#68T - Alan Knicely

What a card: This is the fourth card in the 1985 Traded set of a player who didn't receive a card in the '85 flagship set but had received a card in past sets. Knicely appeared in just 10 games for the Reds in 1984.

My observation on the front: It's a little mean showing the backup catcher running. That's about the last reason a team puts a backup catcher in the lineup, at least it was during the 1980s.

More opinion from me: Knicely's Reds cards come out quite dorky with the prescription shades and such. But that's because of the Reds' anti-facial hair rules. Knicely looks much better during his days with the Astros and Phillies when he could get that beard going.

Something you might know: Knicely played eight seasons in the majors as a backup catcher. His most successful season was in 1985 when he hit .253 in 158 at-bats for the Reds (thus the traded card).

Something you might not know: Knicely started out in pro ball as a pitcher and you can find a few different minor league cards of him as a pitcher.

My observation on the back: The Yankees have now won 27 World Series. Bastards.

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

#11T - Tom Browning

What a card: This is the third rookie card in the 1985 Topps Traded set and one of the most coveted at the time as Browning was busy winning 20 games in his rookie season in 1985.

My observation on the front: Depending on your perspective, Browning's Topps rookie card is much better than or not nearly as interesting as his Fleer rookie card.

More opinion from me: You throw a no-hitter against the Dodgers, you're not on friendly terms with me.

Something you might know: Browning pitched the 12th perfect game in major league history against the Dodgers on Sept. 16, 1988.

Something you might not know: Browning grew up in Wyoming, but his high school years were spent in Upstate New York. He pitched in the same high school league as another future major league pitcher, Jim Deshaies. The pair, who each attended Le Moyne College, became the best pitchers to come out of Upstate New York since Johnny Podres. (My newspaper happens to cover the high school league in which Browning and Deshaies pitched, and, believe me, it is still a shock that talent like that came out of that league).

My observation on the back: After Browning threw his perfect game, Reds owner Marge Schott tried to include a clause in Browning's contract that said if Browning pitched another perfect game in 1989 that Browning's wife, Debbie, would receive a $300,000 bonus. The National League office nixed that clause.

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

#779 - Nick Esasky

What a card: Nick Esasky endured a miserable 1984 season after winning the third base job in 1983 and sparking a minor run on his 1984 rookie card.

My observation on the front: Esasky looks like a baseball player.

More opinion from me: I remember thinking that Esasky's name was odd and it would take me a while to learn how to pronounce it.

Something you might know: Esasky hit 30 home runs for the Red Sox in 1989. A year later, he was sidelined by vertigo, missing virtually the whole season with the Braves and never played again.

Something you might not know: Esasky took custody of his daughter's 1-year-old child 12 years ago because his daughter was hooked on methamphetamine and refused treatment. The custody action eventually forced his daughter into rehab. It appears -- although I'm not 100 percent sure -- that his daughter is fully recovered, graduated from the University of Akron in 2011 and has been working in New York City. (Esasky's daughter is not named in this story, but the nonprofit he announced in the article was called "K.I.M." (Kids In Meth) and one of his two daughters is named Kimberly. The other is Jennifer).

My observation on the back: Sammy Sosa now holds the NL record with his 20 home runs in June 1998.

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

#752 - Bob Owchinko

What a card: Bob Owchinko returned to a Topps set for the first time since 1983 after appearing in 49 games for the Reds in 1984.

My observation on the front: I'm hoping that Owchinko is sitting in the bullpen and not in the dugout in this photo. There aren't nearly enough bullpen shots, and all but four of Owchinko's appearances in 1984 were in relief.

More opinion from me: I can't think of Owchinko and not recall Roger Angell's New Yorker account of an Owchinko pitching performance while at Eastern Michigan. Bob Welch was also on that team and Angell wrote about him, too. I read about it in Angell's book "Five Seasons" when I was a teenager. That book left a major impression on me.

