#93T - Rick Reuschel

What a card: Rick Reuschel signed as a free agent with the Pirates in February, 1985.

How'd that go: Great. The 1985 season was the start of Reuschel's career resurgence. After missing plenty of time in the early '80s due to injury and surgery, Reuschel posted a 14-8 record for the Pirates in '85 with a 2.27 ERA in 26 starts with 138 strikeouts, marking a return to his performance from 1972-80 when he was a regular part of the Cubs' rotation. He also won his first Gold Glove award.

Backatya: There are two completely different thoughts in that paragraph at the bottom and because of that, every time I read "Rick enjoys carpentry," I chuckle inside.

 

Back-to-back: Those would essentially be the same card if not for Reuschel's pill-box cap.

The flagship card is No. 306 in the set and was originally blogged on July 1, 2014.

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

#89T - Joe Orsulak

What a card: This is the 21st rookie card in the 1985 Topps Traded set. Joe Orsulak played in 121 games for the Pirates in 1985 and finished sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

My observation on the front: I see a Mets fan in the stands, rooting for Orsulak to be retired, no doubt.

More opinion from me: Major leaguers with a last name beginning in "O" is something of rarity. The first "O" players I remember were from the 1974 and 1975 Topps sets: Bob Oliver, Claude Osteen, Johnny Oates, John "Blue Moon" Odom and Steve Ontiveros. I definitely took note when Joe Orsulak started appearing on cards.

Something you might know: Orsulak played right field in the first game played at Camden Yards in 1992 and made the first putout at the park, catching a fly ball by the Indians' Kenny Lofton (The Orioles won 2-0 and both starting pitchers, Rick Sutcliffe for the O's and Charles Nagy for the Indians, pitched complete games).

Something you might not know: Orsulak, at 14 seasons played, is in the top 60 all-time of major leaguers who played the longest without appearing in the postseason. Orsulak's absence is even more notable as he played during a time of expanded playoffs.

My observation on the back: I'm not sure how many trivia questions in this set have been about the Championship Series, but it has to be the leading source for Championship Series trivia. I can't find half of this stuff online.

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

#75T - Sixto Lezcano

What a card: Sixto Lezcano signed as a free agent with the Pirates on Jan. 22, 1985 after two seasons with the Phillies.

How'd that go: Uh ... Lezcano came to bat just 116 times in 1985 and batted .207. He was released by the Pirates in April 1986 and that was it for his 12-year MLB career.

Backatya: Lezcano's 1980 season is a shame because I think if he did as well that year as he done the previous three seasons, he could have stayed with the Brewers his whole career.

Back-to-back: On his Traded card, Lezcano appears to be displaying the wood-chopping motion that he used prior to the pitcher delivering the pitch.

Also, this is the second straight Pirates card featured, the third in the last nine posts and the sixth in the Traded set. The Pirates were plenty busy in 1985, not that it helped them much.

The flagship card in No. 556 and was originally blogged on July 21, 2016.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.

#74T - Johnnie LeMaster

What a card: Johnnie LeMaster was traded from the Giants to the Indians on May 7, 1985. But he lasted just 11 games with the Indians before being dealt to the Pirates on May 30, 1985.

How'd that go: He batted a combined .128 for the 1985 season among three teams -- an average even lousy for him, a career .222 hitter.

Backatya: I owned a couple of Frank LeMaster football cards when I was a kid (1977 and 1979 sets) and had no idea he was related to Johnnie LeMaster.

Back-to-back: The Traded LeMaster card is a super-tight shot that would have been right at home on this post.

The flagship card is No. 772 in the set and was originally blogged on March 29, 2018.

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

#66T - Steve Kemp

What a card: Steve Kemp moved from the Yankees to the Pirates on Dec. 20, 1984 in the deal that sent Dale Berra and Jay Buhner to the Yankees.

How'd that go: Almost the end of the line for Kemp. He generated one season in 1985 that was much like his dismal show with the Yankees except without the power. The Pirates released him in 1986. He played in a handful of games for Texas in 1988.

Backatya: When I posted Kemp's flagship card with this trivia question, 16 players had formed the four-homer club. That total is now 18 with Scooter Gennett and J.D. Martinez joining in 2017. 

