#457 - Cecilio Guante

What a card: Cecilio Guante was entering what would be the most productive season of his career when this card was issued. After appearing in just 27 games in 1984, Guante would appear in 63 in 1985 and strike out 92.

My observation on the front: Guante looks very happy about what's ahead.

More opinion from me: It is the height of cool that Guante in Spanish means "glove," and Guante -- who is from the Dominican Republic -- displayed a giant "G" on his glove.

Something you might know: Guante was a devil-may-care thrower on the mound and would often throw sidearm, three-quarters, whatever.

Something you might not know: Guante missed time late in the 1986 season with a sprained wrist after teammate Mike Diaz started wrestling with Guante in the locker room and pinned his arm back.

My observation on the back: Pena was the Pirates' catcher in 1984-85. I suppose being a close personal friend with your own catcher isn't a given.

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

#456 - Tim Foli

What a card: This is the final base card of Tim Foli issued during his career. He played in 19 games in 1985 after being reacquired by the Pirates in December of 1984 but was released in June of 1985.

My observation on the front: Foli to me is a Pirate, Expo or Angel. This Yankee stuff does not compute.

More opinion from me: The first Foli card I think of is this. The second Foli card I think of is probably the one most other collectors think of first.

Something you might know: Foli was the starting shortstop for the We Are Family Pirates during their Series championship season of 1979. He enjoyed by far his best season that year.

Something you might not know: In Foli's one year with the Yankees, he wore a number that would become associated with a shortstop that appeared in pinstripes a decade later. Foli was the fourth-to-last player to wear the No. 2 before Derek Jeter.

 
My observation on the back: Ernie Foli played in the minors between 1962-68. He once hit an inside-the-park home run for Tulsa in a game in which teammate Walt Williams also hit an inside-the-park home run.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.
 

#455 - Bob Knepper

What a card: Bob Knepper was coming of what some termed a "turnaround season" given his 6-13 record in 1983 and 15-10 record in 1984. But his season wasn't all that different from the previous year when you look at the other stats. Just some hard luck in '83.

My observation on the front: There's a lot of snow on that card.

More opinion from me: Knepper was one of those guys who I disliked when he was with the Giants and liked when he was with the Astros.

Something you might know: Knepper is the winningest lefty in Astros history. He pitched the famed Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS that the Mets won in 16 innings. He started the game and shut out the Mets for eight innings before New York scored three in the ninth to send it into extra innings.

Something you might not know: A very religious man, Knepper caught major flack in 1988 when he said that women shouldn't be umpires and later described the National Organization for Women as "a bunch of lesbians." The controversy was touched off when Triple A umpire Pam Postema worked a major league spring training game. Interestingly, during his comments about women umpires, Knepper complimented Postema's umpiring skills.

My observation on the back: I wish we were still calling closers "firemen."

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

#454 - Glenn Wilson

What a card: This is Glenn Wilson's first Topps flagship card as a Philadelphia Phillie. He's with the Phillies in the 1984 Topps Traded set. He was dealt from the Tigers in a trade that landed Detroit two key pieces for its '84 World Series title run -- Willie Hernandez and Dave Bergman.

My observation on the front: Wilson's got some weird thing going on with his fingers. Better get a grip on that bat, the ball's coming.

More opinion from me: This is right before Wilson started wearing the large '80s glasses. He doesn't look like Glenn Wilson without those glasses.

Something you might know: Wilson's best asset was his throwing arm, and he led the National League in outfield assists three straight years between 1985-87.

Something you might not know: Wilson opened a gas station, called "Hit and Run Exxon," in January 1989 in his native Texas and worked there in the winter, pumping gas and fixing cars. Wilson was still playing major league baseball at the time (for the Pirates) and he said then that when he retired he planned to work the gas station full-time. But the gas station gig didn't last.

 My observation on the back: Baseball historians several years ago recalculated all of the runs scored in major league history and concluded that Bob Watson did not score MLB's one millionth run. (Who did is apparently a mystery).

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

#453 - Tom Waddell

What a card: This is the first Topps flagship card for Tom Waddell. He does appear in the 1984 Topps and Fleer traded sets.

My observation on the front: I'm wondering if those are the press box seats above Waddell.

More opinion from me: Waddell has three Topps flagship cards. They are remarkably similar.

Something you might know: Waddell set an Indians record for appearances by a rookie pitcher when he pitched in 58 games for Cleveland in 1984.

Something you might not know: Waddell is one of seven major league players born in Scotland. (He came to the U.S. as a child on the Queen Mary ocean liner). Most played in the 19th century and are not well-known. The other one is Bobby Thomson, who hit a home run you might have heard around the world.

 My observation on the back: The trivia question remains correct. Garry Templeton had over 100 hits from both sides of the plate in 1979 and Willie Wilson did the same in 1980. And that's been it.

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

#452 - John Castino

What a card: This is the final card of John Castino issued during his career. In fact his career was already over when this card was pulled out of packs. His last game was on May 7, 1984. He was forced to retire at age 29 because of continued back trouble.

My observation on the front: I really like the blue Twins jerseys and the red helmets. Those need to come back.

More opinion from me: I have no idea why Castino has a card in this set. He played in eight games in '84. No other trading card company issued a card of him.

Something you might know: Castino was the co-AL Rookie of the Year in 1979, sharing the award with the Blue Jays' Alfredo Griffin.

Something you might not know: Castino played a part in the demise of Tigers pitcher Dave Rozema. During a wild brawl in 1982, Rozema dashed out onto the field and tried to deliver a flying kung-fu kick to Castino. But Rozema missed, tore ligaments in his knee and missed the rest of the season.