Something you might know: Owchinko was the No. 1 pick of the San Diego Padres (fifth overall) in the 1976 amateur draft.

Something you might not know: Owchinko is second all-time in career pitching appearances among players born on Jan. 1. Only Hall of Famer Tim Keefe has more (lots more, 600-275).

My observation on the back: The most recent player to steal home in a World Series here in 2018, I believe, is Angels designated hitter Brad Fullmer, who stole home on the front end of a double steal in the first inning of Game 2 of the 2002 World Series against the Giants. Records of steals of home aren't the greatest for some bizarre reason, but I think no one has done it in a WS since 2002.

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

#727 - Frank Pastore

What a card: Frank Pastore was in his seventh and final season with the Reds when this card was issued. He struggled in 1984 after being struck in the elbow by a batted ball. He missed time and finished with a 6.50 ERA.

My observation on the front: Is that a shadow on Pastore's right shoulder or a giant, expanding stain?

More opinion from me: That hat is really high.

Something you might know: Pastore went back to school and became a popular Christian radio broadcaster after his career, He hosted one of the largest Christian talk shows in the country. He died in 2012 from pneumonia a month after a motorcycle accident in which he suffered head injuries.

Something you might not know: Pastore once held the record for consuming the 72-ounce steak dinner at the Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas. Those who could eat the steak in less than an hour ate for free. Pastore beat the hour mark seven times and held the record by sucking down the steak in 9 1/2 minutes in 1987. The record was broken by famed hot dog-eating champion Joey Chestnut in 2008, who downed the monster steak in 8:52.

My observation on the back: If SHO stands for shutouts, then what's the abbreviation for shutout?

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

#675 - Tony Perez

What a card: Tony Perez returned to a Reds uniform in the 1985 set after being out of the uniform in a flagship set since 1977 Topps.

My observation on the front: You see Perez here and it's easy to forget he ever played for the Expos, Red Sox or Phillies.

More opinion from me: Perez was known as an RBI machine during his heyday, so much so that it was drilled into my head. I wonder if Perez was at its peak today what they would say about him, since RBIs are not fashionable.

Something you might know: A key member of The Big Red Machine, Perez was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Something you might not know: Perez started his professional career as a second baseman. In his first season, with Single A Geneva, N.Y., he played at second until someone named Pete Rose arrived and Perez was moved to third base.

My observation on the back: Topps was being a little charitable by giving Perez a number ending in "5". Perez hadn't posted a strong season since 1980 (although he did bat .328 in 1985, maybe Topps knew something).

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

#651 - Jeff Russell

What a card: This is Jeff Russell's card after his first full season in the major leagues. The future closer appeared in 33 games in 1984 and started 30 of them, suffering a league-leading 18 losses.

My observation on the front: I'm certain I did not know Russell until he was with the Rangers and featured a mustache and beard. I've got to admit this card here is a bit alarming.

More opinion from me: You can tell this photo was taken the spring training before the 1984 season. No one smiles like that after going 6-18.

Something you might know: Russell was an All-Star closer for the Rangers in 1988 and 1989 and led the American League in saves with 38 in 1989.

Something you might not know: Russell's son, James, a relief pitcher for the Cubs, Braves and Phillies between 2010-16, is married to Nikki Witt, the daughter of former pitcher Bobby Witt. Bobby was a teammate of Jeff Russell's with the Rangers and A's.

My observation on the back: When you start the season 35-5, fans will want to come out to see your games.

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

#627 - Eric Davis

What a card: Indeed. This is Eric Davis' rookie card and the last of the coveted rookie cards from this set.

My observation on the front: Classic shot of Davis looking toward his future while wearing a necklace that may or may not feature his own first name (my eyes aren't that sharp anymore).

More opinion from me: Davis didn't break out with a great season until 1986. Since I didn't/don't hunt for rookie cards, I don't know if collectors overlooked this card the first couple of years. Prospecting wasn't a big deal yet.

