#79T - Ron Mathis

What a card: This is the 18th rookie card in the 1985 Topps Traded set. Ron Mathis made his major league debut in 1985 and appeared in 23 games for the Astros, posting a 3-5 mark and 6.04 ERA.

My observation on the front: It's a clear-blue, sunny day in Philadelphia as Mathis has his picture snapped in Veterans Stadium. I like the activity in the background. That's the kind of stuff you saw in cards from the '70s and '80s.

More opinion from me: Here is one of those rare 1980s players that I do not know at all. I tend to get fascinated over these players.

Something you might know: Mathis' only full season was in 1985. He didn't play in the majors in '86, unfortunate as Houston made the playoffs that year. He managed only eight more games in his big league career, in 1987. He has just one Topps flagship card, in the 1986 set.

Something you might not know: Mathis has been involved in Nations Baseball, a youth baseball tournament-organizing organization. He is a partner and director in the organization and based in Texas.

My observation on the back: That's a somewhat slow progression to the big leagues there, but he made it!

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

#786 - Enos Cabell

What a card: Enos Cabell batted over .300 for the second straight year in 1984. They were the only .300 seasons of his 15-year major league career.

My observation on the front: Cabell is sporting a large bandage on his right forearm.

More opinion from me: I vividly remember my baseball world being turned upside down by reading Bill James' Baseball Abstract publications in the early 1980s. I was shocked when James said that Cabell could not play baseball (it was contained in a rant about Sparky Anderson, which turned into a slam on Cabell). Man, I wish I still had those Abstracts.

Something you might know: Cabell was the starting third baseman for the 1980 Astros, the first Houston Astros team to make the postseason.

Something you might not know: James said that he met Cabell at a party not too long after he wrote those words about the player. James said Cabell was aware of what James wrote but was so cordial about it that James said he never wrote another negative word about him.

My observation on the back: The 1984 season was Cabell's last as a full-time player. He'd be caught up in the Pittsburgh drug scandal in 1985 and didn't play in the majors after 1986.

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

#760 - Nolan Ryan

What a card: Nolan Ryan was still going strong for the Astros at age 37 in 1984, although he did appear in the fewest total innings for a complete season (183.2) since 1971.

My observation on the front: Part of the "wow factor" of Ryan signing with the Astros was him wearing that bright orange cap and the rainbow stripes across the chest. The Astros ditched that gear for the 1982 season, though, and I always found the blue tops and stripes restricted to the shoulders not nearly as exciting (although I understand the switch).

More opinion from me: I get the feeling that Ryan didn't give a wit what he wore on the field.

Something you might know: More strikeouts and no-hitters than anyone, folks.

Something you might not know: Ryan's mother, Martha, who died in 1990, is a descendant of John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

My observation on the back: Ryan's childhood dream was to be a cowboy, so mission accomplished.

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

#736 - Jerry Mumphrey

What a card: Jerry Mumphrey was coming off his most productive season since 1980 when this card was issued. He made his only All-Star Game appearance in 1984. Known for his speed, Mumphrey hit clean-up in the Houston lineup that year.

My observation on the front: I love action shots of players in mid-swing.

More opinion from me: Thanks to the reverse of Mumphrey's rookie card, I've known about '50s actress Lucy Marlowe since I was 12. Although Lucy is a brunette.

Something you might know: Mumphrey was one of the Yankees' top hitters for his first two years with the team in 1981 and 1982, but sat the bench for the latter part of the 1981 World Series causing some to wonder whether owner George Steinbrenner was controlling the lineup.

Something you might not know: Mumphrey's three-base error in the 20th inning of a game between the Paders and Astros in 1980 allowed Houston to win 3-1 on Aug. 16 and gain a tie for first-place with the Dodgers. The Astros would go on to beat the Dodgers in a special playoff series at the end of the season.

My observation on the back: It bothered me as a kid when the team names didn't line up in the stats.

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

#721 - Bob Knepper All-Star

What a card: Bob Knepper finished sixth in the National League in innings pitched with 233 2/3 in 1984.

