Bad Wax

I can’t believe I wasn’t able to write a post yesterday. I sat down, opened my bag and nothing, no pack, and no USB key. So we can review pack nine and then pack ten on Saturday. It’s been a quiet week on eBay, I haven’t bought a single card, after averaging about 8 cards a week for nearly 2 months. I’ve been in the maket for a cell phone. My focus has been to try and get one, but I have to unload two of mine. Let me know if you are in the market for a Cingular phone. I have a Nokia E62 and an Audivox SMT 6500, both are smartphones, both come with game used cards if you buy them. So enough of my marketing strategy, let’s get down to business and review pack nine.

1. Whitey Herzog – MGR – Cardinals – 243 – Whitey was once considered one of the best managers in baseball. After looking at his managerial record, he led his teams to a total of 6 1st place finishes, 2 pennants and a World Series. 1987 was another one of those great seasons. The Cardinals won the NL east but lost in the World Series.

2. Lou Whitaker – 2B – Tigers – 661 – Sweet Lou was right in the wheelhouse of his career peak in the mid 80s. In 1987 he got his last trip the an All Star game and his last Silver Slugger. He went 0.265/16/59/13 in what would be the last good season. His fun fact was that he was born in Brooklyn and raised in Martinsville, VA. He and his wife have two children.

3. Bob Boone – C – Angels – 166 – He was past his date of freshness by this point in his career. Just trying to eek out a few more years. A very solid catcher, he wasn’t in the league for 19 seasons after 4 years in college for nothing. This three time All Star and father of two major leaguers (Brett and Aaron) went 0.242/3/33 as a 39 year old catcher. Amazing when you think about it.

4. Dave Parker – OF – Reds – 691 – Dave was another one of those guys past his best years. Even still, he was still cranking out homers and RBIs at an amazing rate. In 1987 he went 0.253/26/97, not one of his brightest seasons, but not one of his worst either. I read his stats and can’t help to think that this guy might deserve some love by the Hall of Fame. Maybe not the writers but what about the Veteran’s Committee? I mean if Ozzie Smith or Orlando Cepeda can get in why can’t he?

5. Ron Shepherd – OF – Blue Jays – 643 – A career backup that got a couple of cups in the bigs. His last cup,was in 1986 though, when he went 0.203/2/4 in 69 at bats. His fun fact was that his hobbies include all sports (even hockey?) and movies.

6. Andy Allanson – C – Indians – 436 – Andy was a Topps All Rookie team member (see the cup!) All I know is that there must have been some really awful catchers that year. In 1986 he went 0.225/1/29/10 and I guess that makes you the best rookie catcher of 1986? Let’s see how he did to follow that season up . . . 0.266/3/16, in only 50 games. I’m going to rate this one as a bust! Not only did he not improve, I think he got worse, he didn’t even become the starter. His fun fact was that he was an All American at Univ. of Richmond.

7. Mike Diaz – OF/C – Pirates – 469 – Another rookie card . . BooYa! This was Mike’s second season in the bigs. His first year wasn’t so bad, he went 0.268/12/36 in 1986, so one could expect him to improve in 1987. Well kind of, he went 0.241/16/48, with more at bats and more games played. His fun fact was that he derives enjoyment from going wind-surfing. I derive enjoyment from seeing derive on the card.

8. Mike Brown – OF – Pirates – 341 – Who? I didn’t remember a Mike Brown in the Pirates outfield in 1987, and I’m right, that year Mike spent the season down in AAA. In 1986 he went 0.218/4/26 and with Bonds, Van Slyke and Reynolds, starting they didn’t really need Brown. His fun fact is that he played baseball and football in high school and went to San Jose St. University.

9. Mark Langston – P – Mariners – 215 – Mark was coming off rough seasons in 1985 and 1986, so I take great pleasure in telling you he rebounded big in 1987. He went 19-13/3.84/1.31, was 5th in Cy Young voting and earned an All Star trip. His fun fact was that he was all state in both baseball and soccer in high school, and that he and his wife have one daughter.

10. Karl Best – P – Mariners – 439 – I met Karl and he signed a baseball for me at a Mariners game, so it’s hard for me to be so negative when he was such a nice guy. He didn’t play in 1987, like Mike Brown he spent it in AAA. He had a rough year in 1986 and in 1987 and 1988 he was traded to the Tigers, then the Twins, to finally the Giants. Rough road for him.

11. Scott Fletcher – SS – Rangers – 462 – In 1987 he was still with the Rangers and prectically duplicated his season from 1986. He ended up with a statline of 0.287/5/63/13. His fun fact was that his dad, Richard, once pitched in the minors.

12. Bob Stanley – P – Red Sox – 175 – Bob was definitely on the back side of his career in 1987. He eneded up with a horrible 4-15/5.01/1.57 season. His nickname was Stanley Steamer, the only thing he made steam in 1987 was his manager. His fun fact was that he was All State as a pitcher and short stop in high school. Also he had a perfect game in the NJ Championship Tourney.

13. Bob Ojeda – P – Mets – 746 – Bob spent most of 1987 on the DL. He had a marvelous season in 1986 but 1987 was completely different. He went 3-5/3.88/1.19, the record not imposing but the ERA and WHIP tell a different story. One of a very effective pitcher, who had some bad luck. Bob enjoys camping trips in his leisure time.

14. Greg Minton – P – Giants – 724 – After spending his entire career in San Francisco, midway through the season he was released from the Giants and picked up by the Angels. His overall stats from 1987 were 6-4/3.17/1.41 in 56 relief appearances. Greg finds pleasure in going horseback riding. I find pleasure in laughing about that.

15. Joaqiun Andujar – P – A’s – 775 – Joaquin had back to back 20 wins seasons before being shipped off to Oakland. In 1986 he did well going 12-7 and in 1987 he had some injury trouble and ended up going 3-5/6.08/1.47. His fun fact is strange, “Joaquin;s #47 is blended in Design of his home”, what does that mean?

16. Steve Balboni – 1B – Royals – 240 – Steve’s career was winding down quickly at this point. He could still hit homers, but his average took a beating. He went 0.207/24/60. His boring fact is that he and his wife have one son.

17. Mike Aldrete – 1B/OF – Giants – 71 – Proving that it’s never good to be a slash player, Mike went 0.325/9/51/6 in just his second season. Not too shabby at all and deserved more playing time next season because of those numbers. His fun fact was that he was a graduate of Stanford University.

This pack was nothing special.  Sure we had a few minor stars in the likes of Dave Parker and Mark Langston, but overall, I was disappointed.  I thought that maybe a picture of Steve Balboni might cheer me up and give this pack a desent grade, but it didn’t.  Instead I have to give this one a 1 star rating.  I have been kicking around the idea of merging my two sites and keeping them under the badwax.net address.  I am starting to get burned out writing for 2 daily blogs.  Let me know what you guys think.