Bad Wax

My luck has been incredible in this box, the double rate has dropped to almost 16% after hovering around 19% for a while. I am starting to think that maybe there is a flurry of doubles on top but then it works itself out as you proceed to the bottom of the box. I had figured to expect 12-14% doubles per box, so I guess we shall see where I end up on this one. I was feeling under the weather most of yesterday and this morning so I blame any loopiness on that. Next week, I am unsure of what my internet status will be, but I will try and get at least one post per day done. Let’s see what pack 27 has in store for us.

1. Lonnie Smith - OF - Royals - 617 - The name sounds so familiar, but I just can’t seem to place him in my baseball memory. After reviewing his stats it dawns on me that he was part of the World Series Phillies team of 1980. He was also 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting that year. where he hit 0.339 in 298 at bats and stole 33 bases. He was definitely a burner as of 1985 he had already stolen 245 bases (7 seasons into his career). 1986 would turn out to be a good year for him. He would hit 0.287/8/44/26. One interesting thing about Smith was that he won 3 World Series Rings with 3 different teams in the 80s (Phillies, Cardinals, and Royals) he also lost two with the Braves.

2. Kirby Puckett - OF - Twins - 329 - One of my favorite players of all time. I still have 50 of his 1985 Topps rookie cards. Many people couldn’t understand why he was elected into the hall of fame. Here is the bottom line 2304 hits in 12 seasons. He was cut down in his prime with an eye injury. One of the best players to watch period. Here was this chubby short guy who could pound the ball and steal bases. In 1986 he would have his best season in the majors 0.328/31/96/20. He won 2 World Series rings, the first coming in 1987.

3. Bob Melvin - C - Tigers - 479 - This was Bob’s rookie card. He was basically considered a bust in the majors since he was selected 2nd overall in the 1981 draft. Mainly a backup throughout his career. In 1986 in limited at bats he hit 0.224/5/25 with the Giants. He turned out to be a pretty decent manager after his career ended. He currently coaches in Arizona where he led the D-Backs to first place last year.

4. Ken Oberkfell - 3B - Braves - 334 - I think Ken had the best last name and best beard in baseball. It’s kind of strange how he and Terry Pendleton’s careers intertwined. Ken was the starting 3B for the Cardinals until Pendleton unseated him and he moved on to the Braves, then Terry unseated him in Atlanta as well. He was known for one thing, swinging a nice batting average. He was not a power or speed guy so he did the little things that kept him a major leaguer for so long.

5. John Felske - Manager - Phillies - 621 - Who? True enough he was the manager for Philly between 1985 and 1987. I just don’t remember him at all and I grew up hearing a lot of Phillie news. In 1986 he guided them to 2nd place in the NL east.

6. Jerry Don Gleaton - P - 447 - This picture it makes me laugh so much. I don’t even know what to say about it. Let’s start with the shadow on the wall behind him. What photographer (shooting for a baseball card company) would EVER allow a shadow to appear in one of his proof photos? The other thing that bothers me is his smile, it’s very eerie to me. Almost untrsuting if you know what I mean.

7. Brian Snyder - Mariners - P - 174 - This would be Brian’s rookie card, it’s worthless, but still a rookie card. He only pitched in 15 games in 1985 and actually would not make it back to the majors again until 1989. Hey at least he can always cherrish his only baseball card. It’s something you and I can’t do.

8. Shane Rawley - P - Phillies - 361 - What can I say about Shane? He was such an average pitcher in his career that not a whole lot stands out. 1986 would be his best season being it would also be his only All Star appearance. He was a guy that had an ERA around 3.75 and a WHIP in the 1.3 range, usually won more games than he lost, but over all never set the world on fire with his pitching prowess.

9. Duane Walker - DH/OF - Rangers - 22 - And in this picture, Duane wants kids to know that when they want to be like a major leaguer, nothing says pro like a big wad of smokeless tobacco. You know what, I remember as a kid going to Yankee Stadium and it being Skoal Bandits day, you got a tote bag and a package of Skoal Bandits chewing tobacco. This was the early 80’s but still, I was definitely in my curiosity phase, my dad told me not to try it, but I did anyways and was utterly disgusted by it. I think back to that day though, how could you give out chewing tobacco to kids? How crazy is that?

10. Max Venable - OF - Reds - 428 - There aren’t enough Maxs’ in baseball anymore and I know the sport really misses it. Max was a light hitting back up outfielder throughout his career. TO give you an idea of how much he played 1986 would be a perfect example. In 108 games he received 148 at bats, so that works out to about 1.5 at bats per game. Not played for his bat, but definitely for his defense.

11. Hubie Brooks - SS - Expos - 555 - In 1985 the Expos pried him away from the Mets after he never really showed any power for them. So what happened? He started hitting home runs and became an offensive threat. In 1986 he hit 0.340/13/80 and wen tot he All Star game. One of his best seasons (although it should be noted he was injured most of the second half of that year). Definitely one of the best players the Expos had during that time frame.

12. Darryl Motley - OF - Royals - 332 - Although Darryl could hit the long ball, he was sometimes like Rob Deer. All power no average. Unfortunately teams didn’t need guys like that and in 1986 his playing time decreased quite a bit. He hit 0.203/7/20 in just over 225 at bats.

13. Dave Rucker - P - Phillies - 39 - I think this is like my 20th pitcher card from the Phillies, it seems like I get one per pack. He was a mediocre to bad middle reliever for the Phillies his ERA in 1986 was 5.76 and his WHIP was 1.92 so basically, the worst season you could have as a middle reliever. With no great surprise we may only see one more card of Dave in this Operation Topps process.

14. Ken Phelps - DH/1B - Mariners - 34 - I have to throw in the obligatory Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps reference, I am a Yankees fan after all. Looking back I can definitely see why they did it. Ken was a major home run threat back then. They had no idea Buhner was going to be as good as he was and Phelps was knocking them out at a rate of 1 every 10 at bats. He never topped 350 at bats and routinely would hit 25 homers per season. If he ever played full time he would have knocked 50 out. His main problem was that he was a 0.250 hitter and that haunted him throughout his career and in the end, that’s why he never got the at bats.

15. Carlos Diaz - P - Dodgers - 343 - He was an up and down reliever in his short career, and 1986 would actually be his last season in the bigs. When he was on he was on in 1985 he went 6-3/2.61/1.17 but in 1986 he was 0-0/4.26/1.58, just too frustrating to keep in the bigs which is why he didn’t stick around too long.

Overall this was another pack of 15 with no doubles! That in itself is worth a star in my mind. He Puckett card was the best of the bunch although there were a few minor stars in there as well. Let’s give it 2.0 stars for it’s rating. Not awful, but not good either. Kind of like Shane Rawley’s career. With this pack I am quickly approaching the 350 level and hopefully the 50% level of the set. That was what I was hoping for from this box, so it’s nice that it’s coming to fruition. Thanks to everyone for letting me know how much they like my new blog Badhits. It is a blast to write and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.