My observation on the front: Knepper appears to be warming up in the bullpen here.

More opinion from me: I was never really down with the stripes on the shoulders the Astros moved toward in the '80s. I think they should have kept the rainbows on the players' mid-sections.

All-Star Game performance: No All-Star Game appearance for Knepper in 1984. He was named an All-Star only in 1981 and 1988.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: Once again, it's a fake. Instead of selecting the NL's 1984 All-Star starter, Charlie Lea, Topps chose two pitchers who didn't appear in the game, Rick Sutcliffe and Bob Knepper. If it really wanted a lefty represented, Topps could've selected all-stars Fernando Valenzuela or Al Holland.

My observation on the back: All three of Knepper's 1984 shutouts are mentioned in the blurb on the left.

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

#684 - Bill Doran

What a card: Bill Doran was coming off his sophomore season with the Astros (although he did play 26 games for the Astros in 1982) when this card was issued. He was firmly entrenched at second, appearing in more than 140 games for the second straight year.

My observation on the front: I spy dirt on Doran's uniform, which is appropriate for his style of play.

More opinion from me: The Astros never seemed to have a long-lasting second baseman until Doran came along. I didn't start following baseball until 1975 so I missed Houston's earlier history, but for years it was a rotating door at second with Rafael Landestoy, Art Howe, Joe Morgan, Phil Garner, etc.

Something you might know: Doran was the NL West champion Astros' starting second baseman in 1986 and set a bunch of career highs in 1987, his best season.

Something you might not know: Doran missed out playing on a World Series-winning team in 1990 after being dealt to Cincinnati in an August deadline deal that year. He played in 17 games for the Reds but then underwent back surgery that finished his season. He was checking into the hospital the same day the Reds clinched the NL West pennant.

My observation on the back: It's hard for me to picture mid-1980s baseball players selling insurance.

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

#666 - Mike LaCoss

What a card: Mike LaCoss had completed his third season as a starter/reliever with the Astros when this card was issued. He would be off to the Royals as a free agent before many collectors even pulled this card.

My observation on the front: It must be a very, very cold day in Florida. LaCoss looks like he's not going to take off that jacket for nothing.

More opinion from me: LaCoss displayed his split-fingered fastball grip on a baseball card in the 1989 Topps set. It's one of the more memorable cards in a bland set, if you ask me.

Something you might know: LaCoss was an All-Star in his second season with the Reds, proving to be Cincinnati's second-best starter behind Tom Seaver in 1979.

Something you might not know: LaCoss appearing on card No. 666 broke up a string of five straight years of Tigers appearing on card No. 666. I did a post about it.

My observation on the back: LaCoss' wife's name is not Vallecillo. That's her maiden name. Her first name is Theresa. Topps done goofed.

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

#634 - Bill Dawley

What a card: Bill Dawley was entering 1985 after a terrific first two major league seasons when this card was issued. In 1984, Dawley won 11 games in relief and posted a 1.93 earned run average.

My observation on the front: The Astros logo is the most interesting element on this card ... by far. The '85 set really has some boring cards.

More opinion from me: Those rainbow shoulder stripes -- I wonder who thought of that?

Something you might know: Dawley, after toiling in the minors for seven years, blasted out of the gate with Houston, posting a 1.83 ERA his rookie season in 1983, winning a spot on the National League's All-Star roster. He was the reliever called in after the Giants' Atlee Hammaker gave up that grand slam to the Angels' Fred Lynn.

Something you might not know: Dawley was a victim of major league baseball team's decisions to cut rosters from 25 men to 24 men in 1986. On April 1, 1986, Dawley and other established players like the Yankees' Phil Niekro, the Royals' Pat Sheridan and the Brewers' Ray Burris were cut to meet the 24-man limit. The 24-man roster wasn't expected to last more than a couple months, but it lasted through the 1989 season until the 25-man roster was written into the collective bargaining agreement in 1990.

