#124T - John Tudor

What a card: John Tudor was traded to the Cardinals in a deal with the Pirates on Dec. 12, 1984. The Pirates sent Tudor and Brian Harper to St. Louis for outfielder George Hendrick and a minor leaguer.

How'd that go: Stellar ... until the World Series. Tudor went 21-8 with a 1.93 ERA and 10 shutouts in 1985 for the Cardinals, finishing second in the Cy Young Award voting. He started Game 7 of the World Series that year, but failed spectacularly in an 11-0 defeat to the Royals.

Backatya: As an upstate New York guy I hoped that Tudor did some of his high school pitching in Schenectady. But he went to high school in Peabody, Mass.

Back-to-back: The blurry-hand effect on the Traded card is very '70s/'80s. But it is definitely more interesting (aside from the Pirates pillbox hat) than the flagship card, which is No. 214 in the set and was originally blogged on Sept. 17, 2013.

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

#30T - Ivan DeJesus

What a card: Ivan DeJesus came to the Cardinals from the Phillies, traveling to St. Louis with reliever Bill Campbell in exchange for pitcher David Rucker.

How'd that go: DeJesus got into just 59 games with the Cardinals in 1985, his fewest games in a season since 1976. It also began an end-of-career pattern in which he played for a different team in each of his final five seasons.

Backatya: DeJesus began his career with the Dodgers (just like his son, Ivan Jr.) and was dealt to the Cubs in the trade that sent Bill Buckner to Chicago for Rick Monday.

Back-to-back: I've always liked the DeJesus Traded card because the close cropping reminds me of similar treatment with some 1970s favorites. Also the bright red cap drew me in. However, the closer I look, the more it appears that the hat is airbrushed. The "S" in the logo looks off-kilter.

The flagship card is No. 791 (second-to-last card in the set). It appeared on this blog on May 23, 2018.

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

#24T - Vince Coleman

What a card: This is the sixth rookie card in the Traded set and one of the biggest in a set not known for its rookies. Vince Coleman would produce an astonishing rookie season in 1985, recording 110 stolen bases and winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

My observation on the front: I enjoy it when Topps gets it right: Vince Coleman on the basepaths.

More opinion from me: Coleman got on my bad side right away during his rookie year. Not only did his Cardinals beat my Dodgers in the 1985 NLCS, but he famously said, "I don't know nothing about Jackie Robinson."

Something you might know: Coleman missed the 1985 World Series when the automatic tarp rolled over his leg during pregame warmups for Game 4 of the NLCS.

Something you might not know: Coleman, whose cousin Greg was a punter in the NFL for 12 years, once was fined $25 by manager Jim Fregosi, after showing off his own punting abilities to his Triple A Louisville teammates before a game.

My observation on the back: I'll take a moment to mention how bizarre it was to see a card with nothing but minor league stats on the back when I was a kid.

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

#22T - Jack Clark

What a card: The Giants dealt Jack Clark to the Cardinals on Feb. 1, 1985 in exchange for pitcher Dave LaPoint, shortstop Jose Uribe and outfielders David Green and Gary Rajsich.

How'd that go: Quite well. The Cardinals reached the World Series in Clark's first year and Clark, playing in his first postseason, hit the decisive blow, a three-run blast in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers to get St. Louis there. After an injury-filled 1986, Clark enjoyed the best season of his career with St. Louis in 1987.

Backatya: Clark and his wife, Tammy, met in a pharmacy. They also had a son, Anthony. They appear to be no longer married as Clark's bankruptcy filing in March of 2018 mentions an Angela as his wife. 

 
Back-to-back: Somewhat similar photos on each card. The Traded card shows the stance Clark used with the "flat bat." The original card shows him putting that bat into action. Also, I believe the player on the on-deck circle in the Traded card is catcher Darrell Porter.

The original card is No. 740. It was blogged earlier this year, on Jan. 4, 2018. 

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

#15T - Bill Campbell

What a card: Bill Campbell came to the Cardinals in a trade on April 6, 1985. The Phillies sent Campbell and shortstop Ivan DeJesus to the Cardinals for pitcher David Rucker.

How'd that go: Campbell pitched pretty well in his only season for St. Louis in 1985. He also made his only trip to the postseason that year, appearing in three games apiece in the NLCS and the World Series.

Backatya: Campbell was averaging about a team a year at this point. In 1986 he'd be with the Tigers. It's hard for me to think of him as anything other than a Twin or a Red Sock when he was at the height of his success (but I know the 9 million people whose first card set was 1987 Topps will say, "I know him as a Tiger!") 

Back-to-back: I like both of these cards. The Cardinals card is sharp just because I'm not used to seeing a nice action shot like that on early Traded cards.

