#716 - Dale Murphy All-Star

What a card: Dale Murphy was coming off another season in which he played 162 games when this card was issued. He led the NL in home runs, slugging percentage and total bases.

My observation on the front: That's definitely spring training. A chain-link fence and what appears to be a ranch home are tell-tale signs.

More opinion from me: Murphy is sweaty. Ew.

All-Star Game performance: Murphy went 2-for-3 and drove in a run for the National League in the 1984 All-Star Game. His hits accounted for the NL's first and last runs in a 3-1 victory.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: It's legitimate. He played the whole game.

My observation on the back: Oof. Ron Cey in the league leaders as a Cub. That hurts.

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

#320 - Dale Murphy

What a card: This card arrived in packs after Dale Murphy hit 36 home runs and drove in at least 100 runs for the third straight year. Yet he did not win the National League MVP for the third straight year. He finished ninth. Slacker.

My observation on the front: That is a good look at the ever-present birthmark on Murphy's right cheek.

More opinion from me: Is that two different shades of blue between the jersey top and pants? Not cool.

Something you might know: Probably the most productive National League hitter of the 1980s, Murphy started out as a catcher, but struggled behind the plate. His career took off after he converted to the outfield.

Something you might not know: When Murphy ended his consecutive games played streak at 740 games in July of 1986, the honor for the longest active streak fell to eventual ironman champion Cal Ripken Jr., who had played in 686 straight games at the time.

My observation on the back: Every current major league manager is looking at this trivia quiz and saying, "So? Is this a big deal?"

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