came 14 picks later, the pick the Reds got for Nick Castellanos signing with the Phillies. Stewart’s feel for hitting was apparent throughout his first full season as he earned a promotion from Single-A Daytona to High-A Dayton to finish the season.

A baseball rat, Stewart loves to work on his game, and he’s already showing he can really hit. He has impressive bat-to-ball skills and a very advanced approach, walking more than he struck out in 2023. It’s loud contact with high exit velocities and he started to tap into his raw power. More of that is likely to come as he progresses, with confidence he’s never going to need to sell out or sacrifice his approach for power.

Stewart played basketball in high school, and the Reds have been pleasantly surprised with his overall athleticism and footwork. He does have below-average speed but has made efforts to rework his body. He split time with Collier at third base with Daytona but also got some time at second, something the Reds plan on continuing to keep him as athletic as possible. His bat will carry him to the big leagues, and he could really take off in 2024. - mlbpipeline

[LansdowneSt]

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55

One of the youngest members of the 2021 Draft class, Arroyo got more exposure to scouts when he relocated from Puerto Rico to Florida for his senior year of high school. Drafted at age 17, he went in the second round to the Mariners and was having a solid first full season of pro ball when he was sent to the Reds in the Deadline deal for Luis Castillo. He struggled initially after the trade and had just a .576 OPS through the end of May 2023, after which he righted the ship. He slashed .276/.356/.474 the rest of the way, including a bump up to Double-A to close out the season. That momentum came to a halt when he needed surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder in March, ending his 2024 season before it began.

Before the injury, the Reds felt everything was trending up for the switch-hitting shortstop, who was set to play at age 20 for almost all of the 2024 season. He has a good swing from both sides of the plate, with a line-drive approach that produces hard contact to all fields. He started really coming into some "man strength" as the 2023 season progressed, and he started tapping into his extra-base authority more consistently, with some thinking he’s going to have at least average power eventually. After his rough start, he tightened up his approach and cut his strikeout rate considerably, all while raising his walk rate.

Arroyo has swiped 56 bases over his first two full seasons of pro ball and should be a threat to steal as he continues to the upper levels of the Reds' system. He’s worked very hard on his defense at short, especially on balls to his glove side, exhibiting impressive body control and leaving no doubt about his ability to play the premium position. The Reds were impressed with his emotional maturity as much as his physical growth, leaving some thinking he’s primed for a breakout season once he’s fully returned from the shoulder injury. - mlbpipeline

Here ya go!

[bthom]

Great as usual Lans, appreciate it!

[percolaten]

A request for whichever face-guru has the spare time- a young Johnny Oates, for historical games prior to the '72 'stache revolution.
On a similar note, while looking at old baseball cards recently, I was surprised to find Dick Allen rockin' a 'stache...on a card from '71! Apparently he was whiskered in games as early as 1970, when he was with the Cardinals. Two years prior to Reggie and the Mustache Gang Oakland A's of 1972.
Here's a link to a great article documenting the rise of facial hair in the '70's:

https://sabrbaseballcards.blog/2020/...hardball-hero/

Again, thanks to anyone who might undertake a de-'stached Johnny Oates.

[Patsy Tebeau]

can you do him?

[NYMike44]

Could you fix Petey Halpin here? Looks like he got his face ironed.

[LansdowneSt]

Originally Posted by percolaten

A request for whichever face-guru has the spare time- a young Johnny Oates, for historical games prior to the '72 'stache revolution.
On a similar note, while looking at old baseball cards recently, I was surprised to find Dick Allen rockin' a 'stache...on a card from '71! Apparently he was whiskered in games as early as 1970, when he was with the Cardinals. Two years prior to Reggie and the Mustache Gang Oakland A's of 1972.
Here's a link to a great article documenting the rise of facial hair in the '70's:

https://sabrbaseballcards.blog/2020/...hardball-hero/

Again, thanks to anyone who might undertake a de-'stached Johnny Oates.

Here ya go! Oates without a mustache. Suffix -cs on the file name.

[LansdowneSt]

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

Halpin performed well on the high school showcase circuit in 2019, starring at the inaugural Prospect Development Pipeline League and putting on a show in batting practice before the High School All-Star Game in Cleveland. The Guardians drafted him the following June in the third round and lured him away from a Texas commitment for an over-slot $1,525,000. He has advanced quickly, opening last year in Double-A at age 20, which has contributed to a lackluster .261/.335/.388 line in his first three pro seasons.

Though Halpin has a quick left-handed swing and feel for the barrel, it hasn't translated into much production yet. His plate discipline regressed in Double-A, leading to too many chases and weak contact. He has added 15 pounds since turning pro but it hasn't translated into power yet because he doesn't turn on pitches with authority. His proponents still think he can develop into a solid hitter with 15-20 homers per year, while others question his pop and think he may be no more than a platoon player after posting a .567 OPS against southpaws last year.

Halpin does offer solid speed, defense and arm strength, allowing him to contribute in a number of ways. He's more of a heady baserunner than a prolific basestealer, however. He covers ground in center field and is a quality defender at all three outfield spots.

[LansdowneSt]

I had already done him. Here is the file though for ya.

[Patsy Tebeau]

Thanks

[percolaten]

Thanks Lans!

[Patsy Tebeau]

Hmm.... Kevin Gryboski then? If that hasn't been done already

[LansdowneSt]

Originally Posted by Patsy Tebeau

Hmm.... Kevin Gryboski then? If that hasn't been done already

That's a new one for me

Kevin Gryboski pitched parts of five seasons (2002-2006) in the major leagues. The big right-handed reliever with an excellent sinker spent the bulk of his time with the Atlanta Braves. As of 2021, he owned the distinction of being the only player to twice pitch in all five games of a League Division Series, having accomplished the feat for Atlanta in both 2003 and 2004. -
sabr

[Patsy Tebeau]

This is great thank you!

[Patsy Tebeau]

It may be a bit of an obscure one but I was hoping to get ones of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre team since I wanted to do a college sim with the team I played for. These are the only ones on the current team that have photos since the current roster listing is outdated.