So no vintage games out there? I still have to go through my old boxes and see if I have this gem of a game (FPS All Pro Football ’98). Well we are past the 25% mark and moving right along. Who would have thought after the mess that was my first box of 1986 Topps, I would only be looking at a 7% double rate? I still think that I will end up at the same 30% rate by the time it’s all said and done, but for now, I’ll cross my fingers and hope for the best. I’m still on the prowl for a few of the bigger names in this set. One being Bonds, but also Bo Jackson, and Barry Larkin. None so far, let’s break open pack 15 and see what we cna find.
1. Ted Simmons – C/1B – Braves – 516 – After years with the Cardinals and Brewers, Ted moved to Atlanta in 1986 and his at bats fell dramatically. He went from 500+ at bats down to under 200. In 1987 he continued this negative trend in at bats and went 0.277/4/30 in just 177 at bats. You can clearly see that at this point in his career, he is only a backup, and he only goes on like this for one more season.
2. Bryan Clutterbuck – P – Brewers – 562 – Bryan deffinitely had one of the more unique last names in baseball history. He was actaully sent to the minors in 1987, The reason for his card was the 20 games he pitched in 1986. He doesn’t resurface again in the majors until 1989. His fun fact was hat off the field, he enjoys raquetball and basketball.
3. Mark Thurmond – P – Tigers – 361 – Mark was one of those anonymous middle relievers, that I love reviewing. In 1987 he was still with the Tigers and went 0-1/4.23/1.74 with 5 saves in what was a typical year for Mark. His fun fact was that he earned a BA in Finance from Texas A&M.
4. Andy Van Slyke – OF – Cardinals – 33 – In 1987 Andy was traded to the Pirates, in a deal that sent Tony Pena to the Cardinals. In 1985 and 86 he showed some potential to become a star in this league, plus he was turning 26 which is always a great growth year. In 1987 he went 0.293/21/82/34 and was a majore reason as to the Pirates resurgance in the late 80s. His fun fact was that he was selected to play in the NY state Empire Games as a high school basketball star.
5. Lance McCullers – P – Padres – 559 – Lance’s first two seasons in the majors were pretty impressive. Maybe not by record but certainly his ERA and WHIP. He was a middle reliever, but definitely one of the better ones in the league at the time. In 1987 he went 8-10/3.72/1.41, which compared to his 86 and 85 seasons was pretty bad, but overall not a horrible season for such a bad team. No fun fact for Lance.
6. Clint Hurdle – C/OF – Cardinals – 317 – Clint was a prime example of why you shouldn’t rush prospects. The Royals brought him up in 1979 as a 19 year old, only a year and a half experience in the majors. He never really got settled in as a hitter and quickly fell out of consideration by the Royals. He ended up becoming a backup and by 1987 he was 29 and playing in his last pro season. He was with the Mets and in three at bats, had one hit, thats it. His fun fact was that he was selected as co-captain of All-State Footabll Team as a high school quarterback.
7. John Russell – C – Phillies – 379 – John was a career minor leaguer/backup and in 1987 he was still with the Phillies. He went 0.145/3/8 in only 62 at bats. His fun fact was that in 1981, he was a member of the All-American Team (I am assuming baseball, but it’s not said).
8. Steve Garvey – 1B – Padres – This was Steve’s final season in the majors. He was part of the collusion case against MLB that in effect forced him to retire. He didn’t play much in 1987, in fact he was hurt most of the year, but he did end up going 0.211/1/9 in 72 at bats. What an awful way to end what was a pretty good career. No fun fact for Steve.
9. Bill Schroeder – C – Brewers – 302 – Bill was a backup catcher for the Brewers in 1987 but had himself a pretty good year. He went 0.332/14/42 in part time work. Not too bad for your backup catcher huh? His fun fact was that he was in Brewers Community Relations, and that he has a daughter.
10. Pete Ladd – P – Mariners – 572 – Double, first reviewed in pack 11.
11. Buddy Bell – 3B – Reds – 545 – Double, first reviewed in pack 11.
12. Red Sox Leaders – 306 – Double, first reviewed in pack 11.
13. Bobby Bonilla – OF/1B – Pirates – 184 – Double, first reviewed in pack 11.
14. Jim Deshaies – P – Astros – 167 – Double, first reviewed in pack 11.
15. Jim Rice All Star – 610 – Double, first reviewed in pack 11.
16. Dennis Eckersely – P – Cubs – 459 – Double, first reviewed in pack 11.
17. Chris Bosio – P – Brewers – 448 – Double, first reviewed in pack 6.
All in all not a bad pack. At least the doubles were decent. I am not thrilled about another half pack of doubles, but what are you going to do, we have been playing with the proverbial house money for days now, so it was bound to happen. Overall I am going to give this pack a 2.5 star rating, it was your average pack. Again, anyone who has that football game I mentioned earlier, please let me know I need it. Taking tomorrow off, so check back on Saturday!
