1985 Topps

#22 - Duane Kuiper

2012-03-02T01:36:00.003-05:00

What a card: This is the final card issued of Duane Kuiper during his career. The Giants released Kuiper on June 28, 1985. Kuiper spent a little over three years with San Francisco, backing up Joe Morgan and then Manny Trillo at second base.

My observation on the front: Not a photo you see every day. Cradling a helmet with one arm while putting on his batting gloves. Looks like he's getting ready to pinch-hit. Nice.

More opinion from me: I don't have pleasant things to say about Kuiper. He's well-noted as a San Francisco Giants broadcaster, saying nice stuff about the Giants, acting like they're an actual team with actual fans that people actually care about. We all know that's not true. He's a low-voiced propagandist.

Something you might know: Kuiper holds the record for the most career at-bats with only one home run. He finished his career with 3,379 at-bats and a single home run with the Cleveland Indians in 1977.

Something you might not know: A few cards ago, I mentioned that Chet Lemon held the third worst stolen base percentage for players with at least 100 attempts at 41.8 percent. Well, Kuiper is right down there with Lemon at 42.2 (52-for-123).

My observation on the back: Where do they get the "greatest baseball thrill" tidbits? Are the players actually asked or does a Topps writer just look at the player's bio and say, "well THAT had to be a thrill"? (The no-hitters were pitched by Dennis Eckersley and Len Barker).

The blog wants to speak now: Just about every tab, except "Music," "TV" and "Other Cards," has been updated. I need to get some scanning done to add some pretty pictures to some of the timelines.

#21 - Lee Tunnell

2012-02-28T12:57:00.000-05:00

What a card: Lee Tunnell was a little over a year removed from finishing ninth in the N.L. Rookie of the Year voting when this card came out. He received one vote to finish far behind winner Darryl Strawberry in 1983.

My observation on the front: The Pirates' gold-and-black uniforms and pinstriped caps were past peak by this point, almost on their way out, but they sure do bring back memories no matter what year.

More opinion from me: I somehow ended up with a dozen dupes of this card -- so many that quite some time ago, I cut them up and made a post with them.

Something you might know: Tunnell's major league career ran from 1982-89, but he pitched in professional ball through 1995, throwing in Japan, the minor leagues and Mexico.

Something you might not know: Tunnell was arrested for offering to engage in an act of prostitution in 2009, according to this report, which is particularly jarring considering Tunnell helped form the Ambassadors, an evangelical baseball team made up of members who spread their faith while playing baseball and conducting baseball clinics.

My observation on the back: Tunnell's 1984 season is the definition of the sophomore slump.

The blog wants to speak now: Updating of the various tabs has been on hiatus for a few days. Updates coming soon.

#20 - Chet Lemon

2012-02-23T01:08:00.004-05:00

What a card: This is the first card of the defending World Series champion Detroit Tigers. Chet Lemon was the starting center fielder for the 1984 Tigers.

My observation on the front: A nice action shot of Lemon batting in old Tiger Stadium. Takes me back.

More opinion from me: Lemon was one of those players that I thought I pulled every year as a kid. I was convinced that I had every card issued of Lemon and Garry Maddox. I actually didn't, but because I thought I did, they automatically became favorites. You know those guys who didn't play on your favorite team but you still liked? Lemon was one of those guys. Nowadays when I pull a player's card repeatedly (*cough* Carlos Lee), he doesn't become a favorite. Instead I start to resent the player. How did I get so cranky?

Something you might know: Lemon played the outfield his entire major league career, but was an infielder in the minor leagues. When he broke into the majors with the White Sox in 1975, he played third base.

Something you might not know: Lemon's career "success" rate in stolen bases is the third-lowest among players with at least 100 attempts in major league history. He succeeded just 41.8 percent of the time in over 130 attempts.

My observation on the back: Other major leaguers to come out of Fremont in L.A. are Willie Crawford, Eric Davis, Bobby Tolan, Bobby Doerr, and someone who became more famous as a manager, Gene Mauch.

The blog wants to speak now: The Music and Pop Culture tabs are updated.

