Bad Wax

This review will be extremely short.  I am going through the packs now before I review them to separate the doubles from the singles.  Unfortunately, this one only has one card I need for the set.  So it’s one review and 16 links to previous reviews.  I didn’t get a chance to scan the card, mainly because I didn’t think his career merited it.  Anyways, I may not get a chance to post tomorrow and I don’t know just how busy I will be here today, so I want to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July weekend.  If you live in proximity to real fireworks, be ultra safe.  Now on to the one card review . . .

1. Mark Gubicza

Position: P

Team: Royals

Card Number: 326

Age: 24

1987 Stats: 13-18/3.98/1.45

Awards: None

Player Notes: Although he was one of my favorite pitchers growing up, I know he was not an ace.  He was on a pretty solid staff in 1987, with the likes of Saberhagen, Liebrandt, Bud Black, not to mention the Quis in relief.  I would say overall not a bad pitcher, but nothing more than a 0.500 guy.

Fun Facts: Mark’s father, Anthony, pitched in the White Sox chain.  He lists his hobbies as music, actually the card says his hobby is being music, but i think it’s a typo, it’s not like someone wants to be a note.

2. Dann Bilardello - Previously reviewed in pack 33.

3. John Tudor - Previously reviewed in pack 33.

4. Chris Codiroli - Previously reviewed in pack 33.

5. Roger McDowell - Previously reviewed in pack 31.

6. Ken Dixon -Previously reviewed in pack 31.

7. Curt Wilkerson -Previously reviewed in pack 31.

8. Dale Murphy -Previously reviewed in pack 31.

9. LaMarr Hoyt - Previously reviewed in pack 8.

10. Mike Aldrete - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

11. Joaquin Andujar - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

12. Greg Minton - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

13. Andy Alanson - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

14. Mark Langston - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

15. Dave Parker - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

16. Lou Whitaker - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

17. Bob Ojeda - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

This is a great display of how Topps in 1987 loved to put certain cards in runs.  The only card that didn’t fit in a run was the LaMarr Hoyt card.  The only saving grace of this sad pack is the Dale Murphy card, but still it’s almost a decade into his career at that point.  So I am going to give this pack the dreaded 0.5 star rating. Just because it just didn’t bring anything to the table.  This went a lot faster than I expected, look for another post at somepoint today.

The first box is done and the final tally was 544 non doubles. Meaning there was 248 cards not gotten and a double rate of right around 11%. No bad at all! My only notes that I have about the last box was that there wasn’t a Bonds or Bo rookie card. I’ve bought so many boxes of this product when I was younger and I have 13 Bonds rookies. I know that as far as the production runs go there should be a Bonds or Jackson in about every box. We are talking about 100,000 cards + per player. They don’t call this the worthless era for nothing folks. So again, I was pretty surprised that I didn;t get one of the two. Other than that I really can’t complain about that first box, there was a point where I opened like 15 straight packs without a double. Now on to pack 37.

1. Jim Deschaies - Record Breaker

Position: P

Team: Astros

Card Number: 2

Age: 27

Record Broken: Most consecutive strikeouts to start a game (8). This was actually the second record broken that year with respect to this catagory as Joe Cowley struck out 7 at the end of May to originally set it.

2. Giants Leaders

Offensive Leaders: Robby Thompson, Candy Maldonado

Pitching Leaders: Mike Krukow and Mark Davis

Card Number: 231

3. Brian Dayett - Final Year

Position: OF

Team: Cubs

Card Number: 369

Age: 30

1987 Stats: 0.277/5/25

Awards: None

Player Notes: Just never really became the OF they envisioned when they drafted him. He had a semi decent season in 1987 but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the pros.

Fun Facts: He was selected as the Southern League’s MVP at Nashville in 1982 and was named to the All Star team.

4. Tony Gwynn - NL All Star

Position: OF

Team: Padres

Card Number: 599

Age: 27

Stat on the back of his card: Batting Average, which believe it or not he was 3rd behind Galaraga and Steve Sax. In 1986 he broke an NL record with5 stolen bases in one game.

5. Barry Bonds

Position: OF

Team: Pirates

Card Number: 320

Age: 22

1987 Stats: 0.261/25/59/32

Awards: None

Player Notes: Hard to believe at just 22 years old he was a 20/20 guy. People tend to forget how fast he was when he hadn’t swelled up with ‘roids. Nice to find the premier card in the set in the first pack!

Fun Facts: He majored in Criminal Justice at ASU. His father Bobby played in the majors from 1968-1981.

6. Carney Lansford

Position: 3B

Team: A’s

Card Number: 678

Age: 30

1987 Stats: 0.289/19/76/27

Awards: None

Player Notes: I never understand why this guy didn’t get more recognition. He was a solid player for more than a decade. I always had him on my fantasy team and he never disappointed.

Fun Facts: He is a direct descendant of Sir Francis Drake, the 16th century British admiral.

7. Darnell Coles

Position: 3B

Team: Tigers (traded to the Pirates mid season)

Card Number: 411

Age: 25

1987 Stats: 0.201/10/35

Awards: None

Player Notes: Coles was never really a starter on any team he played on (which was quite a few). He was a solid backup though and I guess that’s why he hung around the league for 14 seasons (yep you read that right!)

Fun Facts: He was a 4 sport letterman and 3 time baseball MVP in high school.

8. Storm Davis

Position: P

Team: Orioles (started the season with the Padres and was traded mid season to the A’s)

Card Number: 349

Age: 25

1987 Stats: 3-8/5.23/1.56 ouch and he made it another decade in this league?

Awards: None

Player Notes: He pitched pretty well for the A’s, unfortunately for him it’s the only place in his 13 year career where he pitched well.

Fun Facts: His nickname came from a character in a book his mother read while pregnant.

9. Scott Bradley

Position: C/OF

Team: Mariners

Card Number: 376

Age: 27

1987 Stats: 0.278/5/43

Awards: None

Player Notes: Scott was a brief starter in his career but mostly known for his back up duties in Seattle. Not really an any tool player to be honest.

Fun Facts: He played for the USA National Team. His brother Bob is a soccer coach at Princeton University.

10. Rick Aguilera - 103 - Double found in pack 3.

11. Luis Quinones - 362- Double found in pack 3.

12. Mike Easler - 135- Double found in pack 3.

13. Jim Leyland - 93- Double found in pack 3.

14. Vance Law - 127- Double found in pack 3.

15. Dennis Leonard - 38- Double found in pack 3.

16. Marvell Wynne - 37- Double found in pack 8.

17.Willie Upshaw - 245- Double found in pack 3.

I got the Bonds card right off the bad in the first pack. Also picked up 9 more cards for the set, so that’s not to shabby either. The other players in the pack were mostly stiffs (except Gwynn and Lansford). But that Bonds elevates the pack to 5.0 star status. Even with the steroids, how can I give it any other rating. Don’t forget about the logo and banner contest. Only two entries so far (no banner entries)! Email me your entries at chemgod1000@yahoo.com.

We have finally reached the last pack in the box. When it’s all said and done, this box will leave us about 250 cards short of the 792. No bad at all! Are far as the seeding goes, it still looks like certain cards are in series, as pack 35 illustraded by having 9 cards being doubles of one pack. I was kicking around ideas for my next year (1988 ) and since there is already a 1988 topps blog, maybe I’ll go with 1988 Donruss or Fleer (there is also a 1988 score blog). That’s all still up in the air right now. I’m curious though as to what you think I should do, 88 Fleer, 88 Donruss, or 88 Topps by team? Anyways, on to pack 36.