My observation on the back: That "Did Not Pitch" for Tuscon is odd. Dawley started with the Astros out of spring training and was never sent down in 1983. So why would Tucson even be shown? (It's not shown on his baseball-reference page).

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

#613 - Terry Puhl

What a card: Terry Puhl was coming off what would be his last full major league season when this card was issued. He played in 132 games in 1984, batting .301. But he'd endure two injury-plagued seasons in 1985 and 1986 and was a part-time player after that.

My observation on the front: Puhl's helmet looks a little too tight.

More opinion from me: This card features quite a few of those printing air bubbles that were commonplace on cards from the '70s and '80s.

Something you might know: The most successful Canadian hitter of the 1980s, Puhl hit a smoking .526 during the 1980 National League Championship Series against the Phillies.

Something you might not know: Puhl's first major league home run came in the Astros' first game of the 1978 season, off of Tom Seaver.

My observation on the back: Dave Stieb pitched the first three innings of the 1983 All-Star Game and was the pitcher of record when the AL recorded their seven-run third inning as Whitey Herzog left Atlee Hammaker in to get pasted. Let's review the inning shall we?

AL leading 2-1 when Hammaker enters the game to start the third.

Jim Rice: Home Run (AL leads 3-1)
George Brett: Triple (Hammaker still in the game)
Ted Simmons: Pop-up to second (one out)
Dave Winfield: Single (AL leads 4-1, Brett scores, Hammaker still in the game)
Manny Trillo: Single (Winfield to second, Hammaker still in the game)
Doug DeCinces: Fly Out (two outs)
Rod Carew: Single (AL leads 5-1, Winfield scores, Trillo to third, Carew advances to second on throw, Hammaker still in the game)
Robin Yount: Intentional Walk
Fred Lynn: Grand Slam (AL leads 9-1, Bill Dawley brought in from bullpen ... OH, let's replace Hammaker NOW).

Whitey Herzog was a piece of work.

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

#564 - Alan Ashby

What a card: Alan Ashby was in the middle of a period of diminished playing time when this card was issued. He appeared in just 66 games in 1984 and 65 in 1985.

My observation on the front: Ashby's pants seem to be hitched too high.

More opinion from me: I remember being fascinated with Ashby when he was with the Blue Jays in the organization's first year. Ashby and Rick Cerone split time behind the plate for Toronto in 1977 and I thought both of them were great. The idea of catchers platooning was totally new to me.

Something you might know: Ashby was the starting catcher for the Astros' playoff teams in 1980 and 1986. He caught Nolan Ryan's record-breaking fifth no-hitter in 1981.

Something you might not know: Ashby became a switch-hitter as a youngster, imitating the infield of his favorite team, the Dodgers. All four starting infielders on that team were switch-hitters, and Ashby thought "that's what you had to do."

My observation on the back: Maddox was two years ahead of Ashby at San Pedro High School.

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

#532 - Frank DiPino

What a card: Frank DiPino was entering his final full season with the Astros when this card was issued. He finished 1984 with 14 saves and was Houston's primary closer for the second straight year.

My observation on the front: Don't cry, Frank, you're in a baseball stadium.

More opinion from me: DiPino was born in Syracuse, N.Y., which is an hour away from me. Upstate New York doesn't produce a lot of major leaguers in comparison to other areas, so I appreciate even the ones who grew up 60 minutes away.

Something you might know: DiPino enjoyed a noteworthy rookie season in 1983, saving 20 games for Houston, compiling a 2.65 ERA and finishing sixth in rookie of the year voting.

Something you might not know: DiPino held Tony Gwynn to a .050 batting average (1 hit in 20 at-bats), the worst Gwynn fared against any pitcher he had faced at least 10 times.

My observation on the back: That bio write-up is rather vague: "early in 1983," "late in 1983."

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

#482 - Harry Spilman

What a card: Harry Spilman enjoyed a bounce-back season in 1984. Entrenched in his pinch-hitting role with the Astros, he had 19 hits in 72 at-bats (.264), which was far better than his 13-for-78 performance (.167) in 1983. But he was back to batting .136 in 1985.