#19 - George Frazier

2012-02-21T01:35:00.003-05:00

What a card: George Frazier finished out the 1984 season with the Cubs after beginning it with the Indians. He was traded to the Cubs in mid-June in the deal that brought Joe Carter to the Indians. I'm impressed that Topps was able to get a picture of him in a Cubs uniform -- albeit, not a great picture.

My observation on the front: Frazier appears to be in mid-sentence in this photo, which is appropriate as he's a color commentator for the Colorado Rockies now.

More opinion from me: During the beginning of last season, when MLB runs its free Extra Innings preview, I caught a Rockies game or two and was horrified by their announcers. Frazier was one of the broadcasters. The whole crew sounded like unprofessional homers. I don't know if that's an accurate observation as I saw only 1 or 2 games, but I remember being immediately appalled.

Something you might know: Frazier is known as the only pitcher to lose three World Series games in a seven-game series. He did it in 1981 while pitching for the Yankees against my Dodgers. He's practically my hero. (P.S.: He also pitched for a World Series winner, the 1987 Twins).

Something you might not know: Frazier gave up 11 hits and 10 runs in 1 1/3 innings while pitching for the Yankees on Aug. 3, 1982. In the second game of a doubleheader against the White Sox, he allowed more runs in a shorter span of time than any other pitcher in 25 years. The White Sox won 14-2, but Frazier didn't even get the loss.

My observation on the back: I wonder if pitchers get annoyed when home runs are mentioned on the back of their cards?

The blog wants to speak now: Not a lot to say. Updated the Ballgames and Pop Culture categories with some minor stuff.

#18 - Mickey Hatcher

2012-02-18T15:01:00.002-05:00

What a card: Mickey Hatcher receives a rather nice card coming off his best statistical season in the major leagues. In 1984, Hatcher played in nearly 40 more games than he would in any other season. He compiled 174 hits, 35 doubles and a .302 batting average.

My observation on the front: I love the close-up view, Hatcher choking up on the bat, and the off-center positioning of the batter. Unfortunately, this card also displays a drawback of the '85 set -- off-center/miscut cards. I purchased the whole set at the start of the 1985 collecting season and there are several cards in the set that are off-center like this.

More opinion from me: Hatcher played exactly one game at third base in 1984. One. The rest of his time was in the outfield or at designated hitter.

Something you might know: Hatcher was known as a wacky prankster, the man with the giant glove, and a clutch guy off the bench who hit two home runs in the 1988 World Series for the Dodgers, despite having hit only one during the regular season. He is a longtime Angels coach.

Something you might not know: When Hatcher was a prospect in the Dodgers organization, he was considered the eventual third base replacement for my favorite player Ron Cey. But his fielding wasn't up to par, and -- with the exception of Adrian Beltre -- the Dodgers are still looking for Cey's suitable replacement.

My observation on the back: Misaligned stats -- as with Hatcher's 1983 and 1984 seasons -- drove me nuts when I was young.

The blog wants to speak now: The first Other Cards category entry should be up by the end of the day.

#17 - Mike Scott

2012-02-16T02:08:00.002-05:00

What a card: Life was about to change for Mike Scott in 1985. That year, he met up with pitching coach Roger Craig, who taught the struggling pitcher the split-fingered fastball, a pitch that was all the rage at the time. Scott would use it to become a 20-game winner and 300-strikeout pitcher.

My observation the front: Scott has that hair that half the boys in my graduating class -- including me -- had in the '80s. It's a wonder we didn't all fly away.

More opinion from me: Scott might be most famous these days as one of the greatest pitching cheats in major league history. He was constantly accused of scuffing the ball, especially during the 1986 NLCS when the Mets could not hit him at all. Scott, years later, admitted to scuffing balls periodically. Personally, I thought it was wonderful. Scott was absolutely dominating, and there is nothing that howls louder than a New York fan. It was beautiful.

Something you might know: The Mets traded Scott to the Astros for Danny Heep on Dec. 10, 1982, a trade that did not go their way at all. That probably caused some howls from Mets fans, too.

Something you might not know: Scott is one of six pitchers who has thrown a no-hitter after he left the Mets. (The others are Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, David Cone and Hideo Nomo). No pitcher has ever thrown a no-hitter for the Mets.

