RENTON, WA — Duelist Convocation International (DCI), the organized-play wing of trading card company Wizards of the Coast, announced on Friday that limited edition promotional Magic: the Gathering cards will be released exclusively in the Boston and Chicago metropolitan areas. Following spectacular postseason collapses by the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, special Jinxed Choker cards featuring pictures of their managers will be awarded as prizes for Arena League and Friday Night Magic in the two cities.

Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker committed several errors in judgment during the baseball playoffs, including leaving pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in far too long in Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS, respectively. Baker also exerted influence on the front office of the club to trade for several no-hit, no-field veterans such as Kenny Lofton and Tony Womack during the pennant drive. Last year, Baker piloted the San Francisco Giants to one of the all-time World Series collapses, losing a 5-0 lead with 7 outs to go in Game 6 to the Anaheim Angels. One of the enduring images from that game was Baker giving departing pitcher Russ Ortiz the game ball upon removing him from the game, only to have his bullpen cough up the lead like so many hairballs.

Boston Red Sox skipper Grady Little has all but resigned his post already after the maelstrom of protest following his boneheaded moves in ALCS Game 7 versus the New York Yankees. Little left in Sox ace Pedro Martinez despite his mounting pitch count, obviously faltering effectiveness, and a bullpen which had been stellar throughout the postseason. However, this was not the first dubious decision that Little made during the year; many fans, spectators, and even women questioned his handling of the pitching staff and lineup.

Both teams have had a long history of heartbreak, disappointment, and completely booting it under pressure. Names such as Bill Buckner, Johnny Pesky, and Leon Durham elicit groans of agony from fans of both teams. The Red Sox, who haven’t won a World Series since 1918, have been said to be suffering from “The Curse of the Bambino” since the team traded legend Babe Ruth to the Yankees after the 1918 season. The Cubs, who haven’t won a World Series since 1908 (and possibly even worse, haven’t even appeared in one since 1945), have been afflicted by “The Curse of the Billy Goat,” which originated when a local tavern owner was not allowed to bring his billy goat into Wrigley Field to watch a Cubs game.

The cards are expected to end up primarily in New York and Miami after a few months of trading by the public. People in those cities will then use the cards to endlessly harass and torment Cubs and Red Sox fans. Inspired by the positive reaction to these real-life inspired promotional Magic cards, Wizards of the Coast and the DCI have already begun printing the next cards in the series. Coming soon to card shops around the country will be Arrest featuring Kobe Bryant, Warmonger featuring President George W. Bush, and Predatory Hunger featuring the white tiger that mauled Roy from “Siegfried and Roy.”

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!

RENTON, WA — Duelist Convocation International (DCI), the organized-play wing of trading card company Wizards of the Coast, announced on Friday that limited edition promotional Magic: the Gathering cards will be released exclusively in the Boston and Chicago metropolitan areas. Following spectacular postseason collapses by the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, special Jinxed Choker cards featuring pictures of their managers will be awarded as prizes for Arena League and Friday Night Magic in the two cities.

Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker committed several errors in judgment during the baseball playoffs, including leaving pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in far too long in Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS, respectively. Baker also exerted influence on the front office of the club to trade for several no-hit, no-field veterans such as Kenny Lofton and Tony Womack during the pennant drive. Last year, Baker piloted the San Francisco Giants to one of the all-time World Series collapses, losing a 5-0 lead with 7 outs to go in Game 6 to the Anaheim Angels. One of the enduring images from that game was Baker giving departing pitcher Russ Ortiz the game ball upon removing him from the game, only to have his bullpen cough up the lead like so many hairballs.

Boston Red Sox skipper Grady Little has all but resigned his post already after the maelstrom of protest following his boneheaded moves in ALCS Game 7 versus the New York Yankees. Little left in Sox ace Pedro Martinez despite his mounting pitch count, obviously faltering effectiveness, and a bullpen which had been stellar throughout the postseason. However, this was not the first dubious decision that Little made during the year; many fans, spectators, and even women questioned his handling of the pitching staff and lineup.

Both teams have had a long history of heartbreak, disappointment, and completely booting it under pressure. Names such as Bill Buckner, Johnny Pesky, and Leon Durham elicit groans of agony from fans of both teams. The Red Sox, who haven’t won a World Series since 1918, have been said to be suffering from “The Curse of the Bambino” since the team traded legend Babe Ruth to the Yankees after the 1918 season. The Cubs, who haven’t won a World Series since 1908 (and possibly even worse, haven’t even appeared in one since 1945), have been afflicted by “The Curse of the Billy Goat,” which originated when a local tavern owner was not allowed to bring his billy goat into Wrigley Field to watch a Cubs game.

The cards are expected to end up primarily in New York and Miami after a few months of trading by the public. People in those cities will then use the cards to endlessly harass and torment Cubs and Red Sox fans. Inspired by the positive reaction to these real-life inspired promotional Magic cards, Wizards of the Coast and the DCI have already begun printing the next cards in the series. Coming soon to card shops around the country will be Arrest featuring Kobe Bryant, Warmonger featuring President George W. Bush, and Predatory Hunger featuring the white tiger that mauled Roy from “Siegfried and Roy.”

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!