#697 - Onix Concepcion

What a card: Onix Concepcion was coming off what would be his most productive season in the majors when this card was issued. He batted .282 in 90 games in 1984. He received much more playing time in '85 but batted a mere .204.

My observation the front: Too many issues with this card. Printing flaws all over and the card is off-center and slightly miscut.

More opinion from me: I remember the first time I was aware of Onix Concepcion. It was during the 1980 World Series and Concepcion was inserted as a late-inning defensive replacement for the Royals against the Phillies. "Onix Concepcion?" I wondered. "Davey has a little brother?" Turns out they're not related.

Something you might know: Concepcion scored the game-tying run in the ninth inning of the famed Game 6 of the 1985 World Series. On base as a pinch-runner for Steve Balboni, who had singled after Jorge Orta reached on the blown call by umpire Don Denkinger, he knotted the game 1-1 on Dane Iorg's base hit, just before Jim Sundberg slid in for the second run to give the Royals the 2-1 victory.

Something you might not know: Concepcion hit the first pitch that the Royals saw in the 1984 season for a home run. It came against the Yankees' Ron Guidry on April 3 and led to a 4-2 KC victory.

My observation on the back: I don't really consider watching movies a hobby (or watching TV, for that matter). But I suppose there are people that don't think card collecting is much of a hobby.

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

#696 - John Rabb

What a card: This is John Rabb's second and final Topps card. He first appeared in the 1984 Topps set.

My observation on the front: That is a hopeful expression on Mr. Rabb's face. I can tell it's spring training.

More opinion from me: Gotta love the helmet.

Something you might know: Rabb was a backup catcher for the Giants and was groomed to succeed Bob Brenly as the starter, but hitting in the majors was a problem for Rabb.

Something you might not know: While playing for the Mariners in 1988, Rabb was suspended indefinitely by major league baseball for failing to comply with Commissioner Peter Ueberroth's new drug-testing program. Rabb wouldn't play in the majors again, moving on to the Mexican League for two seasons.

My observation on the back: Matt Stairs now holds the record for career pinch-hit home runs with 23. Cliff Johnson finished his career with 20.

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

#695 - Rick Rhoden

What a card: Rick Rhoden continued to a be a consistent winner for the Pirates in 1984, recording 14 victories with a 2.72 ERA in 33 starts.

My observation on the front: Even though Rhoden wore that mustache throughout the '80s, I still associate him with his Dodger days and that stache was not there then.

More opinion from me: I was rather unhappy when Rhoden was traded to the Pirates in '79. I had been a fan since he went 12-3 in 1976 (with 10 complete games!). Jerry Reuss was a good get for the Dodgers, but it still pains me a little.

Something you might know: Rhoden was a solid starter for the Dodgers, Pirates and Yankees and probably equally well-known for his hitting prowess, winning the Silver Slugger Award for his position three separate years.

Something you might not know: Rhoden was part of trade that fell through between the Yankees and the Giants after the 1988 season. The Yankees would send Rhoden and Don Mattingly to the Giants for Will Clark and pitchers Atlee Hammaker and Craig Lefferts. But the Giants scrapped the deal after learning that another of their pitchers, Dave Dravecky, had a tumor on his pitching arm.

My observation on the back: This is one of those bright green backs that pop up every so often in this set. It's not really a variation (unless you want to make it one).

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

#694 - Joe Carter

What a card: This is Joe Carter's first Topps card. He first appears in a major set as a Rated Rookie, and a Chicago Cub, in 1984 Donruss.

My observation on the front: That is a pretty terrific photo for your first Topps card. I daresay he didn't have one as good until 1992 Topps.

More opinion from me: Dammit, I wanted the Phillies to win.

Something you might know: Carter is one of only two players to end a World Series with a walk-off home run. If you don't know the first, then why in the world are you reading a baseball card blog?

Something you might not know: Carter runs a golf tournament in Toronto that benefits the Children's Aid Foundation and attracts a number of celebrities. One of those celebrities one year was Mitch Williams, who gave up Carter's walk-off homer in 1993. Carter's family was there and Carter introduced Williams to them. Williams' response: "Oh, man, this is just what I need. Everybody looks like Joe Carter."

My observation on the back: The trivia answer was outdated by the end of 1985. Vince Coleman stole 110 bases as a rookie in '85.

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

#693 - Tim Stoddard

What a card: Tim Stoddard had completed his one and only season with the Cubs when this card was issued. He would sign in the offseason with the team that beat Chicago in the NLCS in 1984, the Padres.

My observation on the front: I don't know what's going on with Stoddard here. He looks all red-faced and worn out like he just ran laps in that jacket.

More opinion from me: My guess is the first very tall pitcher I knew was J.R. Richard. But Stoddard had to be not far after that. His height was very impressive in the '79 World Series.

Something you might know: Stoddard was the Orioles' closer in 1980 after Don Stanhouse signed with the Dodgers. Stoddard saved 26 games that season.

Something you might not know: Stoddard played a part in the end of UCLA's seven straight NCAA basketball championships. He and his North Carolina State teammates beat UCLA in the Final Four in 1974 and Stoddard was one of the key defenders on UCLA star Bill Walton.

My observation on the back: Tough question there.

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

#692 - Randy Bush

What a card: Randy Bush continued to be a regular platoon player in right and left field and the Twins' main pinch-hitter in 1984. He tied for the American League pinch-hitting lead by going 8-for-20 (.400).