Back-to-back: In the world of hatless Steve Kemp cards, his '85 Traded card cannot compare to his '82 Traded card.

The flagship card is way off center and card No. 120 and was originally blogged on Dec. 4, 2012. 

The blog wants to speak now: The Music category is updated with the final Top 5 chart of the year.

#55T - Al Holland

What a card: Al Holland came to the Pirates in a deal with the Phillies on April 20, 1985 that sent popular reliever Kent Tekulve to the Phillies.

How'd that go: About as well as the Pirates' trade for George Hendrick mentioned a few posts ago. Holland, who had saved more than 20 games for the Phillies the previous two years, saved but five in 1985, posted a 1-5 mark and was shipped along with Hendrick to the Angels in August of that year.

 Backatya: I wasn't aware that Holland began with the Pirates, so this was a return to where it all started.

Back-to-back: The flagship card is No. 185 and was originally blogged on June 13, 2013.

I prefer the flagship card. The Pirates' pillbox caps weren't as much fun when the Pirates stopped wearing the wild gold-and-black unis.

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

#51T - George Hendrick

What a card: George Hendrick came to Pittsburgh in a deal that sent pitcher John Tudor and catcher Brian Harper to the Cardinals on Dec. 12, 1984.

How'd that go: Miserable. Hendrick lasted just 69 games with the Pirates, batted .230, grumbled and was accused of dogging it. The Pirates sent him to the Angels on Aug. 2, 1985, along with other ne'er-do-wells John Candelaria and Al Holland (the Pirates were full of troublemakers at the time) in exchange for Mike Brown, Pat Clements and player-to-be-named-later, Bob Kipper.

Backatya: Hendrick's All-Star Game selection in 1983 was the last of four in his career. He didn't appear in the '83 game.

Back-to-back: Hendrick's Traded card is a bit of a landmark in that it's not only an early backward-cap appearance (Jeff Leonard displays the backward cap twice in the '85 set, so no biggie), but it's a backward pillbox cap. How many times has that appeared on cardboard?

The flagship Hendrick card is No. 60 and was blogged about on June 7, 2012. I also alluded to his Traded card.

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

#2T - Bill Almon

What a card: Bill Almon signed with the Pirates as a free agent on April 8, 1985, the first day of the baseball season.

How'd that go: It was Almon's return to the National League since playing for the Mets in 1980. He improved his numbers from 1984, but it also marked the end of his days as a full-time player.

Backatya: The only thing that changes on the card backs from the player's flagship card, other than the card number and the much brighter color, is the acquisition information in the vital stats.

Back to back:

The original card is No. 607, blogged on Dec. 14, 2016.

I enjoy the position change. Also, this is the third Bill Almon card in the 1985 flagship/traded set as he also appeared in the No. 1 draft picks subset. That's pretty impressive for a non-star player.

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

#748 - Lee Mazzilli

What a card: These were not good times for Lee Mazzilli as his playing time and productivity continued to decline. He appeared in 111 games in 1984 but came to bat just 266 times as he was often used as a pinch-hitter. His playing time would decrease even more in 1985.

My observation on the front: I will never get used to Mazzilli in a Pirates uniform.

More opinion from me: My favorite Mazzilli moment was his game-tying home run for the National League in the eighth inning of the 1979 All-Star Game. My least favorite Mazzilli moment was his bitching and moaning after the Mets traded him to the Rangers in 1982.

Something you might know: Mazzilli was traded from the Rangers to the Yankees for Bucky Dent. One matinee idol for another.

Something you might not know: In Class A ball in 1975, Mazzilli stole seven bases in a seven-inning game.

My observation on the back: Lee and Dani were married in 1984. She was co-host of WNEW-TV's PM Magazine show at the time.

The blog wants to speak now: The blog has a splitting headache, so we'll skip this segment this time.

#695 - Rick Rhoden

What a card: Rick Rhoden continued to a be a consistent winner for the Pirates in 1984, recording 14 victories with a 2.72 ERA in 33 starts.

My observation on the front: Even though Rhoden wore that mustache throughout the '80s, I still associate him with his Dodger days and that stache was not there then.

