What a card: This is Pat Zachry's final card as a major league player. He was traded to the Phillies in February of 1985, probably before a lot of collectors had even pulled his card. The Phillies released him in June of '85.
My observation on the front: Every time I see Zachry with his mustache, I think of the metamorphosis that he went through in his career. From a clean-shaven rookie with the Reds, to a mountain-man look when he played for the Mets, to the straight, bushy mustache with the Dodgers.
More opinion from me: Topps isn't starting out with the most memorable Dodgers in this set. First pinch-hitter Terry Whitfield, and now two-save reliever Pat Zachry.
Something you might know: Zachry won N.L. Rookie of the Year honors, along with the Padres' Butch Metzger, as a starting pitcher for the Reds in 1976.
Something you might not know: Kiner's Korner was the postgame show for Mets' broadcasts on WOR-TV in the late 1970s. Pat Zachry was one of the many players that appeared on the studio show with Ralph Kiner. During one visit, Zachry was given a Getty Gas gift certificate as thanks for appearing on the show. Zachry tried to use the certificate at a station. But the attendant didn't know what it was and came after him with a ball-peen hammer.
My observation on the back: I could say this about a lot of cards in this set, but the '85 backs are some of the dullest backs I've ever seen in more than four decades of collecting. Some of the write-ups make them a little interesting, but when Topps goes to the high school stats, it's just agony.
The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames and Pop Culture tabs were updated. A couple of prominent athletes were born on March 21 of '85.
3 comments:
As a huge Kiner's Korner fan, I have never heard that little anecdote. That is fantastic.
The '85 card backs really need to have cartoons. But it is nice to have some expanded statistics like complete games and shutouts. I also like learning how players were drafted and acquired.
Geez, the '86 backs are pretty dull as well. I prefer the human interest stuff to the endless lists of stats.
Post a Comment