#114T - Jim Sundberg

What a card: Jim Sundberg came to the Royals in the big four-team trade involving the Brewers, Mets, Royals and Rangers on Jan. 18, 1985. It was Sundberg's part of the deal (the Royals shipped catcher Don Slaught to the Rangers) that had an effect on the postseason that year.

How'd that go: According to plan. The Royals acquired Sundberg, known for years for his defensive ability, to handle a talented-but-young pitching staff. Sundberg played 115 games for the Royals in 1985 and K.C.'s pitching staff went all the way to the World Series and hurler Bret Saberhagen became a star. Sundberg added a few key postseason hits, too. His three-run triple in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Blue Jays was the big blow.

Backatya: It's often difficult to find confirmation of some of the baseball card info about hobbies. Sometimes I think the players make them up to goof on Topps.

Back-to-back: These cards are very much alike in color scheme both in design and uniform.

The flagship card is No. 446 in the set and was originally blogged on Aug. 28, 2015.

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

#109T - Lonnie Smith

What a card: Lonnie Smith arrived with his third major league team when the Cardinals traded him to K.C. on May 17, 1985 for outfielder John Morris.

How'd that go: How it always went for Lonnie. He joined a new team and suddenly that team found itself in the World Series. The Royals won a World Series in 1985 and it marked the third time that Smith had won a Series in his first full season with a team (Phillies in 1980 and Cardinals in 1982).

Backatya: When Lonnie Smith confessed to Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog that he had a drug problem and needed help, not only did many of his teammates say they were surprised Smith had an issue (at least those who weren't Keith Hernandez and Joaquin Andujar who Smith testified had partook in drugs with him during the '82 World Series), but so did his wife, Pearl. She said she never noticed Smith using drugs at home.

Back-to-back: On his Traded card, Smith looks like he was just thrown out on the bases and is walking back to the dugout.

Smith's flagship card is No. 255 in the set and was originally blogged on Jan. 23, 2014.

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

#69T - Mike LaCoss

What a card: Mike LaCoss signed with the Royals as a free agent on Feb. 19, 1985.

How'd that go: Lousy. LaCoss pitched just 40 innings for the Royals in 1985, posting an above-5 ERA, and he was released by K.C. after the season. He didn't even get into any of the Royals' postseason games in '85. Another free-agent try before the 1986 season worked better as he hooked on with the Giants for a few seasons.

Backatya: What sounds better, Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome or Target Field? I'm not a fan of either. But I don't suppose Minnesota's field can be called "Twins Park" as I wish.

Back-to-back: LaCoss offers quite an intense look on several of his cards. These are two of them. At least it seems a little warmer on his Traded card.

The flagship card is No. 666 and was originally blogged on June 2, 2017.

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

#773 - Hal McRae

What a card: Hal McRae's playing time decreased in 1984 as he made less than 400 plate appearances for the first time since his first year with the Royals in 1973.

My observation on the front: This is that weird period (between 1982-86) when McRae did not feature facial hair, except when he sported a mustache in '85. One of the first cards I ever pulled was McRae's mustachioed card in the 1975 set, and how can you forget that prominent beard in the '76 set? McRae should have facial hair, dammit.

More opinion from me: McRae knocked second basemen into shallow left field and I will never not like him for that.

Something you might know: One of the mainstays of the Royals' perennial postseason teams of the late 1970s/early 1980s, McRae was a doubles machine and finally received a World Series ring as a part-time player with K.C. in 1985.

Something you might not know: McRae became known to a later generation as a manager, first leading the Royals from 1991-94. But he turned down the Royals managing job in late 1987 after Billy Gardner was fired because McRae didn't think he'd get a fair shot of winning the full-time job for the 1988 season. The Royals went with John Wathan instead.

My observation on the back: McRae's son, Brian, became a major league outfielder for 10 years in the 1990s. McRae's other son, Cullen, was a producer in the adult film industry as of 2017.