1. Don Carmen

Position: P

Team: Phillies

Card Number: 355

Age: 26

1987 Stats: 13-11/4.22/1.25

Awards: None

Player Notes: A decent pitcher, he should have been hitting his peak at this point in his career. This would be the most wins he ever had in a season. He didn’t have overpowing stuff, but held his own on some bad Phillies teams.

Fun Facts: He led his high school to the Oklahoma state title. His hobbies include sketching and he and his wife have one son.

2. Scott Sanderson

Position: P

Team: Cubs

Card Number: 534

Age: 30

1987 Stats: 8-9/4.29/1.42

Awards: None

Player Notes: For years Sanderson was a solid pitcher, sure he wasn’t electric, but you could count on him for 9 wins, a sub 4.00 ERA and a WHIP around 1.18. Not too shabby for a guy many of you never heard of.

Fun Facts: None

3. Darrell Evans

Position: DH/1B

Team: Tigers

Card Number: 265

Age: 40

1987 Stats: 0.257/34/99

Awards: 12th in MVP voting

Player Notes: It was feast or famine for Darrell throughout his career. The average always homered in the 0.250-0.255 region, but he could hit 40+ homers in a season as easily as 20. He was still bringing it at 40 though (34 homers!)

Fun Facts: None

4. Cardinals Leaders

Batting Leaders: Vince Coleman, Tommy Herr, and Andy Van Slyke

Pitching Leaders: Todd Worrell and Bob Forsch

5. Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd

Position: P

Team: Red Sox

Card Number: 285

Age: 27

1987 Stats: 1-3/5.89/1.53

Awards: None

Player Notes: He was shut down very early in the season because of blood clots. He was never able to fully recover from them and in the end it made him retire from the MLB.

Fun Facts: He attended Jackson State university

6. Dickie Thon

Position: SS

Team: Astros

Card Number: 386

Age: 29

1987 Stats: 0.212/1/3

Awards: None

Player Notes: I know what you are thinking, scrub. But really he was just unlucky. He was 7th in MVP voting in 1983 but during the 1984 season he was hit in the eye by a pitch and played sparingly over the next 5 years until he landed in Philly. Makes you wonder what kind of career he would have had if hit didn’t take on in the eye.

Fun Facts: None

7. Kirby Puckett

Position: OF

Team: Twins

Card Number: 450

Age: 27

1987 Stats: 0.332/28/99/12

Awards: 3rd in MVP voting, 2nd Silver Slugger, 2nd All Star appearance

Player Notes: By far and away one of my favorite baseball players growing up. A truly nice guy (at least while he was a player). This was probably one of his best seasons.

Fun Facts: He batted leadoff in the 1986 All Star Game.

8. John Moses

Position: OF

Team: Mariners

Card Number: 284

Age: 29

1987 Stats: 0.246/3/38/23

Awards: None

Player Notes: A pretty quick guy, this was his second season as a starter, I can’t help but think that if he was on almost any other team, he would have been a backup.

Fun Facts: He lettered in baseball and basketball in high school. He enjoys water skiing and bowling.

9. Tim Wallach

Position: 3B

Team: Expos

Card Number: 55

Age: 29

1987 Stats: 0.298/26/123

Awards: 4th in MVP voting, 2nd Silver Slugger, and 3rd All Star appearance.

Player Notes: This was really his hey day. It was easily his best season in the majors. Made me a fan of his because of this season.

Fun Facts: He enjoys playing raquetball and golf.

10. Ron Romanick - Retired

Position: P

Team: Angels

Card Number: 136

Age: 26

1987 Stats: None

Awards: None

Player Notes: He palyed in 3 seasons, in 1986 he went 5-8/5.50/1.58 before his demotion to Edmonton. He never made it back to the pros.

Fun Facts: He once appeared on a TV soap opera.

11. Keith Hernandez - NL All Star Card

Position: 1B

Team: Mets

Card Number: 595

All Star Appearances: 5 total (this was his fifth)

Stat on the back: Runs - he was 6th with 94.

12. Bill Wegman

Position: P

Team: Brewerrs

Card Number: 179

Age: 24

1987 Stats: 12-11/4.24/1.25

Awards: None

Player Notes: Not a bad pitcher although no on remembers him. He won 10 or more games 4 times in his career. He’s a career 4.50 ERA pitcher so put him as just your average 4th or 5th starter.

Fun Facts: He and his wife have one child.

13. Ron Cey - Final Season

Position: 3B

Team: Cubs (Played for the A’s)

Card Number: 767

Age: 39

1987 Stats: 0.221/4/11

Awards: None

Player Notes: The final year of his long career. He was a solid defensive player, he had a career 0.260 batting average. But not really a power or speed threat.

Fun Facts: He is affectionately known as the Penguin.

14. John Denny - Retired

Position: P

Team: Reds

Card Number: 644

Age: 34

1987 Stats: None

Awards: None

Player Notes: Another one of those guys who never played again after 1986. He had a 13 year career and once won 19 games (1983). So overall he stood the test of time and came out as average.

Fun Facts: None

15. Tom Browning

Position: P

Team: Reds

Card Number: 65

Age: 27

1987 Stats: 10-13/5.02/1.43

Awards: None

Player Notes: This was still fairly early in his career. Tom was one of those guys I always tried to get him on my fantasy team. Ever since he threw the perfect game, I was always a fan until the end of his career.

Fun Facts: He and his wife have one daughter.

16. Jeff Sellers

Position: P

Team: Red Sox

Card Number: 12

Age: 23

1987 Stats: 7-8/5.28/1.59

Awards: None

Player Notes: This would be the second to last year for Jeff. He just didn’t have what it took to stay in the pros.

Fun Facts: He and his wife have one son.

17. Don Sutton

Position: P

Team: Angels

Card Number: 673

Age: 42

1987 Stats: 11-11/4.70/1.25

Awards: None

Player Notes: You can make all the jokes you want about him, but in the end, he is a Hall of Famer, and you aren’t. Of his 23 major league seasons, there were only 2 seasons he didn’t win 10 or more games. He finished with a career ERA of 3.26 and a WHIP of 1.14, not to mention his 324 wins. Without a doubt he deserved to be in the Hall of Fame.

Fun Facts: None

This pack was about as good as you can get. We had two Hall of Famers plus quite a few big name players. Overall I am going to give this pack 5.0 stars. I think I’ve only given that rating twice before.With two solid guys like Puckett and Sutton this pack deserves it too. I don’t think you could ask more from a pack.

I can’t believe the first box is almost gone. Of the 612 cards in the box I am sure to have around 500 cards of the set. Since it is starting to get to the point where doubles might occur more frequently, I decided to open the packs and check for doubles before I write this, since it makes writing it a bit easier. I am trying to do at least 4 OT posts a week. Since they eat up a considerable amount of time I can’t do them everyday. I do however try and post every day. I find that it is becoming ever increasingly difficult to buy cheaper autographs on eBay. It seems I now have competition on every card I go after and my win rate went from about 80% down to 50% over the last two weeks. What can you do? I got an autographed ball and baseball cap of Zach Duke recently and as soon as that comes in I will post it. Here is pack 25.

1. Rich Gedman

Position: C

Team: Red Sox

Card Number: 740

Age: 27

1987 Stats: 0.205/1/13 in 151 at bats

Awards: None

Player Notes: The Sox began the re-tooling project in 1987 and unfortunately the first to be re-tooled was Gedman. He was pushed aside for Marc Sullivan and John Marzano. Both of which were about as good as Gedman.