My observation on the back: Scott's pitching totals are pretty pathetic at this point. He would go on to become the third winningest pitcher in Astros history.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the Ballgames, Music and News categories. I should have the first Other Cards entry up on the weekend.

#16 - Bobby Meacham

2012-02-14T00:28:00.001-05:00

What a card: This is the second-year card of Bobby Meacham. He had just finished his first season as the primary starting shortstop for the Yankees.

My observation on the front: I love seeing photos of Yankee players in spring training. Not because I have any affection for the Yankees -- you know me better than that -- but because there are so many card photos of Yankees (and players on other teams) in Yankee Stadium. It's refreshing to see a Yankee somewhere else.

More opinion from me: Those who grew up knowing only Derek Jeter as the Yankees' shortstop maybe don't know what a wasteland the shortstop position was for the Yankees during the '80s. After Meacham, who was basically booted from his starting role because he had problems hitting and fielding, came Wayne Tolleson, Rafael Santana, Alvaro Espinoza and Andy Stankiewicz.

Something you might know: Meacham is the Astros' first base coach.

Something you might not know: Meacham was involved in one of the more memorable '80s play-at-the-plate moments on Aug. 2, 1985. That was the game when White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk tagged out two Yankees at the plate, Meacham and Dale Berra. On a Rickey Henderson double, Meacham waited to see if the ball might be caught. Berra didn't. And Ozzie Guillen, taking a throw from Luis Salazar, threw to Fisk who tagged Meacham and then Berra.

My observation on the back: The bio blurb is a little strange. Meacham attended college for only three years because he signed with the Cardinals after being drafted as the eighth overall pick. But how are you supposed to take that sentence -- awesome, he went to college for three years?

The blog wants to speak now: Just one update in the News category today. Something about some league called the "USFL."

#15 - Jerry Koosman

2012-02-11T23:24:00.000-05:00

What a card: Jerry Koosman had just completed his first season back in the National League since the day he was traded from the Mets to the Twins on Dec. 8, 1978. It also marked his return to full-time starting as he was a reliever and spot starter with the White Sox from 1981-83.

My observation on the front: I've said several times that I really like the Phillies cards in this set. Something about the burgundy-and-gray color combination on the bottom. It doesn't go well with the photo in this case -- the powder blue uniform is throwing things off -- but we'll see some other Phillies cards that I think look great.

More opinion from me: Don't you love a baseball card blog that goes off-topic into color selection? Sorry. I gotta be me.

Something you might know: Koosman is a free man after serving six months in jail for tax evasion. He was released in the summer of 2010.

Something you might not know: The famous "Shoe Polish Incident" in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series may have been affected by Koosman, a fact that he brought to light 20 years after the incident. In the sixth inning of Game 5, Orioles pitcher Dave McNally bounced a pitch to the plate with Cleon Jones at-bat. The Orioles claimed the ball hit nothing but dirt, but the Mets claimed it hit Jones in the foot. Mets manager Gil Hodges won the argument by showing the umpire the ball, which had a spot of shoe polish on it. However, Koosman said in interviews years later that Hodges, before he spoke to the umpire, told Koosman to rub the ball on his shoe. Hodges then brought the ball to the ump and Jones was awarded first base.

My observation on the back: It's hard to see here, but Koosman's won-loss records in 1977 and 1978 were awful. 8-20 and 3-15. The once-proud Mets had fallen way out of contention. Tom Seaver had been traded and Koosman demanded a trade from Mets management. I was a Koosman fan as a kid and I was disturbed by those stats. When Koosman won 20 games in his first year with the Twins, that made me happy.

The blog wants to speak now: A "Games of 1985" feature has been started up in the Pop Culture tab. I've also updated the News tab.

#14 - Chris Bando

2012-02-09T01:51:00.000-05:00

What a card: Finally! We have a player who was still with the same team when his card came out in 1985. Chris Bando was a Cleveland Indian for almost his entire career. He played one game with the Tigers and one game with the A's at the end of his career in 1989.

My observation on the front: The duplicate Chief Wahoo logos are a little distracting.