My observation on the front: Wow, if that uniform doesn't say 1980s, I'm not sure what does.

More opinion from me: I so love that Astros logo.

Something you might know: Spilman carved out a 12-year career based on his reputation as a pinch-hitter, but he began in the majors in a battle with Ray Knight to see who would replace Pete Rose at third base for the Reds. Obviously, Knight won.

Something you might not know: Spilman's cousin is former White Sox first baseman Greg Walker.

My observation on the back: The Mets finished in second place in 1984. Take away those extra-inning games and New York was 79-71.

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

#479 - Mike Madden

What a card: After an impressive rookie year in 1983, Mike Madden struggled through his sophomore season, posting a 5.53 ERA in '84 and serving some time back in the minors.

My observation on the front: Madden seems to be trying to read the license plate of a car out in the parking lot. He's very squinty.

More opinion from me: It's cards like this that remind me how wonderful 1983 Topps is. This photo would have been the inset shot and something much more interesting would have been the main photo.

Something you might know: Madden was one of three players the Astros received in the deal that sent Don Sutton to the Brewers in a deadline deal in 1982. The other two players were Kevin Bass and Frank DiPino.

Something you might not know: Madden didn't allow a run in his major league debut. On May 25, 1983, he pitched six innings against the Cubs, striking out five and walking five. The Astros won 4-0.

My observation on the back: In 1985, no single reliever had posted more than 45 saves in a season (Dan Quisenberry and Bruce Sutter). But since the time of this trivia question, seven different pitchers have exceeded more than 51 saves in a season.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category 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.

#426 - Vern Ruhle

What a card: Vern Ruhle struggled through his 1984 season with the Astros. After years as a starter, he was primarily a reliever for the second straight season. By the time this card arrived in packs, he had already signed as a free agent with the Indians.

My observation on the front: I wonder how many baseball card photo poses have been taken in that exact spot at Shea Stadium?

More opinion from me: Ruhle's best season came in 1980, which was the year Houston outlasted the Dodgers to make the NLCS. I remember being annoyed that this pitcher emerged out of nowhere to help eliminate the Dodgers.

Something you might know: Ruhle started Game 4 of the 1980 NLCS with the Astros needing one win to advance to the World Series for the first time. He held the Phillies scoreless for six innings and entered the seventh with a 2-0 lead. But the Phillies went ahead in the seventh off of Ruhle and relievers Dave Smith and Joe Sambito. After the Astros tied the game in the 9th, the Phillies won in the 10th and won Game 5, too, to reach the Series.

Something you might not know: Ruhle surrendered a run-scoring single to Hank Aaron in 1975 that allowed Aaron to surpass Babe Ruth for the career RBI record. It was Aaron's 2,210th run batted in.

My observation on the back: Ruhle was presented with his degree from Olivet between games of a Tigers doubleheader. Don Winger, a longtime sports editor for the Midland (Mich.) Daily News (Ruhle grew up in Midland) also graduated from Olivet and presented him the award.

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

#382 - Denny Walling

What a card: Denny Walling was used in 1984 as he was the previous six seasons for the Astros, as a platoon outfielder/corner infielder and pinch-hitter against right-handed pitching.

My observation on the front: I'll never understand the "staring off camera" pose, but I do like the palm tree.

More opinion from me: How many times do you think he got called "Danny" during his career? Thousands?

Something you might know: Walling's ability to pinch-hit was one of the best in big league history. He's currently tied for 13th all-time with 108 career pinch hits. When he retired, he was in the top 10.

Something you might not know: In Mike Scott's 2-0 no-hitter against the Giants that clinched the NL West pennant for the Astros in 1986, Walling scored both runs.

My observation on the back: Two straight card backs with black blotches. I guess I won't be selling this set for millions.

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

#353 - Julio Solano

What a card: This is Julio Solano's rookie card (and only Topps card). He received one after posting a 1.95 ERA in 31 appearances for the 1984 Astros.