Fun Facts: He is involved with the Easter Seals Campaign.

2. Ken Phelps

Position: DH/1B

Team: Mariners

Card Number: 333

Age: 32

1987 Stats: 0.259/27/58

Awards: None

Player Notes: He may not have gotten too many at bats, and was never really considered a starter but man, could he hit home runs. At this point in his career he was hitting them at about 1 in every 11 at bats. That is just astounding. Next year would be the big trade to NY.

Fun Facts: He and his wife are parents of one son.

3. Tony Bernazard - All Star Card

Position: 2B

Team: Indians

Card Number: 607

Age: 30

Stat on the back: Steals - Rickey Henderson was one with 87, Tony had 17.

Player Notes: Baseball Reference doesn’t have him on the All Star team in 1986. Is this another Topps screw up like Domaso Garcia from 1986.

4. Luis Aguayo

Position: 2B/SS

Team: Phillies

Card Number: 755

Age: 28

1987 Stats: 0.206/12/21 in 209 at bats.

Awards: None

Player Notes: Easily the best season of his career. Out of the 37 total home runs he hit in his 10 year career, he kncoked out 12 in this season. He was a backup his entire career where he excelled in playing 2b, ss and 3b.

Fun Facts: He lists movies among his favorite pastimes.

5. Bob McClure

Position: P

Team: Expos

Card Number: 707

Age: 35

1987 Stats: 6-1/3.44/1.28 and 5 saves in 53 appearances.

Awards: None

Player Notes: He spent nearly a decade on the Brewers before being traded to the Expos. The Brewers thought he was done, but obviously they were wrong since he turned in a fin performance in this season. One of the better middle relievers in the league.

Fun Facts: None

6. Expos Leaders

Card Number: 381

Offensive Leaders: Tim Raines and Andre Dawson

Pitching Leaders: Tim Burke and Floyd Youmans

7. Rick Manning - Final Season

Position: OF

Team: Brewers

Card Number: 706

Age: 32

1987 Stats: 0.228/0/13 in 114 at bats.

Awards: None

Player Notes: He was never accepted in Milwaukee because he was part of a trade that sent Gorman Thomas packing. Thomas was a big hometown favorite and former home run champ and the fact that Manning was nothing like Thomas, made his stay in Milwaukee that much tougher.

Fun Facts: None

8. Tony Walker

Position: OF

Team: Astros

Card Number: 24

Age: 27

1987 Stats: Played in the minors

Awards: None

Player Notes: Tony only played in the majors for one season (1986) when he went 0.222/2/10 in 90 at bats. He never made it back to the pros and spent the majority of his career milling around in AAA.

Fun Facts: He was discovered by the Cincinnati Reds while playing in the Mexican League.

9. Rance Mulliniks - 3B/SS - Blue Jays - 537 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

10. Sid Fernandez - P - Mets - 570 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

11. Eric Plunk - P - A’s - 587 -Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

12. Mike Pagliarulo - 3B - Yankees - 195 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

13. Wade Rowdon - 3B - Reds - 569 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

14. Joe Price - P - Reds - 332 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

15. Terry Harper - OF - Braves - 49 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

16. Mike Kingery - OF - Royals - 203 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

17. Billy Hatcher - OF - Astros - 578 - Double, previously reviewed in pack 6.

Well, you knew, just knew that the doubles were going to be a coming. This was definitely an ugly pack for that. As far as the non doubles go they were a bunch of backups and no name guys. This might be the lowest rated pack I have done of the 1987 set. As I bestow the rating of 1.0 star. Just a hideous pack, one that if I had bought it, I would have thought it sucked even back in 1987. Stick around because I should have another Tale from the Bargain Bin up here soon.

I haven’t had time to do an Operation Topps review in quite some time, but today that ends. I have really only had about an hour a day for the site of late, and sometimes even less time than that. I have officially started the Zach Duke / Nate McLouth collection and again, I am begging, please let me know of what ever you have, I want your game used or autographs of these two. Currently I have 3 Duke autos and 3 game used, I don’t have anything for McLouth, but just won an auto from eBay. I also have been on a Brian Bannister kick as well, so if you have anything from him, I am also willing to wheel and deal. Anyhow, lets rip into pack 34.

1. Rich “Goose” Gossage

Position: P

Team: Padres

Card Number: 380

Age: 35

1987 Stats - 5-4/11 saves/3.96/1.27

Awards - None

Player Notes - This would be his last steady job. His last season with the Padres. He would move on to quite a few more teams after that season.

Fun Facts - None

2. Terry “Tito” Fancona

Position: 1B/OF

Team: Cubs

Card Number: 785

Age: 27

1987 Stats - 0.250/2/8 in 124 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - They always say, the back ups make for the best managers and in Tito’s case thats definitely true. He had a nice long career but never topped the 300 at bat mark.

Fun Facts - He and his wife are parents of one son.

3. Steve “Psycho” Lyons

Position: 3B/OF

Team: White Sox

Card Number: 511

Age: 27

1987 Stats - 0.280/1/19 in 193 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - He was known as Psycho for the crazy things he did on and off the field. One time after sliding into third, he got up dusted himself off, but there must have been dirt down his pants, so he undid his pants and slid it down to get out the dirt. Of course that was in front of 25,000+ people.

Fun Facts - None

4.George “Mullet” Brett

Position: 3B

Team: Royals

Card Number: 400

Age: 34

1987 Stats - 0.290/22/78

Awards - 12th consecutive All Star appearance

Player Notes - Usually I like to make fun of the players on the card, but look at that swing, is it just not one of the best swings in baseball? Of course I could make fun of the huge vein in his neck, but he might come running at me with a pine tar bat.

Fun Facts - None

5. Urbano Lugo

Position: P

Team: Angels

Card Number: 92

Age: 24

1987 Stats - 0-2/9.32/2.14 in 7 games

Awards - None

Player Notes - Wow, those might just be some of the worst stats I have ever seen. On a side note, he is one of the few players, whoes first name starts with a U.

Fun Facts - None

6. John Stefero - Final Season

Position: C

Team: Orioles (played with the Expos that year)

Card Number: 563

Age: 27

1987 Stats - 0.196/1/3 in 56 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - If Bam Bam would have grown up, this is what he would look like. I have to get a scan of this card.

Fun Facts - None

7. Ernie Camacho

Position: P

Team: Indians

Card Number: 353

Age: 32

1987 Stats - 0-1/1save/9.22/1.90

Awards - None

Player Notes - A career middle relief guy, spend most of his career in AAA. Must have had some real thick skin after growing up with that name.

Fun Facts - In College he set a school record with 302 strikeouts in 2 years.

8. Scott McGregor

Position: P

Team: Orioles

Card Number: 708

Age: 33

1987 Stats - 2-7/6.64/1.72

Awards - None

Player Notes - Scott had lots of success earlier in his career, but thanks to injuries, he became pedestrian as he grew older. Before this season he had reeled off 9 straight seasons with 11 or more wins.

Fun Facts - He and his wife have 2 children and he is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Organization. After he retired he actually became a minister.

9. Kevin Romine

Position: OF

Team: Red Sox

Card Number: 121

Age: 26

1987 Stats - 0.292/0/2 in 24 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - Kevin was a career backup and worst of all he was an ASU Sun Devil (Down with Sparky!) He has two sons who are currently in minor league baseball.

Fun Facts - He and his wife have one child Janelle. I guess somewhere along the line they had more than one.

