#67T - Bruce Kison

What a card: Bruce Kison signed as a free agent with the Red Sox on Jan. 14, 1985.

How'd that go: Kison, who just passed away last June, pitched one season for the Red Sox, appearing in 22 games. That was his final season in a 15-year major league career.

Backatya: The word "scoot" isn't used enough.

Back-to-back: Another case where I like both photos. The flagship card might be more appropriate for someone at the end of his career, but Kison would have one more Topps card, in the 1986 set.

The flagship card is No. 544 and was originally blogged on June 17, 2016.

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

#66T - Steve Kemp

What a card: Steve Kemp moved from the Yankees to the Pirates on Dec. 20, 1984 in the deal that sent Dale Berra and Jay Buhner to the Yankees.

How'd that go: Almost the end of the line for Kemp. He generated one season in 1985 that was much like his dismal show with the Yankees except without the power. The Pirates released him in 1986. He played in a handful of games for Texas in 1988.

Backatya: When I posted Kemp's flagship card with this trivia question, 16 players had formed the four-homer club. That total is now 18 with Scooter Gennett and J.D. Martinez joining in 2017. 

Back-to-back: In the world of hatless Steve Kemp cards, his '85 Traded card cannot compare to his '82 Traded card.

The flagship card is way off center and card No. 120 and was originally blogged on Dec. 4, 2012. 

The blog wants to speak now: The Music category is updated with the final Top 5 chart of the year.

#65T - Ruppert Jones

What a card: Ruppert Jones joined what would be his sixth and final team when he signed as a free agent with the California Angels on Jan. 30, 1985.

How'd that go: Jones rediscovered his power stroke in 1985, hitting 21 homers for his most in a season since 1979 when he also hit 21, but in 37 more games. But the rest of his offense struggled during three years with the Angels and his career ended after the 1987 season.

Backatya: The Mariners and the Yankees trade constantly -- there was just a deal between the two teams earlier this month -- and the relationship goes back to 1979 when in the first trade between the two teams, the Yankees acquired Jones from Seattle in a deal for four players. The trade backfired on New York as Jones struggled in just one year with the team.

Back-to-back: Two solid cards for Ruppert, although I'd give his flagship card an edge.

The flagship card is No. 126 and originally blogged on Dec. 19, 2012.

The blog wants to speak now: Nope, the blog and I are done tonight. I drove eight hours today. Going to call it a night.

#64T - Howard Johnson

What a card: Howard Johnson came to the Mets in a trade that sent pitcher Walt Terrell to the Tigers on Dec. 7, 1984.

How'd that go: Johnson got off to a bit of a rough start with New York but blossomed in 1987 and spent nine seasons with the Mets.

Backatya: When I posted Howard Johnson's flagship card five years ago, I updated the losses for the team with the most losses, the Phillies. Since that time, they've lost nearly 500 more times and are still leading with 10,919 for their history. The Braves are about 400 losses behind.

Back to back: Johnson is shown in two easily identifiable stadiums, although I like the Tigers photo better. The best thing about the Mets card is it shows Johnson in the Howard Johnson's restaurant colors for the first time.

The flagship card is No. 192 and was originally blogged on July 20, 2013.

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

#63T - Cliff Johnson

What a card: Cliff Johnson signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers on Dec. 5, 1984. It was his seventh major league team.

How'd that go: Johnson was well on his way to the same kind of season produced for the Blue Jays the previous year when he was traded from the Rangers back to the Blue Jays in a late-August deadline deal.

Backatya: The factoid assumes you're up on baseball and know who Mike Easler is. But keep in mind that this is the same set that asks "who plays in Tiger Stadium" in its trivia questions.

Back-to-back: Mighty swings from Cliff in each, but that flagship card is flat-out awesome. It was originally blogged on Aug. 24, 2016. It's card No. 568.

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

#62T - Steve Jeltz

What a card: This is the 17th rookie card in the 1985 Traded set. Steve Jeltz appeared in 89 games for the Phillies in 1985 but hit just .189.

My observation on the front: That hair. That IS the mid-1980s. Ready For The World.

More opinion from me: Steve Jeltz, and his career .210 batting average, epitomizes the bad 1980s Phillies teams.

Something you might know: Jeltz is one of fewer than 10 major league baseball players born in France.

Something you might not know: After his career, Jeltz worked a year as a bounty hunter. A family friend asked Jeltz for money to help bail out his son, so Jeltz signed a $5,000 bond. Weeks later the bail bondsman called Jeltz and said the friend hadn't appeared in court, they couldn't find him and Jeltz would have to pay the $5,000. Jeltz found his friend in a matter of hours and the owner of the bail bond company was so impressed, he offered Jeltz a bounty hunter job.

My observation on the back: I believe Rose still is the oldest position player to appear in the Championship Series. The players older than Rose who have since appeared in an LCS (Roger Clemens, Jamie Moyer) are pitchers.

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

#61T - Bob James

What a card: Bob James came to the White Sox in a deal that sent infielder Vance Law to the Expos on Dec. 7, 1984.