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

#743 - Frank White

What a card: Frank White continued to click along in his 12th year with the Royals in 1984, hitting what was then a career-high of 17 home runs in 129 games. He was entering his power phase as he hit single-season HR totals of 17, 22, 22 and 17 starting in 1984, numbers he didn't approach any other time in his career.

My observation on the front: White seems like he regrets setting himself into motion here.

More opinion from me: One of my favorite All-Star cards of the All-Star card golden age (1975-81) is White's 1980 Topps card.

Something you might know: White spent all 18 seasons of his career with the Royals. He and George Brett appeared in 1,914 games together, a record for teammates until the Tigers' Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker broke it.

Something you might not know: White is the Jackson County (Missouri) Executive and has been involved in several political spats over the past year.

My observation on the back: The Ban Johnson baseball league is a 90-year-old league in Kansas City that features the top collegiate players in the area.

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

#711 - Dan Quisenberry All-Star

What a card: Dan Quisenberry led the league in saves for the third straight season in 1984 and finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting for the second straight year.

My observation on the front: This is from the same photo shoot as Quisenberry's base card, probably just a few camera clicks away.

More opinion from me: The advertising signs in the background scream 1980s spring training.

All-Star Game performance: Quisenberry was selected to the AL All-Star team for the 1984 game but didn't play, probably because the AL trailed for the entire game and a closer wasn't needed.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: Fake. Relievers are never All-Star starters.

My observation on the back: A year after setting the record for most saves in a season, Quisenberry finished one save short of that mark in 1984.

The blog wants to speak now: I'm not here to start no trouble, but the Pop Culture tab is updated.

#703 - George Brett All-Star

What a card: George Brett played in just 104 games in 1984, one of the few seasons in his career when he didn't finish among the league leaders in anything.

My observation on the front: We've lost the puffy clouds, but we're still in spring training!

More opinion from me: Topps sure did like showing Brett without his hat. Besides this card, there is also his 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1992 cards, and his '93 Stadium Club card.

All-Star performance: Brett went 1-for-3 in the 1984 All-Star Game, accounting for the American League's only run with a home run in the second inning that tied the game 1-1.

Legitimate All-Star Card or Fake All-Star Card: It's legit. Brett started at third base for the AL in '84.

My observation on the back: This always amused me. Brett is not mentioned anywhere in the batting average leaders (he hit .284 in 1984). I guess Topps went with the category that Brett appeared in often.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated (go to Nov. 29).

#697 - Onix Concepcion

What a card: Onix Concepcion was coming off what would be his most productive season in the majors when this card was issued. He batted .282 in 90 games in 1984. He received much more playing time in '85 but batted a mere .204.

My observation the front: Too many issues with this card. Printing flaws all over and the card is off-center and slightly miscut.

More opinion from me: I remember the first time I was aware of Onix Concepcion. It was during the 1980 World Series and Concepcion was inserted as a late-inning defensive replacement for the Royals against the Phillies. "Onix Concepcion?" I wondered. "Davey has a little brother?" Turns out they're not related.

Something you might know: Concepcion scored the game-tying run in the ninth inning of the famed Game 6 of the 1985 World Series. On base as a pinch-runner for Steve Balboni, who had singled after Jorge Orta reached on the blown call by umpire Don Denkinger, he knotted the game 1-1 on Dane Iorg's base hit, just before Jim Sundberg slid in for the second run to give the Royals the 2-1 victory.

Something you might not know: Concepcion hit the first pitch that the Royals saw in the 1984 season for a home run. It came against the Yankees' Ron Guidry on April 3 and led to a 4-2 KC victory.

My observation on the back: I don't really consider watching movies a hobby (or watching TV, for that matter). But I suppose there are people that don't think card collecting is much of a hobby.

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

#671 - Dane Iorg

What a card: Dane Iorg played in 78 games for the Royals in 1984 after being purchased from the Cardinals in May of that year. Iorg would come back and torment his old team in 1985.

My observation on the front: Iorg looks like he needs to wash his forehead.

More opinion from me: I feel proud that I grew up during a period when everyone knew how to pronounce Iorg's name.