More opinion from me: I was rather unhappy when Rhoden was traded to the Pirates in '79. I had been a fan since he went 12-3 in 1976 (with 10 complete games!). Jerry Reuss was a good get for the Dodgers, but it still pains me a little.

Something you might know: Rhoden was a solid starter for the Dodgers, Pirates and Yankees and probably equally well-known for his hitting prowess, winning the Silver Slugger Award for his position three separate years.

Something you might not know: Rhoden was part of trade that fell through between the Yankees and the Giants after the 1988 season. The Yankees would send Rhoden and Don Mattingly to the Giants for Will Clark and pitchers Atlee Hammaker and Craig Lefferts. But the Giants scrapped the deal after learning that another of their pitchers, Dave Dravecky, had a tumor on his pitching arm.

My observation on the back: This is one of those bright green backs that pop up every so often in this set. It's not really a variation (unless you want to make it one).

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

#669 - Lee Lacy

What a card: This is Lee Lacy's final card as a Pittsburgh Pirate. He had signed with the Orioles as a free agent by the time this card appeared in packs.

My observation on the front: Many of the Pirates cards in this set are alike. See if you can spot the similarities. And I'm not talking about them wearing the same uniform.

More opinion from me: I was a Lee Lacy backer when he was with the Dodgers. I wanted him to start, I was quite disappointed when he was traded to the Braves, and I was elated when he was traded back to L.A. and one of the first 1977 Topps Dodgers cards I pulled was Lee Lacy.

Something you might know: A pinch-hitting specialist with the Dodgers, he hit five pinch-hit home runs in 1978, including a record-setting three straight. He played in the World Series three straight years, in 1977 and 1978 with the Dodgers and 1979 with the Pirates.

Something you might not know: Lacy was once tagged out at second base on a walk to the next batter. Lacy was on first base when a 3-1 pitch was made to batter Omar Moreno during a game against the Reds. Lacy took off for second on the pitch, which was ball four. The second base ump called Lacy out on the tag, even though he was safe because of the walk. But Lacy didn't check the home ump's call and started trotting back to the dugout thinking he was out. When he spotted Moreno trotting to first on the walk, he tried to scramble back to second. But shortstop Davey Concepcion tagged him and the second base ump called Lacy out again.

My observation on the back: If that birth date for Lacy's son is correct, it means Lacy was 17 when his son was born. I'm going to say that date is wrong. Also, Lacy's daughter, Jennifer, who played in the WNBA, was born in 1983 but is not mentioned in the writeup.

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

#641 - Rod Scurry

What a card: This is Rod Scurry's final card with the Pirates. He was purchased by the Yankees in September 1985.

My observation on the front: Given Scurry's harrowing, drug-filled 1984 season, I can't imagine what's going through his head here.

More opinion from me: Scurry's 1984 season included the following: drug use, a substance abuse rehab stint, public admission of taking cocaine, visits from the FBI, revealing to the authorities a network of dealers peddling drugs to National League players, and finally falling off the wagon and asking for a high-ball of cocaine from his hospital room while recovering from knee surgery that fall. I read about the Pittsburgh drug trial in the newspaper in 1985, but I was never really aware of how crazy it all was.

Something you might know: Scurry broke out big in 1982 by appearing in 76 games for the Pirates and posting a 1.74 ERA. But drug use killed his career and he died from a cocaine-induced heart attack at age 36 in 1992.

Something you might not know: Scurry's public admission of using cocaine in May 1984 came about after a drug-fueled disaster while the Pirates were in L.A. for a road series. Scurry had cocaine smuggled into a newly delivered baseball glove, went out partying while his teammates slept, and started hallucinating when he returned, tearing his room and TV apart in a rage because he thought cameras were planted in it.

My observation on the back: The Rangers led the league in saves in 2016 with 56. It doesn't mean much. The Cubs were 22nd and the Indians 24th in that category in 2016 and they played each other in the World Series.

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

#615 - Marvell Wynne

What a card: Marvell Wynne was coming off what would be the best season of his eight-year major league career when this card was issued. In 1984, he achieved his only season of more than 100 hits (174), and he set career highs in several categories.