My observation on the front: Some of the photos in '85 Topps are very light. It may be just the printing of the set that I have, but this is one example.

More opinion from me: I'm trying to figure out why Solano didn't get a card in 1986. He appeared in 20 games for the Astros in 1985. Perhaps it's because he kept getting sent down during his career, which lasted until 1989.

Something you might know: If anyone remembers Solano, it's for his time as an Astros reliever between 1984-86.

Something you might not know: Solano's last professional season was in 1994, spent with the St. Paul Saints, the well-known independent league team.

My observation on the back: Steve Garvey is now tied for fifth for the most home runs in the LCS. Ahead of him is leader Manny Ramirez (13), followed by Albert Pujols, Bernie Williams and George Brett.

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

#326 - Kevin Bass

What a card: This is Kevin Bass' first card after his first regular season in the majors. He appeared in 121 games in 1984.

My observation on the front: Bunting. It was a way of life for the Astros in the mid-1980s. Even for a guy who would hit 20 home runs in two years.

More opinion from me: Bass was one of those players who appeared on a multi-player rookie card and then seemed to disappear before suddenly emerging again years later. He appears as one of the Brewers' prospects in the 1979 Topps set, then doesn't show up on a Topps card again until 1984.

Something you might know: Bass made the last out in the epic 1986 NLCS against the Mets. He struck out with men on first and second in the 16th inning of a game that didn't seem like it would ever end.

Something you might not know: Bass was traded from the Giants to the Mets on Aug. 8, 1992. In his first appearance with the Mets at Shea Stadium, on Aug. 10, he went 0-for-7 and left eight runners on base in a 16-inning loss to the Pirates. He considers it the most embarrassing performance of his career.

My observation on the back: It is scary how much you can find out about a person on the internet with just the little bit of baseball-card back knowledge that I have here. Property valuation amounts and everything.

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

#295 - Joe Niekro

What a card: Joe Niekro was closing out the most productive portion of his career when this card came out. From 1979-84, he was at his peak.

My observation on the front: The picture looks hazy. Not the clearest.

More opinion from me: I didn't like it when the Astros transitioned to these blue softball racing stripe tops.

Something you might know: Google "Joe Niekro" and "emery board" isn't far behind. The guy won 221 games in 22 years in the majors and all anyone wants to talk about is how he was caught on the mound with an emery board that flew out of his pockets when he was told to empty them by umpire Tim Tschida.

Something you might not know: When Niekro, who was player rep for the Astros in 1980, learned that players and owners had reached a deal to eliminate the longstanding threat of a strike, he kissed the waitresses in the restaurant where he was eating. (The thrill didn't last as a strike would mar the very next season).

 My observation on the back: Joe and Phil Niekro had been playing together in the major leagues for about 17 years at this point. I'm sure that blurb at the bottom was old news.

The blog wants to speak now: It's been a rough week. No speaking today.

#274 - The 1976 No. 1 Draft Pick - Floyd Bannister

What a card: This card recognizes the Astros' selection of Floyd Bannister with the No. 1 pick in the 1976 amateur draft. Topps skipped the '75 draft in which Danny Goodwin was selected first for a second time (how cool would it have been to have two Goodwin cards in this subset? OK, not so cool).

My observation on the front: This is a terrific look at the Astros' late '70s uniforms. It was quite the thrill in 1985 to get a splash of nostalgia in the set as the Astros had toned down their rainbow uniforms by the mid-1980s.

More opinion from me: Bannister's first solo card in the 1978 Topps set features a photo taken at Shea. I'm guessing this picture is from the same photo session.

Something you might know: Bannister finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1978. Andre Dawson, Steve Henderson and Gene Richards finished ahead of him.

Something you might not know: Bannister was cut from his high school freshman baseball team. He would later lead Kennedy High, south of Seattle, to a state title.

My observation on the back: I have nothing to say about these backs. They're so dull.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames and News categories are updated.