Something you might know: Iorg drove in the winning run during the pivotal Game 6 of the 1985 World Series. After umpire Don Denkinger's controversial "safe" call on Jorge Orta in the ninth inning, the Royals load the bases while down 1-0 to the Cardinals. Iorg then delivered a two-run single to seal the game.

Something you might not know: Iorg and his brother, Garth, were the first brothers to play against each other in a League Championship Series when Dane's Royals faced Garth's Blue Jays in 1985.

My observation on the back: The Tigers' Placido Polanco now holds the record for consecutive chances without an error as a second baseman with a whopping 911 in comparison.

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

#644 - Mark Huismann

What a card: Mark Huismann appeared in 38 games in 1984, his rookie season. He also appeared in Game 1 of the Royals ALCS against the Tigers, which was an 8-1 loss for Kansas City.

My observation on the front: Anybody want a Coke?

More opinion from me: That scoreboard is charmingly quaint.

Something you might know: Huismann pitched mostly in relief for six teams, the Royals, Mariners, Indians, Tigers Orioles and Pirates for parts of nine seasons.

Something you might not know: Huismann nearly didn't make it to his major league debut. He was called up from Triple A Omaha and borrowed his parents' car to drive to Kansas City. But the car kept overheating and he had to pull over to the side of the road three times. He arrived at the park about a half hour before the game started. But he received the victory in relief against the Tigers.

My observation on the back: Huismann's birth site seems to be in dispute on his baseball cards. Topps and several minor league and oddball issues say he was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. But Donruss and Fleer say he was born in Littleton, Colorado.

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

#617 - Willie Wilson

What a card: Willie Wilson was coming off a suspension-shortened season when this card was issued. He was among the Royals suspended for the entire 1984 season by commissioner Bowie Kuhn for pleading guilty to attempting to purchase cocaine (and serving a jail sentence). The suspension was reduced, but Wilson didn't play until mid-May.

My observation on the front: Is that a red bat? I love red bats.

More opinion from me: Wilson was always a favorite. Even though he had already played parts of three seasons, including quite a bit of the 1978 season, I didn't discover him until he broke out in '79.

Something you might know: Wilson set the record for most at-bats in a single season when he recorded 705 in 1980. The record was broken by Jimmy Rollins' 716 at-bats in 2007.

Something you might not know: Among players with more than 400 career stolen bases, only Tim Raines (84.7%) owns a greater stolen base success rate than Wilson (83.3%).

My observation the back: Wilson deserved a card number with at least a "5" at the end. I wonder if Topps was punishing him for his suspension and jail time.

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

#595 - Larry Gura

What a card: Larry Gura won 12 games in 1984 for his seventh straight season of double-figure wins, but he allowed more than 5 runs a game and was released by the Royals in May 1985. This is the last card of his career.

My observation on the front: Photos take on different meaning when you know it's a player's last card. Gura seems to be posing for his final closeup.

More opinion from me: As someone who rooted vigorously for the Royals against the Yankees in the late '70s/early '80s, Gura's reputation as a Yankee killer was always comforting.

Something you might know: Gura is one of the winningest pitchers in Royals history, ranking fifth all-time in Kansas City history with 111 victories. He won Game 1 of the 1980 ALCS for the Royals against the Yankees.

Something you might not know: Gura once brought a pair of peacocks for his farm on the way back to Kansas City from a road series in Boston. Gura was attracted to the birds while golfing near a farm in Hamilton, Mass., which is north of Boston. He said he bought them for "the same reason someone might want to buy a painting. They're beautiful."

My observation on the back: Baseball was played as a demonstration sport in the 1968 Olympics. There apparently was a riot during the U.S.'s final game against Cuba, but information on the entire series is difficult to find.

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

#561 - Darryl Motley

What a card: This is Darryl Motley's first solo Topps card, despite having solo cards in Donruss and Fleer sets way back in 1982 (Motley was relegated to a three-player "future stars" card with Atlee Hammaker and Mike Jones in '82 Topps).

My observation on the front: Ghostly Expo in the background! The Royals are facing Montreal in an exhibition game.

