Well, the 2021 MLB season has officially come to an end with the Braves winning the World Series earlier this week. And even though I didn’t watch a single game of final series, I was followed along the entire postseason thanks to my Mocktober project. I did this in 2019 but without the clever name. Basically, whomever is the player of the game for each potential contest, I would make a card featuring them the following day. Each design would be something completely new for me (no leftovers, repurposed designs, etc.). Then I’d add it to a thread on Twitter and watch the 1s of likes just roll in. The purpose of the whole thing is to keep my creativity flowing and try out new stuff. Occasionally, something good-to-great would break through. And then of course there were a few flops here in there. But the schedule and volume of games dictated that I wouldn’t spend too much time on a particular card, so the misfires can be excused. If you didn’t happen to follow along on Twitter or maybe missed a post here or there, I’ve collected all the final 37 images here.

The styles here run the gamut, from retro to modern, bordered to full-bleed, clean to overdone. Seeing them all here side-by-side for the first time, it’s easy for me to pick out which ones would work for a full set and which would be one-offs or inserts. I do know this year I seemed to design the cards around the photos a bit more often than I usually do. I guess that’s understandable given that the player featured is pretty much set in stone and the images are limited to a single game. Normally, I have a season’s worth of photos to comb through so I can find the right one to fit a design.

So long, 2021 season. Hopefully the 2022 campaign starts on schedule or close to it. I’m willing to sacrifice a bit as a fan, though, if it means the players get a better shake and the owners reign of terror gets toned down a bit. (Not holding my breath on that one.)