I am a sucker for old baseball programs. I once wrote a long, rather high-minded thing inspired by them which sort of explains that fascination (and I think it actually holds up). But most programs these days are boring. Posed shots of the three best players, maybe. A logo and some TV sports production-level graphics. I realize that programs are really revenue generators and advertising delivery devices, so if the artistry of the past seems mostly gone with these things, it’s because form is following function. But I do sort of miss that old artistry.
Which makes me so happy to see the Cardinals’ latest scorecard. It’s quite the throwback to those old ones, and it gets bonus points for taunting:We’re loving this year’s Official Scorecard! Pick up yours at #OpeningDaySTL or at any home game this season. pic.twitter.com/LVTKKkP1KZ
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 13, 2015
The “learn to score the Cardinal Way” in the upper righthand corner made me roll my eyes, but it’s more than made up for by that absolutely hilarious empty-handed Pirate. And I’m screen-capping the miserable Cub for future reference.
This is all kinds of fun.