Today’s 9–Brian Anderson

I keep my White Sox collection by players last name. When that player reaches 9 cards (a page), they get a post in the Today’s 9 series. I just recently moved all my cards into alphabetical order so most of these posts are just catching up and making sure everybody get’s their due.

BRIAN ANDERSON

Cards (L-R) – (top row)  2003 Upper Deck (star rookie), 2005 Topps World Series, 2006 Fleer Flair Showcase (rookie)

(middle row)  2006 Topps (rookie), 2006 Topps ‘52 (rookie), 2006 Topps Allen & Ginter’s (rookie)

(bottom row)  2006 Upper Deck Artifacts (rookie), 2006 Upper Deck SPx Next Line, 2009 Topps

Played with the Sox from 2005-2009.

Card back info –

“The 15th overall pick has the makings of a five-tool player for Chicago.  he’s shown power, speed, arm strength and range in center field.  But perhaps most valuable are his baseball instincts.  Anderson is comfortable with a wood bat in his hands and plays with passion.  His build has prototypical major leaguer written all over it.” – 2003 Upper Deck (star rookie)

“Brian’s 2005 season was more about a sneak-peek into the White Sox future than anything.  Considered their most advanced offensive prospect, he hit .295 with 16 homers in triple-A and played in 13 games with the big club.  On August 26 in Seattle, the five-tool youngster doubled and hit his first two Major League home runs of pitching phenom Felix Hernandez.” – 2005 Topps World Series

“In just his fifth game in the Major Leagues, Anderson showed off his power potential by swatting two longballs and driving in three run to help the White Sox to a 5-3 victory against the Mariners on 8/26/05.” – 2006 Fleer Flair Showcase

“Why did Chicago deal 2005 starter Aaron Roward and top prospect Chris Young during the offseason?  Because of Brian, the one centerfielder they didn’t trade.  Brian flashed both his talent and his personality on 8/26/05, when he belted his first two MLB homers…and then high-fived himself when given the traditional rookie silent treatment upon returning to the dugout.” – 2006 Topps

“In 2006, Brian succeeded Aaron Rowand as the defending World Champion White Sox centerfielder.  After a slow start, he showed why the club is enamored of his potential, batting .304 in July and August.  Anderson – who had made his 13-game MLB debut in ‘05 – also proved to be worthy defensively, making only two errors in more than 100 starts.” – 2006 Topps ‘52

“Billed as the organization’s best defensive outfielder entering 2006.  Anderson came through offensively in wet opening day conditions to deliver two hits and a pair of RBI in Chicago’s 10-4 victory over.” – 2006 Upper Deck Artifacts

“The athletic youngster is regarded as one of the top defensive outfield prospects in the Majors, and he showed off his sharp talents as a starter on opening day for the White Sox this season.  Anderson was an effective contributor in Chicago’s first game of ‘06, going 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of RBI.” – 2006 Upper Deck SPx Next Line

“Like many things Brian does, it won’t appear in the box score, but let the history books show that his sprawling catch on September 30, 2008 was one of the more important ever in White Sox annals.  His dive in center field provided the final out of Chicago’s 1-0 win over the Twins in a special one-game playoff that allowed the club to make the postseason.” – 2009 Topps

Cards in Sox uniform that I own currently – 9

I liked Brian when he played for us but he never fulfilled the promise that they hyped him to be.  All you heard was about his 5 tools, and he showed flashes of what he could be with his bat, but could never pull it all together.  If I remember correctly he went to the Red Sox and only played one more year there before retiring.