The original card was blogged on Sept. 3, 2013. 

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

#783 - Mike Jorgensen

What a card: Mike Jorgensen was entering his final major league season when this card was issued. He played his 17th and final season in 1985 and reached the World Series for the only time in his career.

My observation on the front: Jorgensen was known for his fielding ability at first base. This seems appropriate.

More opinion from me: Jorgensen played for a number of teams. It's my observation that he looked best on his Expos cards.

Something you might know: Jorgensen has spent the last 15 or so years in the Cardinals' front office. In 1996, he was the interim manager between the fired Joe Torre and Torre's eventual replacement, Tony La Russa.

Something you might not know: Jorgensen was the only non-Dodger first baseman to win a Gold Glove between 1967-77. He won the honor in 1973, breaking a string of Gold Gloves by Wes Parker (1967-72) and Steve Garvey (1974-77).

My observation on the back: Jorgensen's interests really speak to the down time that MLB players have, especially in the pre-gadget era.

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

#757 - Willie McGee

What a card: Willie McGee enjoyed another fine season in his third year with the Cardinals in 1984 but the best was yet to come.

My observation on the front: My, my, that is one very '80s photograph.

More opinion from me: I am mystified as to why McGee did not receive a card number ending in a zero or a five. As if to prove Topps wrong, McGee would go on to win the National League MVP award in 1985.

Something you might know: McGee burst on the scene as a rookie in 1982, enjoying one of the best World Series first-year performances in Game 3 that year, hitting two home runs in the game and making a leaping catch at the wall.

Something you might not know: During McGee's rookie year, some players called him "E.T." (the movie came out at the same time McGee was called up to the majors). McGee disliked the nickname and thought it was rude.

My observation on the back: McGee was not allowed to play sports on Sunday, his church didn't permit it. So he sneaked out to play baseball. Later, McGee found out his father knew he was sneaking out, but didn't stop him.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated, backdated to Dec. 6th.

#731 - Neil Allen

What a card: Neil Allen had completed his first full season with the Cardinals when this card was issued. But he was in the middle of a terrible 1985 when his card was being pulled and was dealt to the Yankees in mid-season.

My observation on the front: It looks cold there.

More opinion from me: The Cardinals cards really look nice in this set with the coordinating red and yellow. Have I mentioned this already? I probably have.

Something you might know: Allen is known as the guy who was traded from the Mets to the Cardinals in exchange for Keith Hernandez (but don't forget the Cards got Rick Ownby, too!).

Something you might not know: Allen was taught to throw a curve ball by his father, Bob, who was blind.

My observation on the back: The internet is really disinterested in League Championship Series records. I don't know if Reggie still holds the record. My guess is Derek Jeter has played in the most now. But I'm not counting them.

The blog wants to speak now: Not today. After work I am ticked off and spent. No more researching for me.

#722 - Bruce Sutter All-Star

What a card: Bruce Sutter finished a league-high 63 games in 1984.

My observation on the front: Sutter is obviously on the road, judging by his beautiful '80s baby blue uniform. San Francisco I'm guessing?

More opinion from me: I just looked at Sutter's baseball-reference page and mentally rolled my eyes at the mug shot of Sutter in a Braves hat. I'm no Cubs or Cardinals fan, but get a picture of Sutter when he did his finest work, please.

All-Star Game performance: Sutter was selected as a National League pitcher for the 1984 All-Star Game, but when the time came to close out the NL's 3-1 victory, Rich Gossage got the job of finishing out the ninth. Sutter didn't play.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: Fake. My first tip-off that Topps was going off book with the All-Star cards came in 1981 when Sutter and Gossage received All-Star banners, previously reserved for just ASG starters. Obviously, relievers weren't starters.

My observation on the back: It's interesting that Clay Carroll held the record for so long as I barely heard of him while learning about baseball from 1975-85. That's possibly because save number didn't seem to get much attention until the '80s.

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

#715 - Ozzie Smith All-Star

What a card: Ozzie Smith won his fifth of 13 straight gold gloves in 1984.

My observation on the front: That jacket Ozzie is wearing is so very '80s, but it was all we knew through the '70s and '80s.

More opinion from me: Smith seems to have aged quite a bit from his rookie card in 1979 to this photo.

All-Star Game performance: Smith went 0-for-3 in the 1984 All-Star Game batting from the No. 8 spot. He did steal second base after reaching on a force out.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: It's legit. Smith was making his second straight All-Star start.

My observation on the back: Ozzie just sneaks into the top 10!

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

#683 - Whitey Herzog

What a card: The Cardinals in 1984 completed their second straight average season after Whitey Herzog led St. Louis to the World Series championship in 1982. But it was an improvement over the disappointing '83 season and the Cardinals were on their way back to the Series in '85.

