#275 - The 1977 No. 1 Draft Pick - Harold Baines

What a card: This card recognizes Harold Baines as the first pick of the 1977 MLB draft by the White Sox. Chicago selected him just ahead of Bill Gullickson and Paul Molitor.

My observation on the front: I'd love to know when this photo was taken. All of Baines's early White Sox cards show him with a full beard, including his rookie card in 1981. This card appears to be taken during the same time as the photo on this card. But that still doesn't tell me when. Just curious whether this is a photo from before his '81 Topps picture.

More opinion from me: Baines is another victim of the "snow" that has appeared on some of the cards in this set. It unfairly portrays him as having a dandruff problem.

Something you might know: The White Sox picked Baines even though Gullickson was from nearby Orland Park, Ill.

Something you might not know: Baines was a participant in one of the more horrific "pitcher-hit-by-batted-ball" incidents in MLB history. In 1981, Baines' line drive up the middle caught A's reliever Bo McLaughlin in the face, fracturing McLaughlin's jaw, nose, cheekbone and shattering his eye socket in five places. McLaughlin was in such poor condition that doctors weren't sure he'd last the night. He'd never win another game.

My observation on the back: Well, we finally have an interesting little tidbit about Bill Veeck observing Baines on a Little League field, but it was already mentioned on Baines' base card.

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

#249 - Harold Baines

What a card: Harold Baines was coming off probably his best season to this point in his career in 1984, setting career highs in hits, triples, home runs, batting average, on-base percentage and leading the American League in slugging (.541).

My observation on the front: Baines looks thoroughly perplexed by something.

More opinion from me: Baines was always too smiley and docile-looking on his cards to appear "bad-ass," but this is about as close he gets to it. It's a fine card and I think Baines turned out well on his cards in 1985. I think his '85 Donruss card is close to perfection.

Something you might know: A king of the designated hitter, Baines held a number of DH records upon his retirement. He's still the all-time leader in games played as a DH (1,688).

Something you might not know: I missed posting this card on "Harold Baines Day" by two lousy days. January 9 is "Harold Baines Day" in his hometown of St. Michaels, Maryland.

My observation on the back: Denny McLain's name is misspelled on the trivia answer.

The blog wants to speak now: The TV category has been updated with an interview with someone who spent most of his music career out of the mainstream but stepped into the mainstream in the mid-1980s.