Operation Topps – 1987 Topps (Pack 10)

Well yesterday was my one day a week off, so I’m back today and in good spirits. This has been one heck of a box. So far I’ve only got eight doubles, and over 150 cards and we are only through the first nine packs. So I think I have decided to merge the two sites and keep them under the badwax.net website. I think it will just be easier. So to anyone who has them both listed on their websites, shift it back to badwax.net. I’m not sure how I am going to organize the content, but it should be fun. I’ll keep the other site up for a while, since a lot of people do love it. But all new content will be on the badwax site. Let’s get to pack number ten.

1. Vince Coleman – OF – Cardinals – 590 – It’s firecracker guy himself. I really did like Vince a lot growing up. I always loved guys who could steal bases and Vince was one of the best if not the best for a short period of time. In 1985 he stole 110 in 1986 he stole 107 and in 1987 he went 0.289/3/43/109 and finished twelfth in MVP voting. His fun fact was that in 1982 he attended Redskins mini-camp.

2. Ed Romero – SS/2B – Red Sox – 675 – Ed was a backup his entire career. 1987 was his second year in Boston and he went 0.272/0/14 for the season. He doesn’t have a a fun fact. So let’s end the brutality now.

3. George Hendrick – OF – Angels – 725 – By 1987 George had been in the league for 16 seasons. A very solid hitter whose career average was 0.278/21/88. However, by 1987 he was way past his prime and was regulated into backup role. In 1987 he went 0.241/5/25 in just 162 at bats. George has no fun fact either.

4. Steve Buechele – 3B – Rangers – 176 – This was pretty early on in Steve’s career, actually it was his second year. In 1986 he went 0.243/18/54 and the Rangers were expecting another big year out of him. In 1987 he went 0.237/13/50 so it was a bit of a regression, but it did set the tone of what was to come from him. His fun fact was that he relaxes by listening to country music. I don’t see hope that’s relaxing, it’s more like depressing.

5. Denny Martinez – P – Expos – 252 – After years of starting for the Orioles, he spent 1986 with the Expos and changed his career around. In 1987 El Presidente went 11-4/3.30/1.20 and established himself as one of the best pitchers in the National League. His fun fact was that he and his wife have 3 children.

6. Ed Wojna – P – Padres – 88 – This was Wojna’s rookie card., but heres the thing, he wasn’t in the major leagues a long time. In fact he was only in there for 36 total games in his career. In 1987 he went 0-3/5.89/1.69 in what would be his last year with the Padres and his second to last year in the bigs. His fun fact was that he aquired experience as a draftsman. Can anyone tell me what a draftsman is?

7. Kal Daniels – OF – Reds – 466 – This was Kal’s rookie card and one of three Reds rookies that were got to have cards in 1987 (can you name the other two?) Of the three, I would have figured him to be the best, but it didn’t turn out that way. In 1987 he went 0.334/26/64/26 in what was a fantastic season for him. His fun fact was that he went 0.500 in High School, he other fun fact was that his real name was Kalvoski.

8. Ed Vande Berg – P – Dodgers – 717 – This was Ed’s second to last season in the majors. Definitely not one of his better seasons as he was with Cleveland and went 1-0/5.10/1.62 in 55 games. His fun fact was that he graduated from Redlands High School and that he and his wife have 2 children. Hey at least his hobbies weren’t movies and music.

9. Jim Traber – OF/1B – Orioles – 484 – Jim was another short timer. He played in four seasons and only had 819 at bats. In 1987 he was still with the Orioles but was in AAA the entire season. His fun fact was that he is an accomplished professional singer and on the night he made his professional debut, he sang the National Anthem at Memorial Stadium.

10. Dwight Evans – OF – Red Sox – 645 – This was pretty late in Dewey’s career, but even at 35 , he was still a force in the AL. In 1987 he went 0.305/34/123 finished fourth in the MVP voting and made an All Star appearance and won a Silver Slugger award. What a year for someone out of the prime bell curve! His fun fact was that he and his wife have two sons and a daughter.

11. Chico Walker – OF/2B – Cubs – 695 – Chico was a seldom used utility guy. In his 13 year career he only amassed 1217 at bats, which is less than 100 per season. In 1987 he got 105 at bats and went 0.200/0/7/11. Nothing special from him and his fun fact was that he was an All Star Little League shortstop, can you think of anything more worthless to write on the back of the card.

12. Chris Bando – C – Indians – 322 – This was Sal Bando’s little brother, what is cool is that Sal’s career ended in 1981 and Chris’s began that year. In 1987 he 0.218/5/16 in just over 200 at bats. His fun fact was that he and his wife have one son (Ben).

13. Damasco Garcia – 2B – Blue Jays- 395 – He was our surprise All Star last year. The thing is that it wasn’t a matter of he was the only Blue Jay worth putting on the team, because they had Barfield, Moseby, and Bell as hitters and Eichhorn as a pitcher. Very strange that he made it. In 1987 he wasn’t even in the majors. Either he was injured or got sent down. Looks like he got send down. 1986 wasn’t a bad year for him a she went 0.281/6/46/9. His fun fact was that he was a soccer star in high school and quite baseball at 13. He came back to baseball when he was 18 and never looked back.

14. Tony Gwynn – OF – Padres – 530 – It’s an awful picture of him, with his butt to the camera. Take note Mario, no butt shots. In 1987 Tony continued his hitting dominance as he went 0.370/7/54/56, which put him eighth in MVP voting got an All Star appearance and also a Silver Slugger. His fun fact was that he played basketball at San Diego State and was chosen in the NBA draft by the San Diego Clippers.

15. Carmelo Martinez – OF – Padres – 348 – 1987 was one of Carmelo’s better seasons. He was starting alongside Gwynn in the outfield and went 0.273/15/70. His career got slightly derailed in 1986 but with the numbers he put up in 1987 he made up for it. His fun fact was that he plays winter ball in Puerto Rico and he and his wife have a daughter.

16. Chris Chambliss – 1B – Braves – 777 – So Chris gets the lucky number this year! By 1987 he was pretty much done with baseball. He took a year off and actually tried to come back in 1988 with very little luck. So let’s just say he really retired in 1986 and leave it like that. There is no fun fact for Chris.

17. Nate Snell – P – Orioles – 86 – Nate was a 31 year old rookie, but at least he made it. in 1987 , he pitched his last season in the bigs, as he went 1-2/3.96/1.50 in 22 games. Nothing special at all and nothing to bring him back for either. His fun fact was that his hobbies are horseback riding and tennis.

Overall we have ourselves a pretty good pack. There was one Hall of Famer (Gwynn) and a couple of very solid players in Dewey, Martinez, Coleman and Daniels. So just for those guys I am going to give this one 3 stars and I think it earned it. So once again, starting tomorrow I am switching the Bad Hits site information to Bad Wax. I hope you will all enjoy the new look.