My observation on the front: I am intrigued by the jersey Herzog is wearing under his jacket. Is that a navy blue Cardinals jersey? Different.

More opinion from me: No doubt, Herzog knew how to manage. But he was the beginning of my dislike of Cardinals managers. He had this air about him like he would go off if someone said the wrong thing (I'm basing this mostly on an on-air scolding he gave Marv Albert during the NBC Game of the Week so maybe I'm being unfair). He seemed extra bossy.

Something you might know: During a golden age of naming a team's style of play after the manager, Herzog's style was called "Whiteyball," and its focus on speed and defense led the Cardinals to three World Series between 1982-87.

Something you might not know: George Scott played for the Royals and Herzog during the end of his career  in 1979. They got into a famous expletive-filled argument during a team meeting at Comiskey Park in Chicago. It was the first Royals team meeting for recent call-up Dan Quisenberry. After the meeting, Quisenberry asked pitcher Paul Splittorff "Are all your meetings like that?"

My observation on the back: I like the use of "skipper."

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

#655 - Joaquin Andujar

What a card: Joaquin Andujar was coming off a major comeback season when this card was issued. After a post-World Series letdown in 1983 (and 16 losses), Andujar led the league with 20 victories for St. Louis.

My observation on the front: You can see the medallion Andujar is wearing. He used to wear medallions and chains on the mound, which distracted hitters. He was often told by umpires to remove them.

More opinion from me: Andujar is the central figure in the single worst meltdown I've seen on a baseball field. His Game 7 tirade in the 1985 World Series got him suspended for the start of the following season. I thought he was stark-raving loopy.

Something you might know: Andujar was a World Series star for the Cardinals in 1982, winning two Series games to help St. Louis to the championship. But he's probably most known in baseball circles for saying: "there is one word in America that says it all, and that word is 'you never know.'"

Something you might not know: While with the Astros, he once got into a physical fight with teammate and best friend, Cesar Cedeno. "I was only trying to keep my heavyweight championship," Andujar said afterward.

My observation on the back: Some of the abbreviations on card backs are comical. San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Rico, is abbreviated as S.P. De M., D.R.

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

#631 - Bob Forsch

What a card: Bob Forsch missed much of the 1984 season when he underwent back surgery. He appeared in just 16 games. But he came back to appear with the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series and won 14 games in 1986.

My observation on the front: The background is tilted. You see that a lot in '70s cards, but I haven't seen much of it in this set.

More opinion from me: I blogged about Forsch on my '75 Topps blog. His rookie card was that year. Seeing him age from that point makes me feel old. Of course, Forsch died more than five years ago and that really makes me feel old.

Something you might know: Forsch won 20 games for the Cardinals his fourth year in the league in 1977. He also threw two no-hitters.

Something you might not know: Larry Dierker was a teammate of Forsch's brother, Ken, on the Astros and a fellow pitcher. Once when the Astros started a series against the Cardinals, Ken asked Bob if he could borrow one of Bob's bats. Bob gave him a bat. In the second game of the series, Bob was pitching. Dierker came to the plate and hit a home run off of Bob. The following year, Dierker joined the Cardinals. In spring training, Dierker came up to Bob and told him he hit the home run off of Bob with the bat Bob gave Ken. So, to sum up, Dierker hit a homer off of Bob with Bob's own bat.

My observation on the back: They're still the only brother pair to throw no-hitters. Both of their no-hitters happened in April. Bob's came in the ninth game of the season and Ken's in the second game of the season.

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

#605 - Ozzie Smith

What a card: Ozzie Smith was entering his "Go Crazy" year when this card was issued. His game-winning home run in the 9th inning of Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS was the capper to what was then a career-best season, and he would maintain that level for most of the rest of his career.

My observation on the front: It almost appears as if there's a picnic going on in the background with the people standing around.

More opinion from me: Since the tail end of his career, Smith has been upset with manager Tony La Russa for the way La Russa tried to replace Smith with Royce Clayton as the starting shortstop. While I think it's time to let it go, I fully understand if it's not easy to forgive La Russa for some of the stuff he does.

Something you might know: A first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2002, Smith won the Gold Glove 13 straight years and had his No. 1 retired by the Cardinals.

Something you might not know: During a 1980 contract holdout in spring training, Smith's agent Ed Gottlieb told the Padres that Smith was going to enter that summer's Tour de France instead of playing for San Diego. Smith says he had no idea what the Tour de France was at the time.

My observation on the back: It seems odd that you'd have to tell someone that Smith is known as "The Wizard of Oz," but I suppose it had to start somewhere.