More opinion from me: Bando appears to be wearing a warm-up jersey, the kind of thing you see in actual games now. I don't like it when teams break out the batting practice tops for games. I'm not sure who is to blame for this.

Something you might know: Bando is the younger brother of Sal Bando, the third baseman for the Swingin' A's, who won three straight World Series titles from 1972-74. Chris Bando also worked for the Brewers when Sal Bando was Milwaukee's GM in the late 1990s.

Something you might not know: Bando says he had vision in only one eye during his playing career.

My observation on the front: The "reading the Bible" reference is appropriate because Bando is now the head coach at San Diego Christian College. However, I do not know if he still performs aerobics.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the News category. I also updated the TV category with an episode of David Letterman. 1985 was the year I discovered Letterman's show and I loved it instantly. Remember when he used to give out collapsible drinking cups and sponges as prizes?

#13 - Tim Lollar

2012-02-07T00:38:00.003-05:00

What a card: Another out-of-date card. This is the third straight one. By the time this card appeared in packs on store shelves, Tim Lollar was a member of the Chicago White Sox. He was traded on Dec. 6, 1984 in the deal that sent LaMarr Hoyt to the Padres (a young Ozzie Guillen was also involved in the trade).

My observation on the front: The Padres' brown-and-gold jerseys and the Swinging Friar are just the way things should be in San Diego. Bring it all back.

More opinion from me: I'm just noticing this, but the position designation on these cards seems a little awkward. It almost looks like Topps accidentally left a "P" out of Lollar's last name and is trying to squeeze it in there.

Something you might know: Lollar was coming off the only World Series appearance of his career at the start of the '85 season. (Lollar pitched for the 1986 Red Sox, but didn't make it into a postseason game that year). He started Game 3 of the 1984 World Series against the Tigers and was rocked for four runs in the second inning. He lasted just 1 2/3 innings.

Something you might not know: Lollar is now a golf pro in Colorado. He started to get serious about golf during spring training with the Red Sox in 1986 -- his final major league season. When he wasn't working out with the team, he was on the golf course.

My observation on the back: As a member of the media, I know that dating the people that you cover is a no-no. But I guess love conquers all.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the movie, music and news categories. FYI: January 21, 1985 was a pretty damn cold day no matter where you were.

#12 - Dave Lopes

2012-02-04T14:49:00.000-05:00

What a card: Topps is trying to catch up for the second card in a row. First it featured a manager who was no longer a manager. Now it features a player no longer with the team shown in the photo and in the graphic. Dave Lopes was sent from the A's to the Cubs on Aug. 31, 1984 to complete an earlier deal. So Lopes actually played for the Cubs in 1984 and Topps either couldn't find a photo of Lopes as a Cub or wouldn't airbrush a photo of Lopes into a Cubs uniform.

My observation on the front: The "Now With Cubs" notation was very unusual for Topps at this time and might be the first time I ever saw such a thing on a baseball card (I do remember the '89 Topps Jody Davis "Now With Braves" listing very well). Of course, the "Now With ..." was very common in O-Pee-Chee sets during this time, which is probably where Topps borrowed the idea.

Also, this is the first time that Lopes is listed as an outfielder on the front of his card. Lopes did start out as an outfielder, but by the time he was included in baseball cards he was a second baseman.

More opinion from me: This was a dark period for a Dodger fan who grew up with the Dodgers teams of the '70s. Seeing any veteran Dodger -- Cey, Garvey, Lopes, Yeager, John, Sutton, Baker, Smith, Rau, etc. -- in anything other than a Dodger uniform was unsettling.

Something you might know: Lopes set a record for stealing 38 straight bases without getting caught in 1975, breaking a 53-year-old record. Vince Coleman broke Lopes' record in 1989.

Something you might not know: Lopes is listed as growing up in East Providence, R.I., but the recreation center that features his name, the "Davey Lopes Center," is in South Providence, R.I., and insists that Lopes grew up in South Providence.

My observation on the back: Here we get our first glimpse of some of the personal facts that '85 Topps put on the back of its cards. Ever wanted to know the exact name of Lopes' wife and when they were married? Now you know.