10. Tony Pena

Position: Pirates

Team: C

Card Number: 60

Age: 30

1987 Stats - 0.214/5/44/6

Awards - None

Player Notes - The thing about Tony, wasn’t his on the field performance, since he wasn’t much of a slugger, but more of the way he handled pitchers and how great he was in the clubhouse.  He really brought teams together.

Fun Facts - He had 14 broken bat hits on one 1985 road trip.

11. Doug Drabek

Position: P

Team: Yankees (played the entire season with the Pirates)

Card Number: 283

Age: 24

1987 Stats - 11-12/3.88/1.20

Awards - None

Player Notes - Drabek was one of my favorite pitchers growing up.  I think it was mostly because of his blue collar work ethic.  I have a few of his autographed cards, and always looking to pick up more.  He wasn’t by any means a superstar, but he was a hard worker for sure.

Fun Facts - Doug was an All-Texas high school track star.

12. Joe Hesketh

Position: P

Team: Expos

Card Number: 189

Age: 28

1987 Stats - 0-0/1 save/3.14/1.33 in 18 games

Awards - None

Player Notes - He had a great rookie year, but never really did anything after that.  He was solid as far as a pitcher.

Fun Facts - He majored in Business Administration at Buffalo University.  He loves hockey and his favorite team is the Buffalo Sabres.

13. Argenis Salazar

Position: SS

Team: Royals

Card Number:533

Age: 24

1987 Stats - 0.205/2/21 in 308 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - He wasn’t in the majors for his bat, that much is obvious.  Nope he was in the majors for his defensive prowess.

Fun Facts - He was MVP of 1982 FSL mid season All Star game.

14. Cal “Iron Man” Ripken

Position: SS

Team: Orioles

Card Number: 784

Age: 26

1987 Stats - 0.252/27/98

Awards - 5th consecutive All Star appearance

Player Notes - The Iron Man endured his first kink in his armor during this season.  This was his first sub 0.282 season.  I remember there was a lot of complaining about how poorly he was hitting this year.  It’s good to see that it didn’t mess up his streak though.

Fun Facts - His brother Billy plays in the Orioles’ chain.

15. Jose Uribe

Position: SS

Team:Giants

Card Number: 633

Age: 28

1987 Stats - 0.291/5/30/12

Awards - None

Player Notes - Another guy who was mainly a defensive guy.  He grinded out a nice career in the majors.

Fun Facts - None

16. Rick Honeycutt

Position: P

Team: Dodgers (traded to the A’s mid season)

Card Number: 753

Age: 33

1987 Stats - 3-16/4.72/1.54

Awards - None

Player Notes - This was the year his career came to a screeching halt!  He was cruising along winning 11-12 wins a season for a number of years. Then this train wreck happened and he never really got out of the losing funk.

Fun Facts - He was quarterback of his high school football team.  He and his wife have two children.

17. Bob Forsch

Position: P

Team: Cardinals

Card Number: 257

Age: 37

1987 Stats - 11-7/4.32/1.31

Awards - None

Player Notes - What a ridiculous face he has when he pitches.  He looks like a chipmunk.  Not a bad career, 168 wins and 137 losses.

Fun Facts - None

Overall we had another pack with no doubles.  So I have to give it 2 stars just for that.  Throw in 3 Hall of Famers (Brett, Ripken and Gossage), now we are at 4.5 stars.  I would have given it more but there was just too much dead wood in this pack.  Don’t forget about my Duke / McLouth collection, hook me up!  Thanks! Check back for another post later today.

It was a long weekend.  I decided to hold off on posting on Friday and Sunday.  Friday because that is the only day of the week my wife and I have off together and Sunday because my in laws are in town.  I figure this week I should get a few Operation Topps posts out.  This weekend I went on an autograph card spree on eBay.  Over the course of the next few weeks, I will try and get most of them posted.  I go through weird phases when I look at autographs, right now I am collecting James Shields and Zach Duke autos.  If you have any let me know and we can work out a trade.  Enough banter, let’s get right to pack 33

1. Ronn Reynolds

Position: C

Team: Phillies (Played with Astros)

Card Number: 471

Age: 28

1987 Stats: 0.167/1/7 with about 100 at bats.

Awards - None

Player Notes - Ronn got a lot of tail, I mean look at him, all those girls after the game and he comes out in his parachute pants (this was the 80s) and his cool gold chain.  The girls would look at his mullet and piercing eyes and just melt.  I mean it’s either him or Steve Jeltz right?

Fun Facts - Ronn was a member of the 1979 University of Arkansas team that played in the College World Series.

2. Craig Lefferts

Position: P

Team: Padres (also played with the Giants that year)

Card Number: 501

Age: 29

1987 Stats - 5-5/3.83/1.27

Awards - None

Player Notes - Another middle reliever.  What can I say they are so boring.  He was around the MLB for a long time.

Fun Facts - He is co-chairman of the SD Children’s Asthma League.  He was also a member of two College World Series Teams at the University of Arizona (GO CATS!)

3. Ed Nunez

Position: P

Team: Mariners

Card Number: 427

Age: 24

1987 Stats - 3-4/12 saves/3.80/1.33

Awards - None

Player Notes - when he was 22 he saved 16 games, he had some arm troubles in 1986, didn’t have it in 1987, and never really got back his velocity and movement.

Fun Facts - He enjoys TV, music, and basketball.  Le and his wife are the parents of a son, Marcus.

4. John Tudor

Position: P

Team: Cardinals

Card Number: 110

Age: 32

1987 Stats - 10-2/3.84/1.32

Awards - None

Player Notes - I like this photo.  It’s like the photographer said, John, let’s face facts, you are not an attractive man, turn your head and lets take an off profile shot to hide your deficiencies.

Fun Facts - His favorite pastimes include scuba diving.

5. Brewers Leaders

Offensive Leaders - Robin Yount and Rob Deer

Pitching Leaders - Teddy Higuera and Mark Clear

Card Number: 56

6. Tim Flannery

Position: 2B

Team: Padres

Card Number: 763

Age: 27

1987 Stats - 0.228/0/20 in 368 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - It’s sad that this is your 8th year in the league and the Padres finally give you the nod as starter and you turn in this pathetic statline.  As you have probably guessed this is one of his final years.

Fun Facts - None

7. Tom Foley

Position: 2B

Team: Expos

Card Number: 78

Age: 27

1987 Stats - 0.293/5/28/6

Awards - None

Player Notes - One of those oddball, throws righty but bats lefty guys.  He played a long time in the league working mainly as a backup.

Fun Facts - He was a left handed quarterback in high school.  So he can throw lefty too.

8. Bill Scherrer

Position: P

Team: Tigers (Played with the Reds in 1987)

Card Number: 98

Age: 29

1987 Stats - 0-1/4.36/1.79 in 20 relief appearances.

Awards - None

Player Notes - I picked his card to show you because the guy just looks sketchy.  He looks like someone who might have tortured small animals as a kid.

Fun Facts - He won All State honors in high school.

9. Chris Codiroli

Position: P

Team: A’s

Card Number: 217

Age: 29

1987 Stats - 0-2/8.74/1.77 in three starts

Awards - None

Player Notes - Spent most of the season (and career for that matter) in the minors.  Never really had major league stuff, but pitching was so bad in the mid 80s he got a shot.  He would never have made the bigs in today’s world.

Fun Facts - Went to San Jose State University and he and his wife have 2 children.

10. Dann Bilardello

Position: C

Team: Expos

Card Number: 577

Age: 28

1987 Stats - Played entore season in minors

Awards - None

Player Notes - Actually he played of of 1987 and 1988 in the minors, he doesn’t come back to the majors until 1989.

