Operation Topps – Topps 1986 (Pack 55)

Man after yesterday’s pack, I hope that we don’t see a repeat of that, only 3 new cards! I kind of figured that the packs were going to head that way at some point. I know there are quite a few people that predicted I would fall way short, but I am closing in on the 200 cards left mark. I have even heard that some people have money riding on this which is just spectacular. Of course before I did this I was sooo sure that I was going to nail the set in two boxes. Of course I still have a shot but at this point we are starting to get down to the needle in the haystack. We will see how it plays out, the smart money is now on not completing it. Let’s look at pack 55.

1. Tommy John – P – A’s – 240 – How appropriate is it that I got this card a day after I did a review of him on my other site (Badhits)? In 1986 he was on the New York Yankees, he went 5-3/2.93/1.245, oh and did I mention he was 43? He was 43 and putting up those numbers. There are 25 year olds dying to post numbers like that. To think he was supposed to retire after the 1974 season.

2. Dave Schmidt – P – Rangers – 79 – Dave was a middle reliever/closer who was actually pretty decent. After have a nice season for the Rangers in 1985, he was traded to the White Sox. He didn’t put up as good a season in 1986 but it wasn’t bad, he went 3-6/3.31/1.31 and 8 saves. His tenure with the White Sox ended after the 1986 season when he was released.

3. Ron Cey – 3B – Cubs – 669 – Ron was actually a pretty good hitter and a decent fielder. He is nicknamed the penguin because of his funny walk. He put up over 300 career home runs,and even if his batting average normally hovered around the 0.260 mark, still an intergral part of any team he was on. In 1986 he went 0.273/13/36 in what would be his second to last season.

4. Jody Davis – C – Cubs – 767 – Jody is a perfect example of how tough it is to be a catcher after you turn 30. Something happens to catcher when they turn 30, they really start to nosedive stat wise and usually can’t move as fast behind the plate. In 1986 Jody was 29 and although he had always been known as a 0.250/18/79 guy he hit 0.250/21/74 in what would be his last good season. He went downhill fast after that year.

5. Dan Quisenberry – P – Royals – 50 – The Q! He only played for 12 years and only really a factor in 8 of them, but he left a great legacy. I remember Quis as one of, if not the best closer of his era. Although Sutter was better, Quisenberry had charm. In 1986 he was close to the end of the line as far as effectiveness and went 3-7/2.77/1.43 with 12 saves. He was never really a big saves guy after that year.

6. Jim Wohlford – OF – Expos – 344 – Jim is the definition of mediocre. He played 15 years and never started in any one of them. 1986 was the end of the line for Jim, he was still with the Expos and he went 0.266/1/11 in 94 at at bats spanning 70 games.

7. Kevin Gross – P – Phillies – 764 – OK let’s say it all together “ewww it’s gross”. 1986 was his 4th year in the majors.  He was basically your very average 4th starter.  In 1986 he went 12-12/4.02/1.38, which is basically a good review of what he does on a yearly basis.  He was a big believer in the once mediocre, always mediocre mentality.

8. Steve Braun – 3B/OF – Cardinals – 631 – Steve is my second 15 year vet who was primarily a back up for his entire career. Steve though never did play in 1986 as 1985 was his last season.  In 1985 he went 0.239/1/6 in 67 at bats. A plain end to a plain career.
9. Mario Soto – P – Reds – 725 – Mario came into the league pretty young, but also left it young as well.  He had some great seasons on some pretty bad teams (early 80′s Reds).  The big red machine was gone by then and Mario, by 1986 had his best years behind him.  In 1986 he went 5-10/4.71/1.51 which is one of his worst seasons.  That though was the wheels falling off the wagon season for him.

10. Al Nipper – P – Red Sox – 181 – Nipper had a very short 7 year career, but his peak season was 1986, when he played for the Red Sox on their World Series team.  In 1986 he went 10-12/5.38/1.47, not exactly sparkling numbers but he did get it done when it mattered in the playoffs.

11. Ivan DeJesus – SS – Cardinals – 178 – Another 15 year vet, but unlike the other 2 he at least started for a good chunk of his career. In 1986 he left the Cardinals and signed with the Yankees.  He went 0 for 4 in his only big league at bats for the season.  The biggest thing about DeJesus is that the Phillies gave up Larry Bowa and Ryne Sandberg to get him in 1982. The Phillies got ripped off.

12. Fernando Valenzuela – P – Dodgers  – 630 – ‘Nando mania is here!!! I was a HUGE ‘Nando fan, and who wasn’t the porker who could pitch.  Everyone likes a fat guy who can pitch (David Wells and Sid Fernandez come to mind).  What was not to like his put up solid numbers and he was fun to watch.  In 1986 he went 21-11/3.14/1.14 and came in 2nd in Cy Young voting that year to Mike Scott.

13. Jim Clancy – P – Blue Jays – 412 – Tom’s illegitimate brother (just kidding). Think of him the same way you think of Mario Soto, just a career 0.500 pitcher.  In 1986 he was 14-14/3.94/1.2, the WHIP leads me to believe he was better than his 14-14 record, but had some tough breaks.  Of course when you give up 4 runs a game it’s tough to win most of your games.

14. Randy Hunt – C – Cardinals – 218 – Double, first reviewed in pack 5.

15. Buck Martinez – C – Blue Jays – 518 – Double, first reviewed in pack 10.

So this was a really good pack, and you can bet the farm that tomorrow is going to be a pack of doubles.  It just feels that way.  Overall I am going to give this one a 4.5 star rating, just because of the Nando, John, Soto, Quisenberry and Cey cards. One of the better packs I have gotten.  Today is going to be quite busy from me, so check back tomorrow for some more history and fun reviews.