When we were last with our Topps hero, he was stuck at 131 cards, getting a grand total of 2 non doubles in 3 packs (43 doubles). Today he has pushed all that behind him as he continues his quest to get under the 100 card remaining level (even though it can’t be done). Our hero was also busy helping wife, getting haircut, continuing his search for the perfect mower, doing some weekend work at work, now finally he can settle down for a few minutes and crank out this piece. Let’s bid an almost fond farewell to 1986 with pack number 71.
1. Alejandro Pena – P – Dodgers – 665 – Alejandro was doing quite well as a starter until he blew his arm out in 1985 and came back in 1986 as a spot starter. The spot part didn’t work out too well, so he turned into a middle reliever, which worked a lot better. In 1986 he went 1-2/4.89/1.49, not solid, but enough to get another look next year.
2. Indians Leaders – 336 – The Dean of the Indians was Andre Thompson. The offensive leaders were Brett Butler and Julio Franco. The pitching leaders were Bert Blyleven and Neal Heaton.
3. Mark Clear – P – Red Sox – 349 -Mark pitched the entire decade of the 80s. But by 1986 he was already 31 and starting his down turn stat wise. In 1986 he was a middle reliever with Milwaukee and went 5-5/2.20/1.21. Definitely turning some heads and moving himself up to set-up man for 1987.
4. Mark Davis – P – Giants – 138 – As most great closers do, Mark putted around Philadelphia and SF as a starter before being converted to a closer. In 1985 that all started to change as he became one of the best middle relievers in the game. Then in 1986 he continued down that road as he went 5-7/2.99/1.15 with 4 saves in over 80 games. He would put up a record a few years later, but we have 2 more years before that happens.
5. Jeff Lahti – P – Cardinals – 33- Jef would have a pretty brief career as a pitcher and in fact 1986 would be his last year in the majors and it was not a remarkable one. In 1986 he pitched in 4 games, had an ERA of 0.00 but a WHIP of 1.71. So long Jeff and thanks for all the memor . . . oh wait there are none. Oh well so long Jeff.
6. Darren Daulton – C – Phillies – 264 – He is such a young Dutch. Look how puny his arms are. Wow that all changed later in his career. This was not Darren’s rookie card, but 1985/86 was definitely the start of his career. In 1986 he only had 138 at bats and went 0.225/8/21. Not huge numbers, but good enough to become the star he ended up being.
7. Jim Gott – P – Giants – 463 – The only thin Jim got in 1986 was nine lousy games. He was still wit the Giants and went 0-0/7.62/2.23. What’s amazing is that Jim didn’t got canned from that performance. I mean as a GM or coach would he be high on your wishlist to bring back after that stinker?
8. Larry McWilliams – P – Pirates – 425 – Hey Larry what the heck is wrong with your leg. Growing up I was a pitcher and I have no idea what a person would have to do to move his or her leg like that. That is one funky motion. In 1986 Larry did a bit of spot starting and ended up going 3-11/5.15/1.46. Not the best pitcher in the world, but you get to hang on a little longer if your a lefty and I suspect Larry fell right into that catagory.
9. Jim Winn – P – Pirates – 489 -I can tell you right now, that one thing Jim did very little of in his career is win. Over the course of his illustrious 6 year career, Jim won a grand total of 12 times. You would fingure with a name like that he might be able to win a few more. I definitely thing the guys laid it on thick in the lockeroom that Jim can’t Winn games. In 1986 for example he went 3-5/3.58/1.398 and that was his second best year.
10. Tom Niedenfuer – P – Dodgers – 56 – Look at that glove, my god, you could fit Tom’s head in there. What in the world did anyone need a glove that big for? Tom was actually a pretty good pitcher. He was a closer and in 1986 he went 6-6/3.71/1.44 and saved 11 games. I still can’t get ove rthe size of that glove though.
11. Carney Lansford – 3B – A’s – 134 – Double, previously reviewed in pack 20.
12. Lloyd Moseby – OF – Blue Jays – 360 – Double, previously reviewed in pack 22.
13. Andre Robertson – SS – 3B – Yankees – 738 – Double, previously reviewed in pack 3.
14. Brett Butler – OF – Indians – 149 – Double, previously reviewed in pack 20.
15. Jerry Narron – C/1B – Angels – 543 – Double, previously reviewed in pack 41.
Overall I am blown away. 10 new cards and many of them of halfway decent players. I am going to rate this one 3.5 stars mainly because I got 10 new cards and the last 3 packs were so awful. I know I originally promised that I would try and do 2 packs today, but it just looks like I am going to run out of time. Oh well, we will wrap it all up tomorrow.
