Ahh Photo Day... the day for your favorite players to relive the horrors of school picture day all over again. I suppose it is a small price to pay in exchange for being a major leaguer, but it is a price all the same. Fortunately for us, we are not subjected to this horror, but instead get to revel in the results. Which Cardinal cannot smile on command? Which Cardinal tilts his head too far when the photographer asks him to just a little bit? Which Cardinal has the scariest "serious face"? Let us find out now!
A quick initial review has revealed one thing...
BEARDS. ARE. IN.
Now, to the wonderfully awkward staged photos!
Actually, this year they are not too bad, but I have to pick on Matt Holliday regardless because it is tradition.
"Okay Matt. We are sort of going for a pensive look. Imagine you are pinch-hitting with the game on the line and you are thinking about your plate appearance."
"Okay, got it."
"That is great, Matt. Now, let's try an expression with some more intensity. You really need this hit and no one is going to stop you."
"Sure thing."
"Okay.... let's try something else. Why don't you turn the other way?"
"Right. On it."
"... Uh... Good... Why don't we try one with a bat. Here you go. Remember, you are about to have the at bat of your life."
"Ohhhh, okay, I understand."
"... Great... Just... hold that expression..."
"Perfect. Thanks!"
Love you, Matt!
Okay, moving on...
TRIVIA: Is this a photo of Michael Wacha or Adam Wainwirght?
I knew, but I did a double take.
And last but not least, the obligatory photo of Tyler Lyons.
Photo day... [sigh]
what else is going on in baseball...
- Pace-of-game changes, new slide rule adopted | MLB.com
- We timed a few mound visits from the 2015 World Series and here are the results | MLB.com
- The MLB Movie Bracket has spoken, and 'Field of Dreams' has taken home the title | MLB.com
- Fantasy baseball: Closers, saves key to wins | MLB.com
- Brian Matusz has managed to hit a hole-in-one as both a righty and a lefty | MLB.com
- Baseballs best projected backups for 2016 | MLB.com
- Today in Photo Day Adventures: The Padres got to play with some adorable puppies | MLB.com
- Breaking: John Axford's picks for the 2016 Oscars are in | MLB.com
- A's relief pitcher John Axford correctly picks 17 of 24 Academy Awards | SBNation.com
- MLB players pick actors to play them in movie | MLB.com
- A college player punctuated his walk-off grand slam with a bat flip into the heavens | MLB.com
- Previewing the Best and Worst Team Defenses for 2016 | FanGraphs Baseball
- Revisiting Baseball America’s Top-10 Prospects from 2006 | FanGraphs Baseball
- Rangers Sign Shortstop, Get Left Fielder | FanGraphs Baseball
- The Best of FanGraphs: February 22-26, 2016 | FanGraphs Baseball
- Jacob deGrom, Sonny Gray Top Candidates for Extension | FanGraphs Baseball
- 2015-2016 MLB trade rumors offseason tracker | SBNation.com
- Alex Rodriguez's office looks like it came from '50 Shades of Grey' | SBNation.com
- Rangers, Ian Desmond reportedly agree to terms on 1-year deal | SBNation.com
- Four important MLB moments that happened on Leap Day | MLB.com
what the cardinals are up to...
- Hochman: Rosenthal remains linchpin for Cardinals : Sports | STL Today
- Wong bats first, Carpenter third for intrasquad game : Sports | STL Today
KNOW THINE ENEMY...
the nl central
- Cubs surprised by Dexter Fowler's return | cubs.com
- Dan Duquette on comments by Casey Close | orioles.com
- Cubs in position to acquire impact pitcher | cubs.com
- Tipsheet: Pirates ace feels slighted by team : Sports | STL Today