Fun Facts - He and his wife are parents of one son.

11. Dave Palmer

Position: P

Team: Braves

Card Number: 324

Age: 29

1987 Stats - 8-11/4.90/1.53

Awards - None

Player Notes - Dave was a 5th starter at best.  He only cleared 10 wins twice in his career.  Not a whole lot to say here.

Fun Facts - He listens to music in his spare time (cop out here, everyone does that).

12. Turn Back the Clock - 1982 Rickey Henderson

Team: A’s

Card Number: 311

Age: 23

1987 Stats - 0.267/10/51/130

Awards - 2nd All Star appearance / 10th in MVP voting.

Player Notes - Huge year for Rickeyy as he set the single season record. A record which may never be broken. He stole 2nd 95 times, 3rd 25 times and home twice.  He was caught stealing 42 times.  That’s insane when you think that he only had 143 hits and 116 walks.

13. Jose Rijo

Position: P

Team: A’s

Card Number: 34

Age: 22

1987 Stats - 2-7/5.90/1.79

Awards - None

Player Notes - This was still very early in his career, before he was taught how to really pitch by his father in law, Juan Marichal.  The story goes, that he married Juan’s daughter and Juan said that you can’t be in my family if you can’t pitch.  The next year he lands in Cincinnati and becomes an All Star pitcher.

Fun Facts - None

14. Glenn Davis

Position: 1B

Team: Astros

Card Number: 560

Age: 26

1987 Stats - 0.251/27/93

Awards - None

Player Notes - He was runner up in MVP voting in 1986.  A great hitting first baseman, he and Jeff Bagwell almost had identical beginnings of their careers.

Fun Facts - None

15. Tim Laudner

Position: C

Team: Twins

Card Number: 478

Age: 29

1987 Stats - 0.191/16/43

Awards - None

Player Notes - I had to do a double take at that batting average.  Even with 16 homers (out of 55 hits) that’s atrocious. Could you imagine if he was your starting catcher?

Fun Facts - Tim also went to high school in Minnesota (very similar to Joe Mauer, except, he can’t hit).

16. Jim Pankovits

Position: 2B/3B

Team: Astros

Card Number: 249

Age: 31

1987 Stats - 0.230/1/8/2

Awards - None

Player Notes -  He was a back up guy known mostly for his defensive skills.  Not much to say except he had a funny last name.

Fun Facts - None

17. Danny Darwin

Position: P

Team: Astros

Card Number: 157

Age: 31

1987 Stats - 9-10/3.59/1.29

Awards - None

Player Notes - First off, worst mustache in the major leagues, second, worst airbrushing job in this set.  The stripes are not even on the jersey, and the shadow doesn’t even match where the hat would cast it.  Just a bad picture.

Fun Facts - While in junior college he recieved All-American honors.

Overall, this pack didn;t give me any doubles, but still, it was a very boring pack.  I’m gonna give this one a 2.0 star rating.  It’s not that the pack was horrible, but really no big stars.  Check back again later, as I’m feeling another post or two in me today.

Well the migraine is gone and my physical is done as well. My day at work is wrapping up and I doubt I’ll get this posted before 6:00pm but I figured that I would write it. Just a little background on this box, there are a possible 612 cards per box (17 card packs w/ 36 packs), so far I believe I am at 34 doubles. With only 5 packs left to open we may be looking at 550 cards out of this first box and that would mean almost 70% of the set out of one box. That number is outstanding. You may not remember but out of my first box of 1986 Topps, I got about 35% of the set completed. This has been one of the best boxes I have ever bought and I thought I would give it some props. Anyways let’s look at pack number 32.

1. Len “Nails” Dystra - 295 - OF - Mets - 295 - 24 years old

1987 Stats - 0.285/10/43/27

Awards - None

Player Notes - Lenny is almost the invisible man in this card, as the 3rd base coach isn’t even paying attention to him. Dykstra was a pretty heavily collected guy in this time frame, I personally didn’t think his stats warrented it.

Fun Facts - Len’s grandfather and uncle played NHL Hockey.
2. Roy Lee Jackson - P - Twins - 138 - 33 years old - Retired

1987 Stats - None

Awards - None

Player Notes - Roy Lee actually retired after the 1986 season, I didn’t scan his card, but in the picture, he has his hat on backwards. This might be one of the first photos of a guy with his hat on backwards, who wasn’t a catcher.

Fun Facts - He was voted MVP in baseball, basketball, and football as a senior in high school.

3. Mike “Spanky” LaValliere - C - Cardinals - 162 - 26 years old - Played for Pirates

1987 Stats - 0.300/1/36

Awards - None

Player Notes - I always liked Mike, I thought not only was he a great hitter for a catcher, but he was a bit pudgy, and everyone likes a pudgy catcher.

Fun Facts - His originally nickname was “Smoky” for his similarity in build to former big leaguer Smoky Burgess. His father, Guy, played in the minors from 1952-1961.

4. Dave Dravecky - P - Padres - 470 - 31 years old - Traded to the Giants mid season

1987 Stats - 10-12/3.43/1.31

Awards - None

Player Notes - One of the saddest stories in baseball, do remember the “pop”. Definitely one of the most horrific videos I have ever seen.

Fun Facts - He went to Youngstown State University. He and his wife are parents of two children.

5. Steve Ontiveros - P - A’s - 161 - 26 years old

1987 Stats - 10-8/4.00/1.27

Awards - None

Player Notes - Steve was one of those guys I was pulling for in 1987. The A’s were an exciting team to watch and I found myself rooting for all their young players. Steve being one of them. Unfortunately he never panned out.

Fun Facts - He was All-Indiana shortstop in high school.

6. Will “Thrill” Clark - 1B - Giants - 420 - 23 years old

1987 Stats - 0.308/35/91

Awards - 5th in MVP voting

Player Notes - A classic card of the Thrill, at first I thought, how did he not get the 1st base nod for Topps All Star Rookie, then I remembered Mark McGwire. It is funny to see how little these guys were coming into the league.

Fun Facts - He was on the 1984 US Olympic team and was a 2 time NCAA All American at Mississippi State.

7. Floyd Bannister - P - White Sox - 737 - 32 years old

1987 Stats - 16-11/3.58/1.16

Awards - None

Player Notes - This was his last big season in the majors. If he wasn’t on the White Sox he may have even gotten a few votes for Cy Young that year.

Fun Facts - He wore the number 19 which was his number since college. He has two sons, Brian and Brett. I wonder what happened to Brett.

8. Don Slaught - C - Rangers - 308 - 28 years old

1987 Stats - 0.224/8/16

Awards - None

Player Notes - He was always a back up no matter where he went. Usually a solid hitter, this was definitely a down year for him.

Fun Facts - He spends his off seasons in Arlington, TX where he is a member of the Ranger’s Speaker Bureau.

9. Astros Leaders - 531

Offensive Leaders - Kevin Bass and Glenn Davis

Pitching Leaders - Mike Scott and Bob Knepper

10. Gary Gaetti - 3B - Twins - 710 - 28 years old

1987 Stats - 0.257/39/109/10

Awards - 10th in MVP voting

Player Notes - I forgot just how big Gary played for the Twins. He was definitely a major hitter on that team besides Hrbek and Puckett.

Fun Facts - He and his wife have 2 sons, Joseph and Jacob.

11. Tim Conroy - P - Cardinals - 338 - 32 years old - Final Season

1987 Stats - 3-2/5.53/1.80

Awards - None

Player Notes - This was Tim’s last year as a pro and if you look at his numbers you’ll know why. It wasn’t that those numbers were awful, although definitely not very good, but he was also on the wrong side of 30.