My observation on the front: Nice-looking card. The gold jersey-black pants combo was the best of the Pirates' many '80s uniform combinations, plus I do love me a basepaths photo.

More opinion from me: I wish the yellow behind the word "Pirates" matched with the yellow in the logo and on the jersey.

Something you might know: Wynne was a fleet-footed center fielder, pegged to be the Pirates' lead-off hitter, but he struggled to hit consistently and encountered injuries. His son, Marvell II, has played in Major League Soccer for the last decade.

Something you might not know: Wynne kicked off back-to-back-to-back home runs by the Padres to lead off the bottom of the first inning in San Diego's home opener against the Giants on April 13, 1987. Tony Gwynn and John Kruk followed Wynne with homers, and all of them came off of Roger Mason. But the Giants won the game, 13-6.

My observation on the back: I'm not sure I consider "listening to music" a hobby. It comes close to describing "eating" as a hobby. I've come across a few people who don't listen to music, but they are a rarity.

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

#587 - Doug Frobel

What a card: This is the final card issued of Doug Frobel by Topps during his playing career. He received just two Topps cards, the first in 1984.

My observation on the front: Frobel was a tall, lanky player who looked a bit odd in the get-up the Pirates were still wearing.

More opinion from me: For me, at the time, Frobel symbolized the demise of the Pirates. After years of familiar players like Stargell, Parker, Sanguillen, Madlock and Blyleven, Pittsburgh was relying on guys named "Frobel" and "Orsulak".

Something you might know: Frobel was an all-or-nothing-type hitter from Ottawa, Canada, who struck out 155 times in 542 career at-bats. In 1984, he and Terry Puhl were the only Canadians in MLB.

Something you might not know: Frobel's father, Frank, owned parking lots in Ottawa that made the family a good amount of money. Doug Frobel has a park named after him in Nepean, Ontario, which is just south of Ottawa.

My observation on the back: Merival's nickname is the Marauders.

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

#560 - Bill Madlock

What a card: This is Bill Madlock's final card as a Pittsburgh Pirate issued during his career. He was traded to the Dodgers at the end of August 1985.

My observation on the front: I know this won't be popular with people nostalgic for the 1980s, but around this time, the Pirates' old-time pillbox caps were getting a little tired (the team was going through some tough times in the mid-1980s, so that didn't help either). They would last only a couple more years.

More opinion from me: Madlock was a favorite of mine. Before Tony Gwynn came along, he was the National League's answer to Rod Carew. Although a favorite, I didn't want the Dodgers to trade for Madlock because my favorite player, Ron Cey, played the same position. After Cey left, Madlock did appear with the Dodgers. But he didn't have a lot left.

Something you might know: Madlock started his career with a bang in Chicago, leading the National League in hitting in back-to-back years in 1975 and 1976. He'd win two more batting titles (1981, 1983) before his career was over.

Something you might not know: Madlock endured a terrible time in winter ball in the Dominican Republic between the 1973 and 1974 seasons. Playing in a small town and with his wife and kids there, too, he struggled on the field and then found out while he was there that he was traded to the Cubs. He was playing so poorly, the fans started accusing him of throwing games. During one game, he popped up with the bases loaded. The fans let loose, screaming at him and throwing oranges and bottles. As Madlock walked to the dugout, he made an offensive gesture toward the crowd. That infuriated the fans more. Madlock's wife tried to leave the stands, dragging her kids with her, but the fans knew who she was and started throwing objects at her, too. After the fans had left, players arrived to escort her away. Madlock sent his family home soon afterward and he left a few days later.

My observation on the back: The reference to Madlock's 30-plus antique clocks appears to be from a 1982 newspaper article. Not sure how many more he accumulated during his career. Wonder if he still has them?

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

#537 - Don Robinson

What a card: This is Don Robinson's card following his first year as a full-time reliever. After six seasons working primarily as a starter, Robinson appeared in 38 games in relief in 1984, saving 10 games, his first year of double-digit saves.

My observation on the front: Robinson really makes that old-time pillbox cap with the hair and the mustache. With the exception of the gold pullover, he looks like he stepped out of 1890.

