I hear ya Steve. I, too, appreciate watching the progress of true craftsmanship. One of my favorite things over at the Acoustic Guitar Forum is the custom guitar build threads. I've harbored a desire for a long time for a custom built guitar because of those threads. But I tell you what, my Kreindler envy is stronger!

Graig, Thanks for the thread and the ride along doing the painting.

I cannot wait for the next Rougnod Odor Bobblehead Night at Arlington Park, also featuring Jose Bautista. :)

Love the step-by-step in Graig's paintings. Eager to see this project as it progresses.

Thought that the board might enjoy the irony - General Mills and JB recently partnered to put the bat flip on boxes of Golden Graham's Crunch (emphasis mine).

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...psucjwfrsp.png

I am sure, this will be a big seller in Texas.

Actually, I think they have been reading this thread.

jose bautista
 

I hear a lot of talk about how great Jose Bautista is but I just don't get it. His stats are really horrible, and that's considering he plays in an extremely hitter friendly park.

He's no Mike Trout but for a team lacking a star for most of the '90's-2008 he'll do:

-6 x All Star
- 2 x Home Run Champ
- 3 x Silver Slugger
- Top 8 in MVP Voting 4 x
- 298 HR
- 34.5 career WAR - top 30 active
- .8640 career OPS - top 17 active

Look at his stats playing with the Blue Jays (2009-present)

He has batted 262 with a 536 SLG. He lead the league in HRs twice with 252 HRs in that time. His 2011 WAR was in the top 10 at 8.1. His WAR total since 2009 is 37.4, this is higher than his career WAR. He has been a star with the Jays and the fans needed a star. His stats prior to his time with the Blue Jays skew his career stats, but the Jays fans aren't looking at what he did with other teams, just what he has done for them.

Etsmith is a windup merchant. Move along.