Fun Facts - He pitched his Hhig school to two Western PA titles.

12. Kevin “World” Mitchell - OF - Mets - 653 - 24 years old - Played for the Padres and Giants in 1987

1987 Stats - 0.280/22/70

Awards - None

Player Notes - When he arrived in SF, something was in the water, because his homer totals skyrocketed. This was the first of a few seasons where he hit more than 20 dingers.

Fun Facts - He devotes time to spends with NYC youths.

13. Phil Bradley - OF - Mariners - 525 - 28 years old

1987 Stats - 0.297/14/70/40

Awards - None

Player Notes - he was a pretty well collected guy in 1986, but he never lived up to those 1985 numbers. Definitely one of the more underated guys in the AL at that time.

Fun Facts - He was a Big 8 QB for 3 years at the University of Missouri. He had 6457 total yards.

14. Scott Garrelts - P - Giants - 475 - 25 years old

1987 Stats - 11-7/3.22/1.18

Awards - None

Player Notes - He was a big believer in those big glasses, as I think every sports card he has, has a nice picture of them. Would we even be able to recognize him without the glasses? I think not!

Fun Facts - He had a 16-4 career record in High School. He loves playing pool.

15. Jim Clancy - P - Blue Jays - 122 - 31 years old

1987 Stats - 15-11/3.54/1.30

Awards - None

Player Notes - One of the better starters in Blue Jays history. He averaged around 11 wins a season in those first 10 years.

Fun Facts - He and his wife are parents of four children.

16. Darryl Strawberry - OF - Mets - 460 - 25 years old

1987 Stats - 0.284/39/104/36 almost became the first 40 - 40 guy in MLB history that year.

Awards - 6th in MVP voting and his 4th All Star appearance.

Player Notes - What a tremendous waste of talent. He could have gone down as one of the best hitters in baseball history. Instead he threw it all away on Coke. Damn New Coke!

Fun Facts - Darryl graduated from Crenshaw (CA) high school (where he probably developed the habit). He and his wife have one son (What’s his name again . . . ).

17. Todd Worrell - P - Cardinals - 605 - All Star Card - 1st Appearance

Statistical Catagory - Saves

Category Leader - Worrell (36 saves)

Another pack and another pack with no doubles. This box is just amazing. Overall I am going to rate this one fairly high. Since we did have some big name guys on here. So let’s give this one a 4.0 star rating. Maybe it’s just because I am in such a generous mood. Check back later when I add the photos, work is crazy busy right now.

I think it’s been since Thursday since I cranked one of these out.  Well after much heaving and sneezing I finally feel halfway decent to finish one of these posts.  Just to catch everyone up, at 30 packs in we have the better part of 510 cards of the 792 card set.  Yes you heard that right, almost 75% of the set.  Some of the major cards missing are a few future stars, the Canseco card, most of the Turn Back the Clock cards and oddly enough the checklist cards.  Be prepared for a new rant tomorrow morning as I go off on Beckett magazine again.  I was surprised that I didn’t get more response on my last one.  Well let’s see how you feel about their starter sets section.

1. Rick Dempsey - C  - Orioles - 28 -  37 years old - Played with Cleveland in 1987

1987 Stats - 0.177/1/9 in 144 at bats.

Awards - None

Player Notes - Rick hold his head up high in this shot, but those wrinkles are starting to show not only on his face but in his game as well.

Fun Fact - None

2. Max Venable - OF - Reds - 226 - 30 years old

1987 Stats - 0.143/0/2 in 7 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - Max never really caught on anywhere he went.  He was always the 4th or even fifth outfielder.  1987 was a classic example.  He spent most of the season in AAA.

Fun Fact - None

3. Todd Worrell - P - Cardinals - 465 - 27 years old

1987 Stats - 8-6/2.66/1.27 with 33 saves

Awards - None

Player Notes - Was among two rookie closers to make in impact in 1986, he and Mark Eichhorn.  It’s amazing though when you think about it that he went on to close 36 games as a rookie in 1986, then turned around and had another great season in 1987

Fun Fact - He participated in the Pony League program.

4. Ron Kittle - DH - Yankees - 584 - 29 years old

1987 Stats - 0.277/12/28 in 149 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - Ron was a starter early in his career but once Baines took over the DH role in Chi-town, Ron was expendable and ended up on a bad Yankees team where he actually hit the ball pretty well considering he only had around 150 at bats.

Fun Fact - Ron was All-Indiana in high school basketball.

5. Craig Reynolds - SS - Astros -  779 -  34 years old

1987 Stats - 0.254/4/28/5

Awards - None

Player Notes - He was so happy in that picture, but it seems forced, like the photographer told him, I’m going to snap your picture just after you hit the ball, remember to say cheese.  Funny how some people just seem happier when the play.

Fun Fact - None

6. Rangers Leaders - 656

Offensive Leaders - Oddibe McDowell and Scott Flether

Pitching Leaders - Charlie Hough and Ed Correa

7.  Roger McDowell - P - Mets - 185 - 26 years old

1987 Stats - 7-5/4.16/1.38 with 25 saves

Awards - None

Player Notes -As you can see in the picture, he was known for having one of the thickest and sickest necks in baseball, are you in awe just like I am, now all bow to Roger’s neck!  Seriously though, he had a rough season in 1987 and because of it, found himself traded in 1988.

Fun Fact - He recovered from elbow surgery in 1984 to earn 2 wins for Jackson in the Texas League Playoffs.

8. Enos Cabell - 3B/1B - Dodgers - 509 -  Retired

1987 Stats - None

Awards - None

Player Notes - Retired after the 1986 season with the Dodgers

Fun Fact - He and his wife have 2 sons (one of them is Enos Jr.)

9. Dale “The Murph” Murphy - OF - Braves - 490 -  31 years old

1987 Stats - 0.295/44/105/16

Awards - All Star (7th and final time), 11th in MVP voting

Player Notes - People either think he is a superstar and underated or completely overated (depending on where you are in the country). Personally I think any 2 time MVP deserves to be in the Hall.

Fun Fact - Dale has developed into a chess enthusiast.

10. Rafael Ramirez - SS/3B - Braves - 76 - 29 years old

1987 Stats - 0.263/1/21 in 179 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - Usually a starter, Raffy was injured early and often in 1987 and missed most of the season.

Fun Fact - He gives Braves tickets to youth groups.

11. Terry Harper - OF - Braves - 49 -  31 years old - Slit season between Detroit and Pittsburgh

1987 Stats - 0.246/4/17 in 130 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - This was the last season in Terry’s career.  He beat the odds, drafted in the 16th round, he turned out ot be a servicable player.

Fun Fact - He attended real estate school in Atlanta.

12. BJ Surhoff - C - Brewers - 216  - Future Star - 22 years old

1987 Stats - 0.299/7/68/11

Awards - None

Player Notes - This is rare for the Topps people a rookie card of a true rookie, he had no MLB at bats in 1986.  This is one of the most famous cards from the set.  He had a nice career and this was his first card.  Everyone remembers this card if you were collecting in 1987.

Fun Fact - He earned All - ACC honors 3 times at UNC. He batted 0.303 as a member of the 1984 US Olympic team.  His brother Rich is a pitcher in the Rangers farm system.

13. Curt Wilkerson - SS/2B - Rangers - 228 - 26 years old

1987 Stats - 0.268/2/14 in  just 138 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - The Rangers had huge aspirations for Curt, but he never became that full time guy they needed.

