#600 - Pete Rose

What a card: This is the third and final card of Pete Rose in the set and the second of his non-subset cards (the first was just 53 cards ago).

My observation on the front: Rose's other non-subset card was considered his manager card, so I don't know why "manager" is denoted on this card.

More opinion from me: In 1985, seeing more than one card of the same player was a bit of a rarity, especially if he wasn't an All-Star. Today players get four cards in the Update set alone just to drive player-collectors crazy.

Something you might know: Rose enjoyed a grand return to Cincinnati during the 1984 season, being installed as player-manager and hitting .365 in 26 games. In 1985, he'd play in 119 games, produce 107 hits, set the all-time hits record, and appear in the All-Star Game.

Something you might not know:  Rose threw out the first pitch of the 1985 All-Star Game with Nolan Ryan, who were both playing in that game and being saluted for their longevity. Rose threw his pitch to the Blue Jays' Ernie Whitt and Ryan threw to the Phillies' Ozzie Virgil.

My observation on the back: That one portion of a year with the Expos will never not be weird.

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

#547 - Pete Rose

What a card: This is the second of three Pete Rose cards in the set. Rose was named the Reds' player-manager in August 1984 and Topps took the opportunity to issue both a card of Rose as a player and as a manager. This is the manager card.

My observation on the front: I like how "Rose with his hat off" signifies "the manager card."

More opinion from me: Topps did issue multiple cards for player-managers of the 1970s, Frank Robinson and Joe Torre, but in a different way. Managers were shown as small inset head shots on the team checklist card at the time, so Robinson and Torre appeared on the team checklist and had their own solo card.

Something you might know: Rose is the most recent player-manager in MLB history. He both played and managed for the Reds until 1986.

Something you might not know: The Reds retired Rose's number 14 on Sunday. The first player to have his number retired by the Reds was Johnny Bench, whose number was retired in 1984, about one week before the Reds reaquired Bench's former teammate, Rose, and named him player-manager, and 32 years before Rose's number was retired.

My observation on the back: According to my research, Rose actually was acquired by the Reds on Aug. 16, 1984. Cincinnati sent infielder Tom Lawless to the Expos in the deal.

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

#6 - Record Breaker, Pete Rose

What a card: This card recognizes Pete Rose achieving the record for most singles in a career. Rose still holds the all-time mark with 3,215.

My observation on the front: Looks like a game against the Padres. I have no idea which team surrendered Rose's record-setting single, but my guess is the Padres were responsible for providing several players with record-setting achievements.

More opinion from me: Rose is all over this set with at least three cards. But that would be nothing compared to the Rose-palooza that opens the 1986 Topps set.

Something you might know: Rose holds the record for most outs made in a career with 10,328. No one is even close to it.

Something you might not know: Pete Rose was the first ballplayer I ever learned to hate. Surprised it wasn't a Yankee? Yeah, me, too.

My observation on the back: I'm not sure why Topps chose to recognize Rose with a card for most career singles but not a card for most career games.

The blog wants to speak now: The 1985 (and 1971) Topps blog will remain open over the next 24 hours, but I do invite you to read up on the SOPA and PIPA initiatives in the U.S. Senate and do the right thing. You want to continue to read this blog, don't you?