#714 - Mike Schmidt All-Star

What a card: Mike Schmidt was coming off his seventh season of leading the league in home runs, socking 36 in 1984.

My observation on the front: Hey, we're back at spring training. Very nice.

More opinion from me: That's a good look at the Phillies' 100th anniversary patch. However, the Phillies' 100th anniversary was 1983, so this appears to be a picture of Schmidt that's more than a year old.

All-Star Game performance: Schmidt went 0-for-3 in the 1984 All-Star Game, striking out twice.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: It's legit. If it was the '80s, Schmidt was starting.

My observation on the back: Schmidt leads the league in home runs and RBIs so Topps goes with ... runs?

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

#500 - Mike Schmidt

What a card: Mike Schmidt delivered his usual impressive output in 1984, but the team that made the World Series in 1983 was in trouble. The Phillies finished at .500 in 1984 and were about to plummet into some dark years.

My observation the front: I've been a little harsh on the photos selected for Schmidt for Topps cards. But some of them are pretty good and this one isn't bad. Schmidt on the base paths. It's different.

More opinion from me: Schmidt looks like he could break anything in half just by looking at it.

Something you might know: The greatest power hitter of the 1980s and in Phillies history, Schmidt led the league in home runs eight times.

Something you might not know: On the day that Schmidt hit four home runs in a game in 1976, he used the bat of pinch-hitting reserver infielder Tony Taylor. The bat was an ounce lighter and an inch shorter than the one he normally used.

My observation on the back: This is the 4th of 5 straight years that Schmidt received a card number with a double zero. Also, there is just no need to abbreviate Ohio to "O."

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