The blog wants to speak now: In honor of the Super Bowl, I have updated the Ballgames, TV, Pop Culture and News categories, all with Super Bowl references. Of course, this is Super Bowl XIX we're talking about here, not Super Bowl XLVI.

#11 - Ralph Houk

2012-02-01T01:20:00.000-05:00

What a card: Well, well, the first non-subset card in the set isn't even of a player. In fact, it's not even of a manager who was managing when this set hit store shelves. Ralph Houk retired from managing in October of 1984. His replacement was John McNamara.

My observation on the front: This was the third straight year that Topps used manager cards that doubled as team checklists on the back. Topps would continue this practice through the 1980s. I'm all for manager cards, and I loved their reappearance in 1983. But I didn't like the checklist on the back. I preferred the 1978 Topps manager cards in which there was bio information and even player stats from the manager's playing days.

More observation from me: I like managers because they are a connection to a past era of baseball. "The Major" was managing in the early '60s for crying out loud! It was terrific to pull a card of someone who had that connection.

Something you might know: Houk was nicknamed "The Major" because that was his rank in the Army during World War II. He was a veteran of The Battle of the Bulge and awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Silver Star.

Something you might not know: Houk had a fiery temper, which only occasionally led to a scene outside of an umpire's ejection. Houk was reported to have punched out actor/singer Gordon McRae, known for his performance in the musicals Oklahoma! and Carousel, for having a little too much fun dancing with Houk's wife. McRae was out cold for two minutes. "What can I say?" Houk said in Bill Madden's book, Pride of October, "It's all true."

My observation on the back: Well, at least Topps got his retirement announcement on there.

The blog wants to speak now: The News tab has been updated with a baseball trade that eventually helped affect the outcome of the 1985 A.L. playoffs.

#10 - Record Breaker, Don Sutton

2012-01-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

What a card: This card recognizes Don Sutton's 19th season with 100-or-more strikeouts. The record is now held by Nolan Ryan, who recorded 24 seasons of a 100-or-more strikeouts. Greg Maddux had 21 such seasons.

My observation on the front: We've already reached one of my least favorite cards in the set. What a ghastly picture. It's too close, Sutton looks like he's in mid-sentence, and his refusal to use Brylcreem is off-putting in this photo. Where is the action shot of Don?

More opinion from me: Thank goodness, this is the last record-breaker card in the subset. Ten record-breaker cards is too many.

Something you might know: Sutton is now a radio broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves. He used to be a regular member of the TBS television broadcasting crew for Atlanta through the '90s.

Something you might not know: Sutton has the most at-bats (1,354) without a home run out of anyone who has played major league baseball.

My observation on the back: For the second time in this subset, Steve Carlton just misses making a record breaker card. Ten cards and they couldn't get Carlton in.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the Music, Movie and Pop Culture tabs. A little preview: "Daytime, nighttime, anytime, things go better with rock."

#9 - Record Breaker, Bruce Sutter

2012-01-26T01:37:00.003-05:00

What a card: This card notes Bruce Sutter setting the National League record for saves in a season. He saved 45 games for the Cardinals in 1984. That total tied the major league record, which was initially set in 1983 by the Royals' Dan Quisenberry.

The record is positively quaint when you look up how many times it has been broken since 1985. Sutter is now tied for 33rd place overall with his 45 saves in a season. Francisco Rodriguez holds the record of 62 set four years ago. Eric Gagne holds the N.L. record with 55.

My observation on the front: I never thought I would get nostalgic for powder blue uniforms, but obviously I -- and a lot of baseball fans -- have, because current teams keep trotting out throwback powder blue uniforms.

More opinion from me: This isn't a night card. It looks kind of like a dusk card or a "stormy" card.

Something you might know: Dave Righetti was the first person to break the record by Sutter and Quisenberry. He saved 46 games in 1986.

Something you might not know: Sutter was originally drafted by the Washington Senators. He didn't sign.

My observation on the back: Topps mentions in the headline that Sutter tied the major league record, but doesn't mention who he tied.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the Ballgames tab with a little basketball. That'll do for tonight.

