#709 - Mike Boddicker All-Star

What a card: Mike Boddicker ranked among the top American League pitchers in 1984, leading the league in earned-run average (2.79) and victories (20).

My observation on the front: This spring training shot captures some of the crowd, right down to the standing dude in brown pants and some sort of checked shirt.

More opinion from me: Boddicker features the dark-haired good looks that the Orioles seemed to continuously churn out for its pitching staff during a period that began with Jim Palmer and ended with Mike Mussina.

All-Star performance: Boddicker was named to the AL All-Star pitching staff for the 1984 game but didn't get to play.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: Fake. The fact that Topps is narrowing it down to "right-handed" and "left-handed" categories tips you off that there's some tinkering going on. The right-handed Dave Stieb actually started the game but you have to go to Topps' glossy set to find an All-Star card of Stieb.

My observation on the back: Topps covers three of Boddicker's four shutouts in 1984. The one missing is from Sept. 9, 1984 when he shut out the Brewers.

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#225 - Mike Boddicker

What a card: This is Mike Boddicker's card after his first-and-only 20-win season. It was a pretty awesome way to thwart the sophomore jinx.

My observation on the front: Hey, you! You guys in the stands! YOU'RE ON A BASEBALL CARD!

More opinion from me: I hold Boddicker partly responsible for one of the dullest World Series I've ever witnessed. He threw a three-hitter in the Orioles' 4-1 Game 2 win over the Phillies en route to a 4-1 Series win in 1983.

Something you might know: Boddicker's tremendous postseason performance in his rookie season of 1983 solidified himself in Orioles lore. His five-hit, 14-strikeout shutout of the White Sox -- he was the first AL rookie to throw a playoff shutout -- earned him ALCS MVP honors.

Something you might not know: Boddicker turned down an offer to sign with the Montreal Expos in 1975. He was making $4.50 working in a grain elevator at the time.

My observation on the back: I believe the write-up is incorrect. Boddicker's sister married his high school coach. Boddicker married the daughter of his American Legion coach.

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