More opinion from me: Sadly, when Robinson was traded to the Giants, he shaved the mustache. However, I was pleased to read this quote about Robinson's reaction when the Pirates dealt him: "When I was traded to the Giants, I cried."

Something you might know: Robinson was known as one of the better-hitting pitchers when he played. He hit 13 career home runs in 631 at-bats with a .231 batting average.

Something you might not know: Robinson surrendered Mike Schmidt's 500th home run, which was a three-run, ninth-inning shot that gave the Phillies the 8-6 victory. But Schmidt hit just a career .150 (9-for-60) against Robinson.

My observation on the back: This card was issued a year after "Terminator," so using "IBB" to mean "I'll Be Back" hadn't stuck yet.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.

#509 - Milt May

What a card: This is the final card of Milt May issued during his career. He was granted free agency status after the 1984 season and was not signed.

My observation on the front: You've gotta love that pill box cap turned backward and not a helmet in sight.

More opinion from me: Even though May started and ended his career with the Pirates, and played for five teams overall, I'll always think of him as an Astro. He played just two years for the Astros, but his '75 card with Houston was among my early pulls the first year I collected.

Something you might know: May's pinch-hit single in the seventh inning of Game 4 of the 1971 World Series scored Bob Robertson with the eventual winning run in a 4-3 victory for the Pirates over the Orioles.

Something you might not know: May's son, Scott, was a pro prospect in high school when he was involved in a severe car crash on Christmas Eve 1990. He suffered multiple head injuries, including a fractured skull, and was in a coma for 10 days. But Scott May recovered and signed a pro deal with the Pirates in 1996.

My observation on the back: Even though May is the son of a major league player, he was not included in Topps' Father-Son subset in this set. I'm guessing it's because Pinky May played before Topps made cards and a Topps card of the father was featured on every card in the subset.

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

#490 - Jason Thompson

What a card: Jason Thompson was entering the last full season of his 11-year career when this card was issued.

My observation on the front: Thompson was known as a fine fielder, but this is the only time that Topps showed him fielding (Donruss showed Thompson fielding in back-to-back sets in 1983 and 1984).

More opinion from me: I've told this story a few times already, but it's the first thing I think of when I hear the name Jason Thompson. The Tigers, for whom Thompson was expected to be a big star, were playing in the Game Of The Week on NBC in 1980. It wasn't the main featured game, it was the backup game, which meant the backup announcing crew. Instead of Joe Garagiola and Tony Kubek, we had Merle Harmon and Ron Luciano. Luciano, the former umpire, was in his first season as a color man for NBC. He was awful. The worst. Think of the worst broadcaster you've ever heard; he was that. He had no clue what he was doing, and he was forever trying to be a comedian and all of his jokes bombed. So, anyway, Thompson was at the plate. He wasn't doing well and everyone was wondering what became of the man who was supposed to be a mainstay in Detroit for years. Luciano decided it was because Thompson didn't have "the killer instinct." I'm pretty sure he came up with that idea right on the spot. But he worked it for all it was worth. Thompson just doesn't have it. He doesn't have that killer instinct. Luciano said it five or six times. Well, it might have been the next pitch or not, but it was pretty soon after Luciano uttered "killer instinct" for the last time and Thompson nailed a pitch that traveled faster than any home run out of the ballpark that I had seen to that date. So much for "killer instinct." I never knew whether Luciano and Harmon backtracked in embarrassment because my brother and I were too busy hooting over Luciano. By the way, Luciano is from the same town as I am. So, yeah.

Something you might know: Thompson emerged quickly as a slugger for the Tigers, and he hit 31 home runs and drove in 105 batters as a 22-year-old in 1977. He was known for hitting titanic blasts over the roofs of stadiums.

Something you might not know: Thompson was traded to the Yankees, but he never played for them. The Angels traded Thompson to the Pirates, who turned around and shipped him to the Yankees. But the commissioner voided the trade to the Yankees because too much money was involved in the deal, and Thompson was returned to the team that didn't even want him.

My observation on the back: Cal State Northridge picked a good year to induct Thompson. 1982 was perhaps his best season.

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