Fun Fact - He played baseball and football in high school.  Also he played in the Babe Ruth League.

14. Tom Nieto - C - Expos - 416 - 26 years old - Played in Minnesota in 1987

1987 Stats - 0.200/1/12 in 105 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - It’s a little known fact that Tom was actually thawed out of ice after being trapped for almost 10,000 years, he is the last caveman ever to play in the MLB.

Fun Fact - None

15. Ken Dixon - P - Orioles - 528 - 26 years old - Final season

1987 Stats - 7-10/6.43/1.48

Awards - None

Player Notes - Never really put together a solid season for the Orioles and never made it back to the bigs after this terrible season.

Fun Fact - Ken likes to play the drums.

16. Rafeal Palmiero - OF - Cubs - 634 - 22 years old - Future Star

1987 Stats - 0.276/14/30

Awards - None

Player Notes - Another classic card from this set.If you look closely you can see the needle marks on his arm.

Fun Fact - He hit 0.415 with 29 homers and 94 RBI at Mississippi St. in 1984 to become the first Triple Crown Winner in SEC history.

17. Tony Phillips - 3B/2B - A’s - 188 - 28 years old

1987 Stats - 0.240/10/46

Awards - None

Player Notes - Not quite on par with the stars of the day, but he was regarded as a star.  Basically though, he was a decent hitting good second baseman.  No pop and not much speed.

Fun Fact - He attended New Mexico Military Institute. He and his wife have one daughter.

Overall what a nice pack! I am going to give this one a 3.5 star rating.  You had Raffy and BJ, not to mention Dempsey and Worrell.  Not bad at all, plus and I have to double check this, no doubles!  How crazy is this box, I definitely don’t remember boxes as good as this one when I was back in 1987 opening them.  Hope you enjoy tomorrow’s rant.  Also llok for another Operation Topps.

Since we have reached the 30 pack mark, we are at 510 cards so far. As far as I can tell we only had ~25 doubles. Which puts us way ahead of schedule for completing this set. I am hoping since the 1986 set was such a bust (missing more than 100 cards) that this set would redeem the Topps name. Sorry there was not review yesterday, things at work are hectic and I don’t see any slow down in the near future. I probably won’t be posting Sat. or Sun. But who knows. My puppy is getting fixed today so I have quite a few things going on in the background, but hopefully I can focus to get everything I want to get done completed. Here is pack number 30.

1. Aurelio “Senior Smoke” Lopez - P - Astros - 659 - 38 years old - Final Season

1987 Stats - 2-1/4.50/1.32 in 26 games

Awards - None

Player Notes - Aurelio might have the last profile shot in baseball history that compares to Homer Simpson. Of course we haven’t gotten to David Wells yet.

Fun Fact - His nickname came from his hard throwing pitching style, also cause he was from Mexico.

2. Bruce Sutter - P - Braves - 435 - 34 years old

1987 Stats - None

Awards - None

Player Notes -Bruce missed the complete 1987 season because of arm surgury. He did return in 1988. The above picture is a rather tame version of his beard.

Fun Fact - He is an avid fisherman and hunter (judging from the beard alone I have no prblem believing that). Also he and his wife have 3 sons.

3. Domingo Ramos - SS/2B - Mariners - 641 - 29 years old

1987 Stats - 0.311/2/11 in 103 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes -Classic good hitting back up from that era. Not talented to play everyday but when he did play he made the most of it.

Fun Fact - He and his wife have 2 sons.

4. Cory Snyder - OF/SS - Indians - 192 - 24 years old - Topps All Star Rookie Team

1987 Stats - 0.236/33/82

Awards - None

Player Notes -Man I was so high on him, I thought this guy had superstar written all over him, especially after his breakout 1986 season where he went 0.272/24/69 in 416 at bats. I went out and bought a ton of his 1985 Topp USA Team cards. I still have those cards if anyone wants one.

Fun Fact - He hit a homer in each of his first 3 at bats in the 1982 season. He hold career records in 7 categories at BYU.

5. Tracy Jones - OF - Reds - 146 - 26 years old

1987 Stats -0.290/10/44/31

Awards - None

Player Notes - Another one of those rookies of the 1987 season who I thought was going to do spectacular and never really panned out. It was a big year for Reds rookies in 1987 topped with Larkin.

Fun Fact - His father, Jim, played in the Red Sox chain.

6. Duane Ward - P - Blue Jays - 153 - 23 years old

1987 Stats - 1-0/6.94/2.23 in 12 games

Awards - None

Player Notes -Still technically a rookie even after this (his second stint in the majors). He was way to young to be up in the majors at this point in his career. As evidence by his attempt to look older with a mustache.

Fun Fact - He was an All-State, Tournament, District, and American while he was in high school (that’s a lot of alls).

7. Mario Soto - P - Reds - 517 - 30 years old

1987 Stats - 3-2/5.12/1.45

Awards - None

Player Notes -Unfortunately for Mario, his best years were on some pretty horrible teams. At this point in his career his arm was starting to have serious issues and he would be out of baseball in 2 years.

Fun Fact - He and his wife have 2 daughters.

8. Mike Heath - C - Tigers - 492 - 32 years old

1987 Stats - 0.281/8/33

Awards - None

Player Notes - Couldn’t beat out Matt Nokes in spring training and ended up being his backup the whole season. Not a bad backup, but never really had starting material.

Fun Fact - He was a Reds fan growing up. You’d figure with free agency, he would try and get on the Reds at somepoint during his career.

9. Gary Pettis - OF - Angels - 278 - 28 years old

1987 Stats - 0.208/1/17/24

Awards - None

Player Notes -One of the faster guys in the league at the time but unfortunately not good enough numbers to keep him in Anahiem. He was shipped off to the Tigers where he had some success but never past the 50 SB mark again in his career.

Fun Fact - He was on of 4 brothers and was the Angel’s representative for the American Cancer Society.

10. Shane Rawley - P - Phillies - 771 - 31 years old

1987 Stats - 17-11/4.39/1.43

Awards - None

Player Notes -This would be his last good season. After years of 10-12 win ball, he put up this gem, a solid season.

Fun Fact - He earned a pilots license in 1980. One of his many interests is writing and flying.

11. Jeff Russell - P - Rangers - 444 - 25 years old

1987 Stats - 5-4/4.44/1.65

Awards - None

Player Notes - Someone forgot to tell Jeff that it was picture day at the park.  Jeff was stuck in middle relief hell back in 1987, it would be a few more years before he would start closing.

Fun Fact - None

12. Darrell Miller - C/OF - Angels - 337 - Double, reviewed in pack 15.

13. Mark Thurmond - P - Tigers - 361 - Double, reviewed in pack 15.

14. Larry McWilliams - P - Pirates - 564 - Double, reviewed in pack 12.

15. Floyd Youmans - P - Expos - 105 - Double, reviewed in pack 7.

16. Orlando Mercado - C - Rangers - 514 - Double, reviewed in pack 24.

17. Walt Terrell - P - Tigers - 72 - Double, reviewed in pack 24.

Damn here is another dead pack.  This one is worse because 6 of the cards were doubles.  Overall I am going to give this one a 1.5 rating, we did have a Hall of Famer, but everyone else was so pedestrian. The majority of that rating goes directly to Bruce Sutter and that hysterical picture of senior “Homer Simpson” smoke.  I will try and do a game used review tomorrow, maybe even a Operation Topps, if the time permits. Until then . .