Something you might know: Davis is one of just two players to hit more than 20 home runs and steal 80 bases in a season. Rickey Henderson is the other one.

Something you might not know: Davis once appeared on a stamp issued by the country of Grenada, commemorating the 1987 All-Star Game.

My observation on the back: Twelve consecutive hits also is the major league record (Walt Dropo, 1952).

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

#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.

#597 - Brad Lesley

What a card: This the only Topps card of Brad Lesley, who appeared in 16 games for the Reds in 1984. He appears in just one other major release, in the 1983 Donruss set.

My observation the front: Lesley became known as a much hairier individual after his major league career. I'm sure the Reds' policy against facial hair was just killing him.

More opinion from me: Lesley played in just 49 games for the Reds, but I remember him well because of his histrionics on the mound after getting a strikeout. It's a shame Twitter wasn't around for this guy.

Something you might know: Lesley was nicknamed "The Animal" because of his theatrics. But he was done in the majors by 1985 and became even more well-known to a younger generation by appearing in sports movies throughout the 1990s. He was the cranky pitcher in "Little Big League" and Alan Niven in "Mr. Baseball". He was in a nursing home at the end of his life and died of a heart attack in 2013.

Something you might not know: Lesley was enormously popular in Japan, where he played for two years. He started in acting there and appeared on many Japanese game show challenges. He also starred in a samurai film titled "The Animal Goes To Japan".

My observation on the back: Antics! That's exactly what they were.

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

#573 - Jay Tibbs

What a card: For his rookie card, Jay Tibbs is airbrushed into a Reds uniform after being dealt from the Mets in June of 1984. Apparently nobody could get their hands on a photo of Tibbs for the final three months of the season.

My observation the back: The art job on the cap and the logo isn't bad. The jersey, though, needs some work.

More opinion from me: Tibbs never pitched for the Mets prior to his trade to the Reds, unless perhaps in spring training. So I'm wondering if the uniform Tibbs is actually wearing is from a Mets minor league team.

Something you might know: Tibbs enjoyed a solid 1985 season as a starter for the Reds, following Tom Browning and Mario Soto in the rotation. He had less success in subsequent years with the Expos and Orioles, suffering a miserable 4-15, 5.39 ERA for the miserable 1988 Orioles.

Something you might not know: Tibbs went 456 major league innings pitched before he hit a batter. The first was Jim Morrison of the Pirates on Aug. 4, 1986. He'd hit just six batters in 862 2/3 career innings.

My observation on the back: That season for Lynchburg in 1983 really stands out.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames 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.

#515 - Dave Concepcion

What a card: Dave Concepcion was still going strong as the Reds' starting shortstop when this card was made. He was entering his 16th season at the position.

My observation on the front: Concepcion is in that moment of indecision where he could advance to second base (or third base) or back track to first (or second).

More opinion from me: You can see the "C" designation on Concepcion's arm sleeve. 1984 was Concepcion's first season as the Reds' third team captain. I never liked posting the "C" on a captain's jersey. I associate that with hockey and that's where it should stay.

Something you might know: Concepcion played 19 seasons for the Reds, was the shortstop for the Big Red Machine years, won the All-Star Game MVP award in 1982, and his No. 13 -- worn as a tribute by successful shortstops to follow like Omar Vizquel -- has been retired by Cincinnati.

Something you might not know: Concepcion pitched in one game in the majors, and it happened during the final season of his career. In a June 3, 1988 game, Concepcion was brought in with two outs in the seventh inning with the Reds down 13-4 to the Dodgers. He retired Rick Dempsey on a groundout, then returned to the mound for the eighth. Steve Sax and Danny Heep singled off of Concepcion, but he stopped the rally by retiring Franklin Stubbs on a swinging strike.

My observation on the back: That's a lot of information crammed on there. Good thing Concepcion's third child, Daneska, hadn't been born yet.

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

#495 - Mario Soto

What a card: Mario Soto was coming off a season in which he won a career-high 18 games when this card was issued.