#8 - Record Breaker, Juan Samuel

2012-01-24T00:49:00.004-05:00

What a card: This card recognizes Juan Samuel for setting the record -- by a single stolen base -- for the most stolen bases in a rookie season. Samuel stole 72 in 1984, one better than Tim Raines' 71 in 1981. Samuel's record lasted one whole year as Vince Coleman of the Cardinals decimated the mark with 110 in his rookie year of 1985.

My observation on the front: This is the first non-action shot in the Record Breaker subset. Kind of disappointing as I love base-running photos. Not a flattering posed shot, either.

More opinion from me: Lordy, this Record Breaker subset just goes on and on, doesn't it? I'm used to the record breaker series being anywhere from 4 to 6 cards. I'd have to do some research, but this might be the biggest record-breaker set ever.

Something you might know: Samuel played and played and PLAYED during his rookie year. He set a record for most at-bats by a right-handed hitter with 701 in 1984. He also led the league in triples with 19, one of the largest totals for a rookie ever. And he struck out more than anyone that year with 168. It's safe to say that if not for Dwight Gooden, Samuel would've won the N.L. Rookie of the Year award (not for the strikeout reason, of course).

Something you might not know: Samuel's record-breaking stolen base came on Sept. 26 in a 7-1 loss to the Mets. Samuel stole second base off of pitcher Sid Fernandez (and catcher John Gibbons) in the fifth inning with the Phillies behind 2-0.

My observation on the back: This is a pet peeve of mine with the set. Instead of finding the exact date when Samuel broke the record, as I did, Topps just says Samuel ended the season with the record. Of course, there was no baseball-reference.com at the time, so I probably should give Topps some slack.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the TV, Pop Culture and News tabs. Pretty depressing events for the most part. I'll try to find some happier stuff next time.

#7 - Record Breaker, Nolan Ryan

2012-01-21T22:14:00.002-05:00

What a card: This card recognizes Nolan Ryan finishing the 1984 season with the most career strikeouts. Of course, Ryan holds the all-time strikeout lead by 800-plus Ks now, but at the time he was in a back-and-forth race with Steve Carlton for two seasons.

My observation on the front: In the mid-1980s, the Astros were moving away from the rainbow look of their late '70s/early '80s uniforms to a more sedate appearance, including this softball uniform thing. I'd rather have the rainbows.

More opinion from me: We're really taking a tour through MLB heavyweights with these record-breaker cards. Cliff Johnson is a little out-of-place so far.

Something you might know: Ryan took the career strikeout lead for good in September of 1984 and finished the year with 3,874 for his career. He was the first to break Walter Johnson's mark of 3,508, followed soon after by Carlton and Gaylord Perry. Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Tom Seaver, Bert Blyleven and Don Sutton have all passed The Big Train, too.

Something you might not know: Ryan finished the '84 season just two career strikeouts ahead of Carlton. It could very well have been Carlton on this record-breaker card.

My observation on the back: Someone asked earlier if they were the only one who was bothered by Topps' arbitrary capitalization of words. They're not the only one. I mentioned it many times on my '75 Topps blog, and "Whiffs" really stands out here.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the music, movie and news tabs. After a recent illness, I hope to get back in the swing of updating those.

#6 - Record Breaker, Pete Rose

2012-01-18T01:40:00.000-05:00

What a card: This card recognizes Pete Rose achieving the record for most singles in a career. Rose still holds the all-time mark with 3,215.

My observation on the front: Looks like a game against the Padres. I have no idea which team surrendered Rose's record-setting single, but my guess is the Padres were responsible for providing several players with record-setting achievements.

More opinion from me: Rose is all over this set with at least three cards. But that would be nothing compared to the Rose-palooza that opens the 1986 Topps set.

Something you might know: Rose holds the record for most outs made in a career with 10,328. No one is even close to it.

Something you might not know: Pete Rose was the first ballplayer I ever learned to hate. Surprised it wasn't a Yankee? Yeah, me, too.

My observation on the back: I'm not sure why Topps chose to recognize Rose with a card for most career singles but not a card for most career games.