I missed posting an Operation Topps post yesterday. Work got pretty busy, then I also had several meetings, blah, blah, blah . . . . Anyways, today I’m back with my take on pack 29. To give you an update on my current Topps set, 2008 series two is complete, a quick purchase on eBay seasled the deal, I was going to buy an HTA box, but in the end I thought, my whole purpose is to get a set, I spent $14 for the set and that translates to 7 packs of cards (70 cards, 55 of which would be in the set). Money is tight around here and when I can save a buck (or $80) I do it. My next Ebay purchase will be the 1988 set and as a contest (when I hit 25000 visitors), I will be sending out packs upon packs of 1988 Topps, so be ready for it! On to pack 29!

1. Julio Cruz - 2B - White Sox - 790 - 32 years old - Retired

1987 Stats - None, he was retired.

Awards - None

Player Notes - Julio was a top of the order hitter with a low career batting average (0.237), amazingly not only did he start but he managed to stick in the league for 10 years, must have been a hell of a defensive asset.

Fun Fact - Julio can dunk a basketball from a standing start.

2. Rick Burleson - SS/3B - Angels - 579 - 36 years old - Last Season

1987 Stats - 0.209/2/14 in a little over 200 at bats.

Awards - None

Player Notes - When I was playing little league baseball, I was always taught not to hold the bat the way Rick is, its a great way to get your fingers smashed in from the incoming fastball. I see Rick didn’t have to terrific insight of my little league coach during this at bat.

Fun Fact - None.

3. Bob “Buck” Rodgers - MGR - Expos - 293 - 48 years old

1987 Record - Guided the Expos to a 3rd place finish with a 91-71 record.

Awards - None

Player Notes - I’m wondering why he didn’t go by Buck at this point in his career? I bet it was because he thought his players would tease him about coming from the 24th century.

Fun Fact - None

4. Mookie Wilson - OF - Mets - 625 - 32 years old

1987 Stats - 0.299/9/34/21

Awards - None

Player Notes - His real name is William, he will always be remembered for his 1986 bottom of the 10th, 2 outs, game 6 at bat. In the end, he was a pretty good lead off guy, with some wheels. His name might conjure up better stats, but this was about average for him.

Fun Fact - He got his nickname “Mookie” from his grandmother.

5. Frank Wills - P - Indians - 551 - 28 years old

1987 Stats - 0-1/5.06/1.88 in 6 games of relief

Awards - None

Player Notes - Frank was the 16th overall pick of the 1980 draft. It’s fair to say that he didn’t even remotely live up to his potential. In his entire career only once did he top 100 innings in a season.

Fun Fact - He was a 3 year letterman in football at Tulane, where he was a punter.

6. Glenn Braggs - OF - Brewers - 622 - 24 years old

1987 Stats - 0.269/13/77/12

Awards - None

Player Notes - This would be his best season as a pro, his first season as a starter (out of 3 years starting). I had high hopes for him after this season, but he never built upon this.

Fun Fact - Was named “Outstanding Player” as a junior at the University of Hawaii.

7. Roger Clemens - P - Red Sox - 340 - 24 years old

1987 Stats - 20-9/2.97/1.18

Awards - Cy Young award winner (back to back), 19th in MVP voting but oddly enough no AS appearance.

Player Notes - This was another big year for Roger, I find it so odd though that he didn’t make the All Star team. Even stranger since his manager would be the skipper for that game.

Fun Fact - In his two years at the U of Texas he went 25-7 with 241 strikeouts in 275 innings pitched.

8. Kurt Stillwell - SS - Reds - 623 - 22 years old

1987 Stats - 0.285/4/33/4

Awards - None

Player Notes - This was his first starting season for the Reds and he did pretty well especially for a 22 year old.

Fun Fact - His father, Ron, was an infielder with the Washington Senators from 1961 - 1962.

9. Greg Pryor - 3B/2B - Royals - 761 - 37 years old - Retired

1987 Stats - None

Awards - None

Player Notes - another utility infielder who had a long career, despite putting up any big numbers along the way.

Fun Fact - His father, George, was a star fullback for Wake Forrest and played in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts.

10. Ruppert Jones - OF - Angels - 53 - 32 years old - Final Season

1987 Stats - 0.245/8/28 in just under 200 at bats.

Awards - None

Player Notes - Ruppert was definitely an unsung hero in his day. He was a 0.250/13/50 guy on average and definitely a good guy to have in the 6th or 7th slot.

Fun Fact - He enjoys both karate and racquetball. So if you ever play him, look out he can kick your butt if you argue calls.

11. Bill Swift - P - Mariners - 67 - 26 years old

1987 Stats - 8-12/4.59/1.51

Awards - None

Player Notes - Everyone knows about my love of Bill Swift. Sure he wasn’t more than just your average starter, but just how nice he was to nice autographs after he got pounded versus the Indians, won me over.

Fun Fact - Bill pitched for the 1982 USA World Team in the World Championships in Korea and in 1983 in the Pan Am games. He is one of 15 children.

12. Jim Sunberg - C - Royals - 190 - 36 years old (played with the Cubs that year)

1987 Stats - 0.201/4/15 in 139 at bats

Awards - None

Player Notes - After a long career with the Royals, they sent him to the Cubbies where he would start his second career as a back up that would lead him to two more teams in 3 years.

Fun Fact - None

13. Dwayne Murphy - OF - A’s - 743 - 32 years old

1987 Stats - 0.233/8/35

Awards - None

Player Notes - By 1987 his best years were clearly behind him, but in his prime he was a 0.240/27/90 guy that you could slot in the 5 spot and be very happy with him.

Fun Fact - He turned down a football scholarship from Arizona State (good for him no one likes the scum devils) to sign with the A’s. He and his wife have 3 children.

14. Jaimie Quirk - C/1B - Royals - 354 - 32 years old

1987 Stats - 0.236/5/33

Awards - None

Player Notes - Jim Sunberg’s replacement. Not a good choice by the Royals by my opinion. Possibly the longest career of anyone who’s last name starts with a Q.

Fun Fact - None

15. Greg Walker - 1B - White Sox - 397 - 27 years old

1987 Stats - 0.256/27/94

Awards - None

Player Notes - One of the sweetest home run swings I have ever seen, a guy with tons of potential who’s career was cut short by a seizure he suffered during batting practice in the 1988 season. He never really was the same player after that.

Fun Fact - He was the White Sox Naminee for the 1986 Roberto Clemente award for his humanitarian work.

16. Terry Mulholland - P - Giants - 536 - 24 years old

1987 Stats - He was in the minors

Awards - None

Player Notes - This was pretty early on in his career and he spent it in the minors.

Fun Fact - He works as a gas station attendant during the off season. I think it was safe to say that after the 1988 season he would not be working that job in the off season.

17. Pat Clements - P - Pirates - 16 - 25 years old (pitched for the Yankees that year)

1987 Stats - 3-3/4.95/1.51 in 55 games with 7 saves

Awards - None

Player Notes - one of my least favorite pitchers in 1987 on that team. You knew when he came in generally the game was over and the Yanks were going to lose.

Fun Fact - He played 3 seasons at UCLA and was selected to the USA College All-Star team

I got the chills from that pack. The only worthwhile card from the entire pack was the Clemens one, and after all the litigation he’s gone through I don’t even think that is worth anything. Nope just a bunch of 1987 stiffs. Overall we give this one a 1.5 star rating. There was just not enough to get this one into a higher rating. By the way I want to congratulate the Arizona Wildcats for breaking out of their regional and making it to the Super Regional in NCAA baseball. They won’t survive Miami but it was a good run.