How'd that go: Another case of it working out fine if you don't go beyond the first year. James' first season with the White Sox was a career best as he saved 32 games in 69 appearances and posted a 2.13 ERA. Injuries would take over from there.

Backatya: Jogging and bowling are tried-and-true hobbies. They almost sound old-fashioned. 

Back-to-back: James appears to be signing an autograph in his Traded card, but for me it doesn't match the awesomeness of his flagship card.

The flagship card is No. 114 and was originally blogged on Nov. 14, 2012, a shade over six years ago.

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

#60T - Tim Hulett

What a card: This is the 16th rookie card in the 1985 Topps Traded set. Tim Hulett appeared in 141 games during his rookie year of 1985, although he came to the plate just 437 times.

My observation on the front: Seeing Hulett take batting practice in those wacky old White Sox duds in ancient old Tiger Stadium gives me all kinds of nostalgies.

More opinion from me: Hulett is 6-feet tall. He looks like a toothpick.

Something you might know: Hulett's son, Tug, played in 45 major league games for the Mariners and Royals as a utility player in 2008 and 2009.

Something you might not know: When Hulett was still playing, his 6-year-old son, Sam, was killed when he was struck by a car. Hulett was placed on the disabled list because Major League Baseball didn't have a rule in place for bereavement leave. The MLB bereavement list was established in 2007. Wikipedia says Hulett's situation helped lead to the establishment of the bereavement list, but I couldn't find a direct connection.

My observation on the back: Regarding the trivia question, I wrote a post on the other blog stating that the above achievement likely never happened.

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

#59T - LaMarr Hoyt

What a card: LaMarr Hoyt traveled from the White Sox to the Padres in a Dec. 6, 1984 trade that sent Ozzie Guillen, Luis Salazar, Tim Lollar and Bill Long to the White Sox.

How'd that go: Great for the first year. Coming off an 18-loss season, Hoyt went 16-8 for the Padres in 1985, started the All-Star Game and was named MVP of the game. But he was out of the majors by 1987.

Backatya: Small sample-size but that's nearly two home runs a game!

Back-to-back: Hoyt got to wear two of the most distinctive mid-1980s uniforms in Major League Baseball. Can't say I liked either of them.

The flagship card is No. 520 in the set and was originally blogged on April 6, 2016.

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

#58T - Ken Howell

What a card: This is the 15th rookie card in the 1985 Topps Update set. Ken Howell emerged as one of the top back-end bullpen guys for the Dodgers in 1985, appearing in 56 games and saving 12.

My observation on the front: Howell doesn't seem to be feeling this photo session. What pitcher holds his glove like that? Get it up high, Howell!

More opinion from me: The Howell-Niedenfuer days of the Dodgers bullpen came down to "which one is going to blow it this time?" Although after this past season, I might be willing to take my chances with the '85 pair.

Something you might know: Howell was a fireballing reliever for the Dodgers who had control issues. He ended up as a starter for the Phillies, but injury problems shortened his career.

Something you might not know: Howell has been hospitalized several times due to various diabetes-related conditions. He worked as an assistant pitching coach and bullpen coach for the Dodgers until 2015 when he was unable to report to spring training due to continuing health problems. (EDIT: Howell died at age 57, two days after this post was published).

My observation on the back: My guess is that several players have surpasses Reggie Jackson in the number of Championship Series games. But LCS stats aren't the easiest to find.

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

#57T - Jay Howell

What a card: Jay Howell arrived with the A's after being traded from the Yankees on Dec. 5, 1984 in the deal that brought Rickey Henderson to New York.

How'd that go: Howell achieved his first All-Star Game selection in 1985 when he saved a career-high 29 games for the A's that season.

Backatya: A physical education degree to me says you don't want to have anything to do with any job that doesn't involve sports.

Back-to-back: The Traded card can't compare with the flagship card, but I like how the background on the Traded card is color-coded with Howell's uniform. Just wish I could read some of the billboards.

The flagship card is No. 559 and was originally blogged on July 29, 2016.

The blog wants to speak now: The Other Cards category is updated.

#56T - Burt Hooton

What a card: Burt Hooton signed as a free agent with the Rangers on Dec. 20, 1984, after 10 years with the Dodgers.

How'd that go: Well, he pitched one season for the Rangers, posting a 5.23 ERA in 29 games (20 starts) and retired after the season.

Backatya: Hooton's well-known nickname is "Happy," bestowed upon him because of his perpetual glum nature. The nickname was likely created by Tom Lasorda while they both were in the Dominican Republic that offseason. The two had joined other ballplayers in a packed hotel room on New Year's Eve as they counted down to 1975. During the revelry Lasorda happened to look at Hooton, who was in the corner playing solitaire. "Hey!" Lasorda yelled. "Doesn't he look happy? It's 'Happy' Hooton."

Back-to-back: I'm not sure when I first saw the card of Hooton as a Ranger, but it looked very odd to me seeing him dressed as anything but a Dodger. He lasted longer with the Dodgers than many of his well-known teammates from the 1970s.

The flagship card is No. 201 in the set. It was originally blogged on Aug. 13, 2013.

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