The blog wants to speak now: The 1985 (and 1971) Topps blog will remain open over the next 24 hours, but I do invite you to read up on the SOPA and PIPA initiatives in the U.S. Senate and do the right thing. You want to continue to read this blog, don't you?

#5 - Record Breaker, Joe Morgan

2012-01-11T01:20:00.003-05:00

What a card: This card recognizes Joe Morgan surpassing Rogers Hornsby for the most home runs for a second baseman for a career. Morgan finished with 268 lifetime, a record that was surpassed by Ryne Sandberg. Jeff Kent now holds the record with 351.

My observation on the front: Green-and-gold is what makes the A's unique in baseball. But at other times they look like the million high school teams that feature green-and-gold as their colors. This is one of those times.

More opinion from me: Morgan has both a record-breaker card and a regular base card in this set, but he didn't play a game past 1984. That's not exactly unusual, but there are a lot of players that were left out of the set that immediately followed a player's final year. I suppose it was all in the timing of Morgan's retirement announcement.

Something you might know: Morgan began his broadcasting career in 1985 for the Cincinnati Reds. It continued (and continued and continued) through 2010, when it mercifully ended.

Something you might not know: The player who suggested that Joe Morgan flap his back arm like a chicken, as a reminder to keep his elbow up, was Nellie Fox.

My observation on the back: Morgan's home run came off the Rangers' Frank Tanana in the first inning.

The blog wants to speak now: Takin' it easy with only a tiny update of a birthday in the pop culture section.

#4 - Record Breaker, Cliff Johnson

2012-01-09T01:07:00.001-05:00

What a card: This card commemorates Cliff Johnson's 19th career pinch-hit home run, which broke the record of 18 career pinch homers set by Jerry Lynch, who played in the '50s and '60s. Matt Stairs now holds the record with 23 career pinch homers, set in 2010. Unfortunately, there have been few record-breaker cards recently, so Stairs' achievement isn't celebrated on cardboard, as far as I know.

My observation the front: Johnson has a lot of classic cards. And although this isn't one of them -- wait until you see his base card in this set -- it's still pretty nice. Johnson often looked like he was going to lose his helmet while on the field. I don't know if it's because he wore his hat high on his head or he just has a large head.

More opinion from me: I went through a bunch of Johnson's cards and, holy crap, there are a bunch I must own, specifically anything from Fleer in the early-to-mid '80s. Great photos.

Something you might know: Johnson began his career as a catcher and first baseman in the National League. But when he came over to the American League in 1977, he became a designated hitter. Except for a year with the Cubs in 1980, he was exclusively an A.L. guy from 1977-86.

Something you might not know: Johnson, who finished with 20 career pinch-hit homers, hit five pinch-hit home runs for the Astros in 1974. But he doesn't hold the record for the most in a season. That record is held by a Dodger, Dave Hansen, and a Pirate, Craig Wilson. They each hit seven in back-to-back seasons, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

My observation on the back: Johnson's record-breaking home run not only won the game but came as the first at-bat in the eighth inning. Tippy Martinez gave up the homer.

The blog wants to speak now: I've been busy adding a few more items to the tabs, specifically the ballgames entry, the news entry, and the pop culture entry. The first segment of "Cereals of '85" is in the books!

#3 - Record Breaker, Dwight Gooden

2012-01-07T00:38:00.001-05:00

What a card: This card recognizes Dwight Gooden's record-setting 276 strikeouts in his rookie season, a record he still holds. I am assuming that if a rookie ever breaks Gooden's record, it will be absolute hysteria. The card-collecting world may hyperventilate itself out of business.

My observation on the front: Personally, I like this card a lot better than Gooden's base card in this set. I'll take action over a sour-looking face any time.

More opinion from me: I am guessing that this was one of the more sought-after cards in '85, as it's one of Gooden's first cards in a mainstream set. He appears in the '84 Topps Traded set and the '84 Fleer Update set, but those weren't as actively collected as the base set was back then.

Something you might know: Gooden passed Herb Score for the rookie record by whiffing the Pirates' Marvell Wynne in the sixth inning of a 2-0 victory on Sept. 12, 1984. It was his 246th strikeout of the season. It was also the first of back-to-back, 16-strikeout starts. Amazing.