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

#551 - Andy Van Slyke

What a card: This is a second-year card of Andy Van Slyke. For some reason I confuse it with his rookie card. But his rookie cards were issued in 1984.

My observation on the front: I'm saying that's George Hendrick in the on-deck circle. Could be David Green, but it really looks like Hendrick.

More opinion from me: It is mind-boggling to consider the personalities in the Pittsburgh outfield in the early 1990s. Van Slyke centered between Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla! My gosh, what would Twitter do with that outfield.

Something you might know: Van Slyke won five straight Gold Gloves as the center fielder for the Pirates between 1988-92.

Something you might not know: Van Slyke once passed a kidney stone during a major league game.

My observation on the back: That one son is not Scott Van Slyke, who plays for the Dodgers. It is A.J., Van Slyke's first-born and an eventual minor leaguer for the Cardinals. Scott was the second-born of four Van Slyke sons.

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

#525 - Darrell Porter

What a card: Darrell Porter had just completed what would be his final full season as a starter and was entering his final year with the Cardinals when this card was issued.

My observation on the front: It would not be a Darrell Porter card without those famed frames. I could find only one card in which he's not wearing glasses. It's his 1973 Topps card.

More opinion from me: If Porter's story isn't the biggest deterrent to doing drugs, I don't know what is.

Something you might know: Porter won the MVP award for both the 1982 NLCS and the World Series. He won three World Series titles, one with the Royals and two with the Cardinals.

Something you might not know: When Porter died in 2002 from the effects of cocaine use, it was just before the Cardinals were to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 1982 World Series title. The manager of that team, Whitey Herzog, called Porter on Monday about the dinner and golf tournament and then Porter died on Wednesday. All of the members of the team showed for the reunion and put his number on their golf shirts.

My observation on the back: Porter's agreement with the Cardinals made him the highest paid catcher in the game at the time.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated with perhaps the most famous ballgame of 1985.

#499 - Danny Cox

What a card: This is Danny Cox's first Topps card. It was quite sought-after at the time as Cox enjoyed a breakout year in 1985 with 18 wins and two starts in the World Series.

My observation on the front: Cox doesn't look right without his mustache.

More opinion from me: Cox was one of several Cardinals of the mid-1980s that kicked off a dislike for the team that continues to this day. Prior to '85, I enjoyed the Cardinals.

Something you might know: Cox formed a devastating rotation for the Cardinals with John Tudor and Joaquin Andujar in 1985. Later he pitched the NLCS-clinching win against the Giants in 1987.

Something you might not know: Cox is one of less than 40 major league ballplayers born in England.

My observation on the back: Thanks to collecting cards in 1976, I've known the answer to that trivia quiz since I was 10.

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

#474 - Kurt Kepshire

What a card: This is Kurt Kepshire's first Topps card. He'd have only two. 1986 Topps was his last one.

My observation on the front: I can tell this is a spring training shot even with everything blurred out in the background.

More opinion from me: There are some '80s players that I knew very well back then who disappeared quickly and were instantly forgotten. Kepshire is one of them. And this is why I'm doing this blog.

Something you might know: After six years in the minors, Kepshire pitched his way into the Cardinals rotation with his 1984 showing the last three months of the season. He was a regular part of the NL champion Cardinals' rotation in 1985 but faded near the end of the season and was left off the postseason roster.

Something you might not know: Before the 2011 World Series, Kepshire predicted that the Cardinals would beat the Rangers in seven games. They did. But he also said the Cardinals would win the first two games. The Rangers won Game 2.

My observation on the back: The University of New Haven's most famous baseball alumnus is probably Steve Bedrosian.

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.

#421 - Dave Rucker

What a card: Dave Rucker was coming off his best season of his seven-year major league career when this card was issued. He appeared in 50 games as a reliever in 1984 and posted a 2.10 ERA.

My observation on the front: Rucker was already a Phillie by the time a lot of collectors pulled this card. He was dealt to Philadelphia for reliever Bill Campbell and shortstop Ivan DeJesus on April 6, 1985.

More opinion from me: Someone is going to have to do a study on why batting cages in the background make a photo so much better.

Something you might know: Rucker was a middle reliever for the Tigers, Cardinals, Phillies and Pirates. Not a lot else to say.

Something you might not know: Between 1960-86, Rucker made the second-most appearances among left-handed relievers (34 in 1983) without recording a save. Ed Vande Berg was far away the leader with 60 in 1986.

My observation on the back: Topps could be accused of rubbing it in with the trivia question here. The Padres lost to the Tigers in the 1984 World Series. The Tigers were Rucker's former team. He was traded from the Tigers the year before they won the World Series.

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