My observation on the front: That looks like a very pleasant spring training day.

More opinion from me: The Twins' red hats are 😍.

Something you might know: Bush is one of seven players to appear on both World Championship Twins teams in 1987 and 1991.

Something you might not know: Bush once hit a home run that traveled more than 200 miles. While playing in the minor leagues for Toledo during a road game against Charleston in 1982, Bush blasted a shot over the right field wall that landed on moving coal train. The train traveled 200 more miles with the ball until coming to a rest.

My observation on the back: I miss watching televised games from County Stadium.

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

#691 - Dennis Rasmussen

What a card: This is Dennis Rasmussen's first Topps card. He appears in the 1984 Donruss set with the Padres.

My observation on the front: I think you get a good idea that Rasmussen is 6-foot-7 from this card.

More opinion from me: I remember Rasmussen winning 18 games for the Yankees in 1985 and thinking "who the heck is this guy?"

Something you might know: Rasmussen came to the Yankees in the trade that sent Graig Nettles to the Padres. Nettles claims he was dealt because George Steinbrenner didn't like the third basemen's just-published book, "Balls".

Something you might not know: Rasmussen played college basketball for Creighton University. In 1978, Rasmussen's Creighton team played Larry Bird's Indiana State team three times ... and won all three games.

My observation on the back: Bill Brubaker played infield for the Pirates in the mid-1930s.

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

#690 - Alan Trammell

What a card: Alan Trammell had reached another level in 1983 and 1984, batting .319 and .314, respectively. Still, it was a prelude to his monster 1987 season.

My observation on the front: This card seems to sum up Trammell: solid, unspectacular, quietly effective, and I really have nothing else to say about it.

More opinion from me: Still annoyed at Trammell for being a Diamondbacks coach when they had that fight with the Dodgers. I probably should let that go, but I'm still waiting for the Diamondbacks to be contracted first.

Something you might know: Part of the longest continuous double play combination in MLB history (with Lou Whitaker), Trammell is one of the players often cited for Hall of Fame enshrinement. He was the MVP of the 1984 World Series.

Something you might not know: When Trammell was a kid growing up in San Diego, he attended Padres games. Once, when the Padres were playing the Pirates, he and a friend got Pirates coach and Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski to play catch with them on the field.

My observation on the back: John Denny's win was in Game 1 of the World Series, a 2-1 victory for the Phillies.

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

#689 - Luis DeLeon

What a card: Luis DeLeon's playing time and performance took a dive in 1984. After two solid seasons of 60-plus games for the Padres, DeLeon managed just 32 games in 1984 and an ERA of 5.48. He didn't make it onto the Padres' postseason roster.

My observation on the front: Love those sky blue backdrops.

More opinion from me: With the Padres' letters obscured on DeLeon's uniform, he looks like he's just wearing a loud shirt.

Something you might know: DeLeon finished fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1982 as he saved 15 games for San Diego. He split save opportunities with Gary Lucas in 1982 and 1983.

Something you might not know: Luis is one of four brothers named Luis (his father is named Luis, too). DeLeon was called "Mambo" to distinguish him from his brothers.

My observation on the back: Brother Luis played in the Boston and Cleveland organizations. Desiderio played in the Expos organization.

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

#688 - Len Matuszek

What a card: Len Matuszek had already moved on to the Blue Jays (and then the Dodgers) when this card was issued. But in 1984, he appeared in more than 100 games for the first time in his career.

My observation on the front: That is a player standing ramrod straight.

More opinion from me: I was a little too gleeful when the Dodgers acquired Matuszek (for Al Oliver for crying out loud!). I don't know why I expected big things from him.

Something you might know: Matuszek took over as the Phillies' starting first baseman from Pete Rose, who was released after the 1983 season. But Matuszek lasted just the one season.

Something you might not know: Matuszek was a full-time caregiver for a mentally handicapped man named Andy as of 11 years ago. This story about it is awesome.

My observation on the back: The Pirates still have lost the most LCS but the total is now seven. The Braves, Cardinals and Dodgers are tied for second with six. The highest total in the American League is five, proving that the most heartache is in the NL.

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

#687 - Bill Gullickson

What a card: Bill Gullickson was coming off his third straight double-figure victory season for the Expos when this card was issued. He'd hit double figures again in 1985 with 14 wins for Montreal.

My observation on the front: I love this card. It's a throwback to cards from the '70s with a true baseball background. It's spring training and you can find a player or two, possibly some reporters and, of course, fans.

More opinion from me: I don't remember if Gullickson or Catfish Hunter was the first athlete that I knew of having diabetes. (Ron Santo is probably the most notable baseball diabetic but he played before I started following sports). I do remember when news came out that Gullickson had Type 1 diabetes.

Something you might know: Gullickson set a rookie record for the most strikeouts in a game when he fanned 18 Cubs in 1980. He kept the record until the Cubs' Kerry Wood struck out 20 in 1998.

Something you might not know: Each of Gullickson's six children have a first name starting with "C" -- Callie, Carley, Cassie, Chelsey, Chloe and Craig.

My observation on the front: The word "traveling" has just one "l" unless you're in Great Britain. In the U.S., multi-syllable words in which the stress is on the first syllable do not feature a doubled final consonant when adding "-ing" or "-ed". Meanwhile, British writing favors longer words so the consonants are automatically doubled. And there's your grammar lesson on your baseball card blog.

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