Something you might not know: Gooden holds the major league and N.L. record for strikeouts as a rookie with 276, and Score holds the A.L. record for rookie-year strikeouts with 245. But Baltimore's Matt Kilroy holds the American Association rookie record with 513 in 1886.

My observation on the back: Ah, I see we have mention of a "new record" for rookies. Nobody sets an "old record." So let's just get rid of that "new" and call it a "record for rookies," shall we?

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the music and ballgames tabs. Some stuff about Prince and Michael Jordan. They were kind of a big deal in '85.

#2 - Record Breaker, Steve Garvey

2012-01-05T02:17:00.000-05:00

What a card: This card commemorates Steve Garvey's errorless streak at first base. Garvey finished the 1984 season with 188 straight errorless games, a record for first basemen. He would extend the streak in 1985 to 193 straight games. Kevin Youkilis now holds the record with 238 straight errorless games from 2006-08.

My observation on the front: Speaking as a Dodger fan, Garvey always looked completely out of place in a Padre uniform. Also, I'm dying to know what that weird sunburst is behind him. Is it a team logo? Is it the biggest beach ball ever?

More opinion from me: You won't notice this until you see the back of the card, but the point at which Topps decided to mention this mark -- at the end of the season -- is odd to me. He actually set the record with his 179th straight errorless game, since the previous record was 178 straight by Mike Hegan. Garvey's 179th game without an error was on Sept. 20, 1984, a 5-4 victory over the Giants in San Diego. Garvey played in only one inning of that game before being replaced by Kurt Bevacqua to start the second inning.

Something you might know: The "RAK" that appears on Garvey's left uniform sleeve is in memory of former Padres owner and the man who built the McDonald's franchise, Raymond Albert Kroc. He died in January 1984 and the Padres wore his initials on their uniforms for three seasons.

Something you might not know: The error that ended Garvey's streak came in the ninth inning of an 8-3 loss to the Giants on April 15, 1985. With just two outs left in the game, he dropped a foul pop up by Bob Brenly. Brenly made sure Garvey didn't feel too bad about it by proceeding to strike out.

My observation on the back: "Initial Sack"? Is that when multiple defenders tackle the quarterback? The first guy in gets the "initial sack"?

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the tabs for "TV," "News" and "Pop Culture." So far, pop culture is a lot of births and sports stuff. I hope to expand it to other things as I add more dates and other stuff. But, meanwhile, I hope finding things like "Street Hawk" is as much a rush for you as it is for me.

#1 - Record Breaker, Carlton Fisk

2012-01-03T00:20:00.000-05:00

What a card: This card commemorates Carlton Fisk catching all 25 innings of a game on May 9, 1984 against the Milwaukee Brewers. That is a record he still holds and one that is absolutely incredible. Fisk is well-deserved in receiving card No. 1 in this set.

My observation on the front: Fisk's best look is his pissed-off look. It's featured on a number of his cards, including this one. I'm sure he's an excellent father, but you don't want to see that look coming at you from a son/daughter vantage point.

More opinion from me: I do not like the record breaker subset in 1985 Topps. The purple makes it look like it belongs in another set, and the yellow-red "record breaker" design puts me in the mind of a Denny's Grand Slam breakfast.

Something you might know: The White Sox wore their uniform numbers atrociously close to their crotch for seven painful years, from 1982-88.

Something you might not know: Fisk threw out four runners in this 25-inning game. He threw out two in the ninth (Ben Oglivie and Bobby Clark), one in the 10th (Dion James) and one in the 20th (Mark Brouhard).

My observation on the back: That is the largest thumbtack ever.

The blog wants to speak now: Take a look at the tabs at the top of the blog. I will be updating them regularly in an attempt to immerse you into 1985 as much as possible. I was 19 years old in '85 and anyone who is 19 has a love affair with whatever year it happens to be. So you're going to know all about St. Elmo's Fire and Tears for Fears and Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

Get ready.

Welcome

2011-11-19T13:09:00.001-05:00

Testing the new '85 Topps blog. Don't get excited ...

I have begun updating some of the tabs ...

(Edit: 1/3/11): OK, you can get excited. The blog is live.