My observation on the back: Julio Franco now holds the record for oldest position player in a league championship series. He was 48 when he played for the Mets in the 2006 NLCS.

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

#451 - Bruce Hurst

What a card: Bruce Hurst had completed his second straight 12-win, 12-loss season for the Red Sox when this card was issued.

My observation on the front: He looks determined.

More opinion from me: There was a period in the '70s and '80s when it seemed like the most important aspect of the Red Sox team was finding a top-line pitcher. The Red Sox always had the offense, but finding that lights-out pitcher seemed like the key to breaking "The Curse". Since I grew up in a family of Red Sox fans, I remember Boston fans pinning their hopes on certain pitchers and Bruce Hurst was one of them. Hurst pitched sporadically for Boston in 1980 and 1981, but I knew all about him long before he broke out in 1983 because I knew Red Sox fans were desperate for him to be great.

Something you might know: Hurst enjoyed a terrific World Series in 1986, pitching two victories for the Red Sox against the Mets. He was famously named MVP of the Series in Game 6 ... until Mookie Wilson's grounder went through Bill Buckner's legs.

Something you might not know: Hurst pitched five innings in the longest game in organized baseball. The 33-inning between the Red Sox's Pawtucket team and the Orioles' Rochester team featured 14 pitchers. Hurst was Pawtucket's seventh pitcher of the game and he threw five shutout innings. (It still wasn't as impressive as Rochester's Jim Umbarger, who threw 10 shutout innings between the 22nd and 32nd innings before the game was called and resumed two months later).

My observation on the back: For the longest time, I didn't know Hurst was from Utah. As a kid, I just assumed Red Sox players were grown on a farm in Massachusetts somewhere.

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

#450 - Steve Garvey

What a card: Steve Garvey was coming off a terrific season -- perhaps his best for the Padres (it's either 1984 or 1985) -- when this card was released. Garvey's performance during the '84 season, and especially in the NLCS against the Cubs, helped San Diego get to its first World Series.

My observation on the front: I've already mentioned several times the "RAK" initials appearing on the Padres jerseys in memory of owner Ray Kroc. This is the best look yet at those initials.

More opinion from me: There's that trademark Garvey smile for the camera. I didn't realize it then, but in viewing old interviews and ballgames of him, it's no wonder people called him a politician. He was always aware of the camera.

Something you might know: Terrific in spotlight moments like the playoffs and the All-Star Game, Garvey played in five World Series, four with the Dodgers and one with the Padres.

Something you might not know: Garvey grounded into the most double plays among NL players in 1984 with 25. He led the league twice in the category.

My observation on the back: The school in Lindsay, Calif., is still named Steve Garvey Junior High School.

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

#449 - Phil Bradley

What a card: This is Phil Bradley's first card in Topps flagship. He appeared in 1984 Topps Traded (as well as the Fleer Update set in '84).

My observation on the front: Bradley appears to have taken out the first base coach with that shot.

More opinion from me: The Mariners had two Bradleys on their team during the mid-1980s, with white catcher Scott Bradley also on the roster. I would confuse them periodically. ... hey, it was the Mariners. They're way on the other side of the country.

Something you might know: Bradley was on the verge of his best season when this card came out. He was probably Seattle's best hitter for a three-year period between 1985-87, making the All-Star Game in 1985.

Something you might not know: The Mariners asked Bradley to pose with Mark Langston and Alvin Davis on the roof of the Kingdome for a promotional photo heading into the 1985 season. Bradley refused. It didn't have anything to do with heights, he just thought he didn't deserve to be in that kind of company yet.

My observation on the back: Bradley led Missouri to bowl games three straight years as the Tigers' quarterback. They went to the Liberty Bowl twice and the All-American Bowl once. Missouri won two of the games.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.

#448 - Derrel Thomas

What a card: By the time that this card appeared in packs, Derrel Thomas had moved on to two other teams. He appears with the Phillies in the 1985 Topps Traded set, but before that he was purchased by the Angels in early September 1984. But Topps ignores that here and lets you keep believing that Thomas is still with the Expos.

My observation on the front: "OF-2B" is not the most common position designation on a baseball card. But it's not the rarest, as I documented on another blog.

More opinion from me: Thomas was my favorite utility-playing Dodger in the late '70s/early '80s. I actually used to pretend to be him when I played baseball.

Something you might know: Thomas played all over the field in his career and is often noted as one of the relatively few players to play more than one game at every position except pitcher. He even played catcher five times in 1980 (and once again at the end of his career).

Something you might not know: Thomas coached a high school team in the early 1990s. The starting shortstop fatally shot himself in the head while playing around with a gun while on the team bus as they returned home from a game.

My observation on the back: According to baseball-reference's uniform number listing for Thomas, he never wore No. 3 as a major leaguer. But he did wear No. 30 with the Padres, Giants, Dodgers and Angels.

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

#447 - Jeff Lahti

What a card: Jeff Lahti was entering the 1985 season after appearing in a career-high 63 games in 1984. He was used mostly as a set-up man for closer Bruce Sutter.

My observation on the front: It must be a cold day as Lahti has the long sleeves on.

More opinion from me: That's a very '80s mustache.

Something you might know: Lahti became the Cardinals' primary closer in 1985 after Sutter signed with the Braves. He saved a team-high 19 games as St. Louis reached the World Series.

Something you might not know: Lahti's daughter, Alyse, briefly dated Tiger Woods, and was known as Tiger's first "post-scandal girlfriend."

My observation on the back: Lahti's home town is so abbreviated I had to look it up. It turns out "H'd River" is "Hood River". I think they could have squeezed in a pair of O's.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated again. Famous people keep dying.