For the past year, Baseblog has proudly supported fourth outfielder and former Cub Reed Johnson by sponsoring his Baseball-Reference page. But alas, times have changed, Reed has re-signed with the Atlanta Braves and it is highly likely he has played his last game in a Cubs uniform.

So, I’m moving on.

Reed will always hold a special place in my heart – but really, what I think I enjoy most is what he represents. I’ve always been attracted to as a fan hardworking, diving outfielders who “play the game the right way” (insert more cliches here), starting with super Sam Fuld. Something about cheering and going crazy for a guy who doesn’t play every day is fun for me. Maybe it makes those infrequent at-bats more exciting, maybe I’m just a baseball hipster.

Either way, I still wanted to sponsor a player on Baseball-Reference. With Reed gone, and his price having soared through the roof (it would cost you $245 to sponsor Reed right now), I have picked a new player. And that player is …

Dave Sappelt.

If you click on Dave’s page right now, you’ll see a familiar name there… mine! Sappelt was much cheaper, and he looks to be in the mix for the Cubs’ outfield in 2013. Plus, there’s this wonderful gif from Tim Souers over at Cubby-Blue comparing the two.

Now one can only hope that Sappelt out-hits Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo, places second in the MVP discussion, and Baseblog gets tons of hits. Ha!

Make us proud, Dave!