More opinion from me: Motley holds a special place in my baseball heart for kicking off the rout of the Cardinals in Game 7 of the 1985 World Series.

Something you might know: Motley hit a two-run home run in the second-inning of Game 7 of the '85 World Series to give the Royals a 2-0 lead over starting pitcher John Tudor and the Cardinals. He also caught the final out of the game, clinching the Series for the Royals.

Something you might not know: Motley famously hit a long drive foul just before he hit his two-run homer. After the foul, Motley disgustedly slammed his bat on the turf, cracking the bat. Accounts say he used a different bat to hit the home run. And while that's true, Motley almost continued using the cracked bat. He liked the way the bat felt. But as he was settling back into the box, he heard teammate Hal McRae in his head saying, "never hit with a cracked bat." Motley called time and asked the bat boy to get a new bat.
 

My observation on the back: Motley's 1984 season was by far his best year. He was out of the majors by 1988 (but continued to play baseball until he was 42).

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

#542 - Don Slaught

What a card: This is Don Slaught's first card immediately after his first season as the starting catcher for the Royals. But it would be his last card with the Royals as he was traded to Texas in January 1985.

My observation on the front: If this doesn't make you wish that Topps still used posed shots at spring training in their flagship set then I don't know what will. Just fantastic.

More opinion from me: Love the yellow advertising banners with this card. And the trees!

Something you might know: A solid contact hitter who once set a Rangers record for most homers by a catcher in a season (16), Slaught became known as one-half of the catching platoon (with Mike LaValliere) for the early '90s Pirates. It was the Sluggo and Spanky Show.

Something you might not know: Slaught's .345 batting average in 1992 was the best average for a catcher with more than 250 at-bats (Slaught had 285) since Elston Howard hit .348 in 1961.

My observation on the back: I know the term "quarterback" is sometimes used in other sports to describe someone who directs the play, but I believe football is the only sport where "quarterback" is an actual position. So "football quarterback" is like saying "baseball shortstop."

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

#513 - Lynn Jones

What a card: Lynn Jones was coming off the only .300 season of his eight year career when this card was created. He batted .301 in 1984, his first with the Royals, far above his career .252 average.

My observation on the front: Jones didn't always wear those giant lenses on his baseball cards, but that's how I remember him.

More opinion from me: Jones should be featuring blue batting gloves. Everything else he's wearing is blue.

Something you might know: Jones was the Tigers' rookie of the year in 1979, but was mostly a defensive replacement by the time he reached the Royals. He did hit a double and a triple off of the Cardinals' John Tudor in two different games in the 1985 World Series.

Something you might not know: Jones, and brother Darryl Jones, who played briefly with the Yankees, each made their MLB debuts in 1979. You can find Darryl Jones on a Topps card only as a Yankees' Future Star in the 1980 set, sharing time with Bobby Brown and Brad Gulden.

My observation on the back: Mickey Mantle still holds the all-time runs scored mark for the World Series. No one who has played recently is even close (Derek Jeter has scored 32). Yogi Berra scored 41 runs.

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

#486 - Steve Balboni

What a card: Steve Balboni enjoyed a breakthrough season in 1984, playing in more than 100 games for the first time in his career and exceeding 20 home runs for the first of six straight seasons. His 1985 season would be even better.

My observation on the front: Balboni's got some arms on him, but that mustache.

More opinion from me: Balboni made a lot of noise in my neighborhood before he even arrived in the majors. As a Yankees prospect who won several MVP awards in the minors, the Yankee fans around me couldn't wait for him to reach the majors. As a Yankee hater, I relished his 1982/1983 seasons.

Something you might know: "Bye Bye" Balboni was known for his ability to hit home runs and strike out. In 1985, he finished third in homers (36) and first in strikeouts (166). The 36 homers remain the Royals' club record.

Something you might not know: Balboni's favorite player growing up was the Red Sox's Carl Yastrzemski.

My observation on the back: The trivia question is very '80s. There are just two artificial turf stadiums in the majors now -- Toronto and Tampa Bay.

