Operation Topps – 1987 Topps (Pack 8)

Well it took seven packs but, we were finally bitten by the doubles bug. The seeding is just like the 1986 Topps box. There are quite a few cards I am waiting to see. So far only one future stars card and no Topps All Star Rookie cards. Hopefully in the next few packs we might see some of those cards. So my wife is gone away on business, and I am on puppy duty for the next 96 hours. That sucks, but I’ll somehow get through it. Since work has been crazy lately, I have gotten to writing these posts at night when it’s a little more calm. The bully sticks I give the puppy give me about 15 minute windows to bang out these posts. Let’s open pack number eight.

1. Wally Joyner – 1B – Angels – 80 – There you go our first Topps All Star Rookie card. Actually Wally was one of my favorite guys of this era. Because of McGwire and Canseco, he never really got his due. In 1986, his rookie year, he went 0.290/22/100, so big things were expected from him in 1987. He didn’t disappoint, when he put up 0.285/34/117 and finished 13th in MVP voting. Fun fact – He attended BYU and has two daughters.

2. Marvell Wynne – OF – Padres – 37 – This was Marvell’s fifth season, he was a starter, but had to accept a part time role because he just couldn’t put up the numbers that were required to keep him as a starter. In 1987 he went 0.250/2/24 in 188 at bats. His fun fact was that he was signed by the Royals after the tryout camp and he enjoys Eddie Murphy.

3. Jose Oquendo – SS/2B – Cardinals – 133 – Really nothing more than a backup defensive guy. He never put up anything significant as far as stats. In 1987 he went 0.286/1/24, not mind blowing, but enough to keep him employed. His fun fact was that he played winter ball in Puerto Rico, and was a neighbor of Ivan DeJesus.

4. Larry Sheets – DH/OF – Orioles – 552 – Larry was a pretty good offensive hitter. The problem was he peaked and sloped down very quickly. 1987 was the peak of his offensive prowess when he went 0.316/31/94, which was easily the best season of his career. The next year he starts his quick regression down hill. No fun fact for Larry.

5. Brett Butler – OF – Indians – 723 – In 1987 Brett hit 30 years old and even though a lot of players start regressing at that point in their careers, Brett did not. He went 0.295/9/41/33 in 1987 which was just about his average. Amazingly his best years are yet to come. His fun fact was that in 1978 South Korea World Tourney.

6. Al Nipper – P – Red Sox – 617 – 1987 would be the last year of Al in Boston. Even though the Sox won the pennant in 1986 Al was not a major reason they got there. After a rough 1986 he put up 11-12/5.43/1.48 in 1987 which was just as bad. He would find himself on a new team in 1988. His fun fact is that he led his Legion team to titles in 1976 and 77. He attended NE Missouri St. U.

7. Zane Smith – P – Braves – 544 – Zane had a brutal year in 1986 when he went 8-16. The Braves were not sure what to expect of him in 1987. But at 26 he did a turn around and rewarded the Braves for their patience. he went 15-10/4.09/1.39. Thus redeeming himself as a starter! Hey guess what Zane enjoys listening to hard-rock music! I know it’s strange for a 26 yo to enjoy that in the late 80s.

8. Stan Javier – OF – A’s – 263 – Stan was one of those guys that I thought was going to do fairly well as a pro. Of course looking back at his minor league stats, I should have figured out that he would be a backup guy. In 1987 he went 0.185/2/9, it was still very early on in his career. His father, Julian played in the majors from 1960 to 1972.

9. Jeff Reardon – P – Expos – 165 – Did you know that both Jeff and Tom Henke were named Terminator? Jeff was in the prime of his career in 1987 and he moved over to the American League with the Twins. He went 8-8/4.60/1.22/31 saves. He was 8th in Cy Young and 11th in MVP voting. What a go getter, tearing it up in two leagues.

10. Dave Johnson – MGR – Mets – 453 – How do you follow up a season like Davey had in 1986? I guess you end up going 92-70 and finishing 2nd in the NL East. His team a year older and a year slower, just didn’t have enough to do the job.

11. LaMarr Hoyt – P – Padres – 275 – LaMarr actually retired after the 1986 season. He was a marginal pitcher and in 1986 he went 8-11/5.15/1.50. His fun fact was that his dad, Dewey, pitched in the minors.

12. Jim Fergosi – MGR – White Sox – 318 – Jim was in his 2nd year as the head coach of the Sox and didn’t fare too well, he guided his team to a 5th place finish with a record of 77-85. He’ll have one more year with them before they finally give up.

13. Gary Ward – OF – Rangers – 762 – He had a nice season in 1986 and the Rangers wanted him to squeeze out one more before his slide.0.248/16/78 in what would be his last productive season. Gary was actually a pretty popular player so the Rangers kept him on a bit longer than they wanted to but you have to keep the fans happy right? At least thats how it was back then.

14. Jeffrey Leonard – OF – Giants – 280 – Jeff had a few good season in the early 80s, then in 1986 tailed off for a year. Well he picked right back up in 1987 with a trip to the All Star game. He went 0.280/19/63/16 in a year that saw his rookie cards gain momentum. Remember those cards? His fun fact is that he relaxes by playing the drums.

15. Frank WIlliams – P – Giants – 96 – This looks like it was the same photo session as the 1986 card. Which wouldn’t be something new for Topps. In 1987 Frank went 4-0/2.30/1.23 in 85 games, easily his best season as a pro and a season that he would never end up duplicating . It says that he is employed as a construction worker and has one son (Tyler). I guess he can always fall back on that construction thing right?

16. Earnie Whitt – C – Blue Jays -698 – As solid a catcher as the Blue Jays ever had. They never really found anyone to duplicate his numbers ever since he retired. In 1987 he put up another solid season going 0.269/19/75, in what would be another average year for him. He and his wife have three children 2 boys and a girl.

17. Brian Fisher – P – Yankees – 316 – 1987 would be Brian’s first year as a starter and he faired pretty well. He went 11-9/4.52/1.387, of course it wasn’t with the Yankees, it took the vision of the Pirates to pull that out of him. He was part of the Doug Drabek deal. No fun fact for Brian.

Overall the pack didn’t have much power behind it. Other than a fairly old Jeff Leonard, Ernie Whitt, and Brett Butler, we did have the Joyner which was nice. But just not enough. I am going to rate this one 1.5 stars, just like the last pack. It was refreshing to get another non double pack. I hope I see many more of those! See you again tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed this one.