#140 - Father/Son: Roy and Roy Smalley

What a card: Here is the second of the two cards in the Father/Son subset in which both father and son share the same name. The elder Roy Smalley is a Junior. The younger Roy Smalley is Smalley III.

My observation on the front: This is the third of the last four cards in which the son was a member of the White Sox. I didn't realize the 1984 White Sox had so many players on their team whose fathers also played in the majors.

More opinion from me: The inset photo on the Smalley card is actually a black-and-white sketch. It looks unfinished, like Topps forgot to include the color.

Something you might know: Former major league manager Gene Mauch was Roy Smalley Jr.'s brother-in-law and Smalley III's uncle.

Something you might not know: Smalley Jr. was the last Cubs starting shortstop before Ernie Banks took over.

My observation on the back: Smalley Jr. appeared on Topps cards only four years between 1951-57 because he was a Bowman card subject in the 1952, 1953 and 1955 sets.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames, Pop Culture and News categories are updated. Names from the past include Von Hayes, Tipper Gore and Karen Ann Quinlan.

#26 - Roy Smalley

What a card: Welcome to Roy Smalley's only Topps card as a member of the White Sox. It was not a fun year. He hit .170 in his only season in Chicago.

My observation on the front: Smalley kind of had a Ray Romano thing going in the face, which as a kid I found off-putting for some reason. I was always happy when Smalley's card featured him in an action shot. No close-up poses please.

More opinion from me: I have heard many people slam this particular White Sox logo, specifically citing the way the batter is holding the bat. It really is bizarre when you focus on it. Nobody holds the bat like that with any hope of hitting a fastball.

Something you might know: Smalley comes from a baseball family. His dad, Roy Jr. (he's Roy III), played 11 years for the Cubs, Braves and Phillies. His uncle, Gene Mauch, played for nine years in the majors but was more well-known as a manager for the Phillies, Expos, Twins and Angels.

Something you might not know: Smalley is a portfolio manager and wealth advisor for a major financial firm, as well as being a TV commentator for Twins broadcasts. He also has definite viewpoints on health care and global warming, and if you're left-leaning on those issues, you probably won't like his opinions.

My observation on the back: The type is too damn small, but Smalley's 1979 season made me a fan of his for life (except those few years he spent with the Yankees). In the late '70s, the Twins were something of a mystery team out there in the dark wilds of Minnesota. It was cool for someone besides Carew to have a break-out season.

The blog wants to speak now: I updated a few of the tabs on Sunday. News, Pop Culture, Movies. I even downloaded a picture of Kim Kardashian. No, I'm not proud of that. In fact, I think I need to wash my hands.