My observation on the front: Soto is smiling broadly because he just completed one of the best five-year spans for a pitcher from that period.

More opinion from me: Soto was one of the more despised pitchers during my initial Dodgers rooting phase. He seemed to own the Dodgers, although I couldn't prove it in this post.

Something you might know: Soto was the ace of the Reds squad during the early 1980s, particularly in 1983 and 1984. He finished in the top 10 in Cy Young Award voting three times between 1980-84 and was annually among the leaders in strikeouts.

Something you might not know: Soto is one of 29 major league pitchers to have allowed four home runs in one inning. He did it in 1986 against the Expos (Andre Dawson, Hubie Brooks, Tim Wallach, Mike Fitzgerald).

My observation on the back: Hey, it's a trivia question about Tony Gywnn. I think there's a blogger or two who collects his cards. Just a couple.

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

#468 - Wayne Krenchicki

What a card: Wayne Krenchicki was coming off probably the most productive season of his career when this card was issue. He finished with just 181 at-bats in 1984, but he set career highs in batting average (.298), slugging percentage (.470) and OPS (.827).

My observation on the front: Krenchicki went without the mustache when he was with the Reds because of Cincinnati's no-facial-hair policy. But it always looked weird to me because I first learned of him when he was with the Orioles in '81 and he wore a mustache. You know he wanted that mustache, too, because when he moved from the Reds to the Expos for the '86 season, the stache was back again.

More opinion from me: My brothers and I loved saying Krenchicki's last name. One of the overlooked best baseball names of the '80s.

Something you might know: Krenchicki is known as the player who was sent down to the minors in 1981 so the Orioles could call up Cal Ripken Jr.

Something you might not know: Krenchicki is hailed as the best shortstop that the University of Miami ever had. That may not have been the case had Alex Rodriguez decided to attend Miami. Rodriguez signed a letter of intent with the Hurricanes but then went straight to the majors from high school.

My observation on the back: Bronwinn Krenchicki??? That is now my favorite baseball player wife name ever.

The blog wants to speak now: The Other Cards category is updated.

#441 - Duane Walker

What a card: This is Duane Walker's final card as a Cincinnati Red, the team that drafted him. He was dealt to the Rangers in the middle of the 1985 season.

My observation on the front: Walker's cap is never going to stay on like that.

More opinion from me: I have a terrible time with the name "Duane". I knew a kid growing up named Duane and he was one weird kid from one weird family.

Something you might know: Walker was one of many young Cincinnati outfielders in the early 1980s. He couldn't compete with the likes of Eddie Milner, Gary Redus and, later, Eric Davis.

Something you might not know: Walker was part of the trade that allowed the Rangers to obtain future closer Jeff Russell. The Reds wanted 34-year-old Buddy Bell and it took Russell and Walker to get him.

My observation on the back: You don't grow up when I did and not think of "Urban Cowboy" when you see Pasadena, Texas. That mechanical bull was a really big deal.

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

#417 - John Franco

What a card: This is John Franco's rookie card in a Topps set. His first major-issue card appears in the 1984 Fleer Update set.

My observation on the front: Franco doesn't look right to me without his mustache. I've observed in his post-career appearances that he doesn't have a mustache anymore, so it's not as bizarre to me as when he was pitching for the Mets and I picked up a Reds card of his and there was no mustache.

More opinion from me: This is an '85 Topps rookie card that doesn't get much notice. It's all Clemens, McGwire, Puckett, Davis, Hershiser.

Something you might know: Franco pitched 21 years and finished with 454 saves, the second most at the time of his retirement and still the most for a left-hander.

Something you might not know: Franco's familiarity with mobsters may have helped lead to the downfall of a prominent Canadian politician. New York City newspapers in 2004 reported that Franco had supplied tickets to mobsters for Mets games in Montreal. The members of the Bonanno crime family reportedly received a tour of the Mets locker room then and were often invited to hang out with members of the team after games. What followed was an article in the New York Daily News revealing that Liberal Party politician Alfonso Gagliano was a member of the mafia and associated with the Bonanno family. A political scandal in Canada erupted and Gagliano was dismissed. He later filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government.