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

#459 - Charlie Leibrandt

What a card: Charlie Leibrandt was entering what would be the best season of his 14-year career when this card was issued. After emerging as a top starter in his first year with the Royals in 1984, he'd go 17-9 for Kansas City in 1985.

My observation on the front: The photo on this card is similar to the one on Leibrandt's first Topps card.

More opinion from me: Leibrandt was a postseason regular with the Royals in the late '80s and the Braves in the early '90s. In other words, I rooted for him in the late '80s and against him the early '90s.

Something you might know: Leibrandt surrendered Kirby Puckett's famous home run for the Twins in the 11th inning of Game 6 of the 1991 World Series.. The home run forced a Game 7 that the Twins would win.

Something you might not know: Leibrandt's son, Brandon, pitched in 2015 mostly for the Phillies' high Class A team in Clearwater, Fla. He went 7-3 with a 3.11 ERA in 17 starts.

My observation on the back: Bobby Richardson still holds the record for most RBIs in a World Series game, but it's been tied twice in the last six years. Hideki Matsui drove in six runs in 2009 for the Yankees and the Cardinals' Albert Pujols knocked in six runs in 2011.

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

#431 - U.L. Washington

What a card: This is U.L. Washington's final Topps card with the Royals. He was traded to the Expos in January 1985, probably before many collectors even pulled this card.

My observation on the front: Washington never looks right without his afro. ... hah, you thought I was going to say "toothpick," didn't you?

More opinion from me: The periods after the letters in Washington's first name aren't necessary. U and L don't stand for anything.

Something you might know: Washington replaced Freddie Patek as the Royals' starting shortstop and was known for holding a toothpick in his mouth when he hit and fielded.

Something you might not know: If the Royals didn't have artificial turf, Washington would never have used a toothpick. Before coming to the Royals, he would put a blade of grass in his mouth.

My observation on the back: Trivia questions for novices.

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

#412 - Bud Black

What a card: Bud Black was coming off a 1984 season in which he won 17 games, the most he would win in any one season of his 15-year major league career. He also led the league in WHIP, and I'm sure no one in 1984 knew that he did that.

My observation on the front: It's interesting how the Royals sign is blocking the ball in Black's pitching hand. It's like it's disguising which pitch he's throwing.

More opinion from me: Black, of course, is now the manager for the Padres. He's the first person I think of when I think of pitchers who became major league managers. Yup, even before Tommy Lasorda.

Something you might know: Black is the second longest lasting manager in Padres history. Only Bruce Bochy, who immediately preceded Black, managed for more years.

Something you might not know: Black is only the second person to win 100 games as a pitcher and 600 games as a manager. The other is 19th century Hall of Famer Clark Griffith.

My observation on the back: Black's parents are Canadian. His father came to California because he was recruited to play hockey at USC. The Trojans had one of the best college hockey teams in the country back when Black's dad was playing for them.

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

#387 - Buddy Biancalana

What a card: This is Buddy Biancalana's rookie card (the second straight rookie card in the set). Topps lucked into something of a coup as it was the only one of the three card companies at the time to feature Biancalana in a set the same year he became a pop culture sensation and World Series hero.

My observation on the front: The Royals are in spring training action against the Expos. The gentleman on the left has got to be a coach. Galen Cisco was No. 36 for the Expos in 1984. I'm going with that.

More opinion from me: Biancalana looks like he just got the sign from the third base coach and has no idea what he's supposed to do.

Something you might know: Spurred on by a bit on Late Night With David Letterman in which Letterman started a Buddy Biancalana hit count to spoof Pete Rose's chasing of Ty Cobb's all-time hit record, Biancalana became a household name. A month later, he batted .278 against the Cardinals in the World Series and contributing to several rallies. He hit a mere .188 during the regular season.

Something you might not know: Biancalana, who hit six career home runs, says that in the minor leagues he hit three home runs in one week against the same pitcher, Tommy Shimp.

My observation on the back: Biancalana's given first name is "Roland".

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