2013 Leaf Best of Hockey

I can finally announce that I will be one of the artists contributing artwork to the upcoming 2013 Leaf Best of Hockey set, to be released in March. I'm very excited about this opportunity, and I will share more of my artwork when I'm given the green light to do so. In the meantime, you can access the sales sheet below (my Brett Hull sketch card, which features a red background, can be seen on the sales sheet).

Sales sheet

Bryce Harper Sketch Card

Subject: Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper
Medium: Graphite/pencils
Completed: November 2012

Babe Ruth Graphite Sketch Card

Subject: Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth
Medium: Graphite/pencils
Completed: November 2012

HOF Sketch Card Project: George Kell

George Kell was a star third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics (1943–46), Detroit Tigers (1947–52), Boston Red Sox (1952–54), Chicago White Sox (1954–56), and Baltimore Orioles (1956–57). A solid right-handed hitter, Kell accumulate career totals of a .306 batting average, 78 home runs, 870 RBI, 881 runs scored, 2054 hits, 385 doubles, 50 triples, 51 stolen bases, a .414 slugging average, 621 walks and a .367 on base percentage. Upon the conclusion of his career, he would go on to become a widely-respected baseball broadcaster for 40 years. Kell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983 by the Veterans Committee.

I completed this sketch card in November 2012.

10 random facts about George Kell:

• Kell played his college ball at Arkansas State University, and the baseball facility is named Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field in both his, and his brother Skeeter's, honor.
• He was named to 10 All-Star teams during his Major League career.
• Kell led American League third basemen in assists and total chances 4 times, and in fielding percentage 7 times.
• He won the 1949 American League batting title by hitting .343, a mark that denied fellow Hall of Famer Ted Williams of his third Triple Crown.
• Following his retirement as a player, Kell worked as a play-by-play announcer for the Orioles (1957), CBS television (1958), and the Tigers (1959–1963, 1965–1996). 
• From 1975 until his retirement from broadcasting, Kell was joined on Tiger telecasts by fellow Hall of Famer Al Kaline as color commentator. 
• In 2009, the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association gave Kell its highest individual honor, an honorary lifetime membership. The association was founded in 1948 by pioneer Tigers announcer Ty Tyson. 
• Kell served ten years on the Arkansas State Highway Commission (1973–83) and owned a car dealership, George Kell Motors, in Newport.
• Kell's brother, Everett "Skeeter" Kell, played the 1952 season for the Philadelphia Athletics. 
• On June 12, 2009, John Putt, III, Postmaster of Swifton, Arkansas (Kell's hometown) sent a formal request to Rep Marion Berry (AR-1), to have the town's Post Office named for George Kell. H.R. 3634 was introduced to the 111th Congress (2009–2010) on September 23, 2009 and on June 9, 2010 it was signed by President Obama and became Public Law 111-180. A Dedication Ceremony was held at the Swifton Post Office on August 26, 2010.

Joey Votto Sketch Card

Subject: Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto
Medium: Prismacolor pencils
Completed: November 2012

HOF Sketch Card Project: Brooks Robinson

One of the finest defenders in Major League history, Brooks Robinson played his entire 23-year

career for the Baltimore Orioles (1955–1977). Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-baseman in major league history He won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards during his career, for which he is tied with pitcher Jim Kaat for the second most all-time for any player at any position. Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, his first year of eligibility.

I completed this sketch card in November 2012.

^{10 random facts about Brooks Robinson:} 

• Robinson was drafted by the Orioles as an amateur free agent in 1955.
• In 1964, Robinson had his best season offensively, hitting for a .318 batting average with 28 home runs and led the league with 118 runs batted in, winning the American League Most Valuable Player Award in the process.
• He was selected for the All-Star team in 15 consecutive seasons.
• Robinson played in 4 World Series, and he helped the Orioles achieve 2 world championships in  1966 and 1970. 
• Robinson led the American League in fielding percentage a record 11 times, and at the time of his retirement, his .971 career fielding average was the highest ever for a third baseman. 
• His totals of 2870 games played at third base, 2697 career putouts, 6205 career assists, 8902 career total chances and 618 double plays, were records for third basemen at the time of his retirement.
• Robinson's 23 seasons with one team set a Major League record, since tied by Carl Yastrzemski. Only Yastrzemski (3308), Hank Aaron (3076) and Stan Musial (3026) played more games for one franchise.
• Robinson hit into four triple plays during his career, a major league record.
• Following his retirement as a player, Robinson began a successful career as a color commentator for the Orioles' television broadcasts.
• At the conclusion of his final season in 1977, his jersey number 5 was retired by the Orioles.