Wednesday, March 4, 2015

#386 - Dan Gladden


What a card: This is Dan Gladden's rookie card. Topps issued it after he finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1984 by batting .351 in 342 at-bats for the Giants.

My observation on the front: Choking up in the batting cage. That's a beautiful shot.

More opinion from me: How much advertising can you fit on one card? Well, there is logo for Topps and the Giants, of course. But if you find yourself wanting to purchase Starter jackets or Wilson sporting goods, you can blame the semi-subliminal messages for those products as well.

Something you might know: Gladden is one of seven players who were members of both the 1987 and 1991 World Series champion Twins teams.

Something you might not know: Gladden and Twins teammate Steve Lombardozzi were involved in a fistfight at Gladden's home in 1988. Gladden suffered a cracked ring finger and Lombardozzi showed up for work the next day with a black eye and a swollen face. The incident came about after Gladden and teammates took exception to Lombardozzi bolting to the clubhouse after being removed for a pinch-hitter during a game. Lombardozzi apparently went to Gladden's home to settle their differences.


My observation on the back: Gladden would never hit above .300 again and finished his career with a .270 batting average.

The blog wants to speak now: The TV category is updated.

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