My observation on the back: During the mid-1980s, the Dodgers were known for consistently drawing the largest crowds per season. But they've since been exceeded by other teams that have been able to draw more than 4 million fans per year. The Dodgers have never done that.

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

#367 - Keefe Cato

What a card: This is the only Topps card of Keefe Cato. Considering Kato pitched in just eight games in 1984 (and 12 games overall), it's surprising he had even one.

My observation on the front: Cato looks happy to be on a baseball card. Can't say I blame him.

More opinion from me: When Kato Kaelin's name first came to the surface during all of the O.J. Simpson craziness in 1994, I thought it was Keefe Cato. That's how ingrained baseball cards are in my mind.

Something you might know: Cato is the first athlete from Fairfield University to play in a major professional sport. He was elected to the university's hall of fame in 1988.

Something you might not know: Cato's daughter, Britney, played softball for Winston-Salem State.

My observation on the back: Four straight years in Waterbury. Waterbury isn't far from Fairfield, Conn. I wonder if Cato was kept there because he was a "hometown player" (and the Reds apparently weren't high enough on him to move him quickly).

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

#342 - Ted Power

What a card: Ted Power pitched in a National League-leading 78 games in 1984, the most appearances he would make in a season during his 13-year career.

My observation on the front: I love this card almost to an obsessive degree. It is one of my absolute favorites in the set, possibly my most favorite. First, let's focus on the name. His name is Ted Power, possibly the greatest name for a pitcher in history. When I was a youngster and Power was coming up in the Dodgers' organization, I dearly wanted him to be a part of the L.A. rotation because a guy named "Ted Power" would never lose. But besides that, on this card, a guy named Ted Power is in his element on the mound. I love cards like this. And he is showing everyone the ball -- how very delightful and old-school. And with the fans in the background, there is a definite 3-D element here. Now, top it all off with the colors used with this card. I love the combination of red and gray (or silver if you so desire). It works extraordinarily well, especially with Power's uniform. Put that all together and that's why I enjoy this card so much and why I've written far more about it than any other card on this blog.

More opinion from me: The only thing that doesn't make this card perfect is it's miscut. I need to correct that.

Something you might know: Power was mostly a reliever during his career, but went 18-3 for the Albuquerque Dukes in 1981. He added a 19th win in an appearance with the Dodgers that year.

Something you might not know: Power was supposed to be in the boat with Steve Olin, Tim Crews and Bob Ojeda that crashed into a pier and killed Olin and Crews in 1993. Power changed his mind and didn't go.

My observation on the back: Of course a man named Ted Power struck out 19 in one game!

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

#323 - Andy McGaffigan

What a card: Andy McGaffigan played just nine games for the Reds in 1984, as he was traded from Montreal in late July 1984, necessitating this particular look.

My observation on the front: That is a fake-looking airbrush job. However, it is not as gloriously awful as the one on the card of the man for whom McGaffigan was traded.

More opinion from me: I have more 1984 Topps Andy McGaffigan cards than any non-Dodger player in my collection. It is how I keep McGaffigan alive in my memory.

Something you might know: An often-traded relief pitcher, McGaffigan is probably best known as the set-up man for closer Tim Burke for the Montreal Expos teams of the late 1980s. He's also known for faking out Shawon Dunston in this clip.

Something you might not know: McGaffigan hit just .048 for his career, getting six hits in 126 at-bats, one of the lowest averages for a pitcher ever.

My observation on the back: I've been noticing the marriage dates that are listed on the backs of some of these cards and that a few of them are in January. My first instinct is to think "January -- how odd for a wedding." But, of course, a ballplayer couldn't get married in June. Little busy.

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