#119T - Walt Terrell

What a card: Walt Terrell arrived with the team that won the World Series two months prior in a trade that sent third baseman Howard Johnson from the Tigers to the Mets on Dec. 7, 1984.

How'd that go: Terrell would post double-figure wins for the Tigers for three straight years between 1985-87.

Backatya: You can see why the Mets called up Terrell from Tidewater in 1983 -- 10 wins in 12 starts.

Back-to-back: The color scheme is essentially reversed for Terrell's traded and flagship cards.

The flagship card is No. 287 in the set and was originally blogged on April 29, 2014.

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

#91T - Chris Pittaro

What a card: This is the 22nd rookie card to appear in the 1985 Topps Traded set. Chris Pittaro appeared in just 28 games for the Tigers in 1985, which quite frankly was enough to prevent Topps from making a card of a player for the flagship set.

My observation on the front: Standard infield shot that you don't see a lot on cards. Probably because it's not all that exciting.

More opinion from me: I look forward to the Tigers cards in this set because many of them are in old Tiger Stadium, which is just beautiful on cards. However, this appears to be a spring training shot.

Something you might know: Pittaro was an up-and-coming rookie in 1985 that Tigers manager Sparky Anderson championed as a future star second baseman. He very nearly forced Lou Whitaker out of his second base position until Whitaker balked and Pittaro went to third. He started on Opening Day and was batting .300 by the end of April but faded after that.

Something you might not know: Pittaro is a key figure in the book "Moneyball" as Billy Beane's right-hand man in scouting and drafting players. Pittaro and Beane were roommates when they played for the Twins.

My observation on the back: Interesting to see reference to a player continuing in college while he's on a baseball card and in a major league uniform.

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

#792 - Darrell Evans

What a card: Darrell Evans struggled during his first season in the American League in 1984 after 16 seasons in the National League. He'd more than make up for it in 1985 though.

My observation on the front: That's a rare appearance by a pencil on a card. I didn't know that was there until I scanned the card.

More opinion from me: This is the last card in the set, but don't fret. We're not done yet!

Something you might know: Evans hit 40 home runs in 1985 at age 38, becoming the oldest player to lead the AL in home runs.

Something you might not know: One of Evans' nicknames was "UFO" because he claimed to spot an unidentified flying object while with his wife in 1982.

My observation on the back: This is the fourth year of a 792-card set for Topps. I remember the first year Topps went to 726 cards in 1978. It seemed out of hand then. I can't remember my reaction to the first 792-card set in 1982.

The blog want to speak now: Now that the main set is done, we're moving on to the Traded set. I'm not going to do as much research for the Traded set. If the player is new to the set -- meaning he didn't appear in the flagship set -- then I will write it up as I did all the cards in the flagship set. But if the player did appear in the flagship set, too, the post will be something sweet and simple, with a comparison of the two cards, because Traded cards really blew my mind back in the early '80s.

#744 - Doug Bair

What a card: Doug Bair was coming off a season in which he was a key part of the World Series champion Tigers' relief corps. He appeared in 47 games for Detroit in 1984.

My observation on the front: It looks cold and dark there.

More opinion from me: Bair kind of gets cheated out of two more Topps cards. This is his last card in flagship, but he pitched quite a bit in 1986 and 1989 and didn't receive a card the next year from Topps. Fleer gave him one in '87 and Score in 1990.

Something you might know: Bair was one of those relievers who always landed in the postseason. He pitched in the 1979 NLCS with the Reds, the 1982 World Series with the Cardinals and the 1984 World Series with the Tigers.

Something you might not know: One of Bair's children, Heather Lea Bair, is a professional dancer who has performed on Broadway. She was born a few days before the 1982 World Series.

My observation on the back: Bair's save total in 1978 (28) was third-best in the majors that year. Only Rollie Fingers (37) and Kent Tekulve (31) had more.

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

#708 - Lance Parrish All-Star

Who is the man: Lance Parrish led the league in double plays turned by a catcher with 11 in 1984. He'd lead the league in that category two more times in his career.

My observation on the front: I still think this is spring training even though the sun seems to have disappeared.

More opinion from me: I just saw a picture of Lance Parrish as he is now. He looks old. Lance Parrish shouldn't look old.

All-Star performance: Parrish went 0-for-2 in the 1984 All-Star Game. He struck out twice, against Charlie Lea and Dwight Gooden.

Legitmate All-Star Card or Fake All-Star Card: It's legitimate. Parrish received his first All-Star start in 1984.

My observation on the back: I don't see many known heavyweights on that list of home run leaders. A lot of solid players not known for their slugging (Kingman excluded, of course).

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

#690 - Alan Trammell

What a card: Alan Trammell had reached another level in 1983 and 1984, batting .319 and .314, respectively. Still, it was a prelude to his monster 1987 season.

My observation on the front: This card seems to sum up Trammell: solid, unspectacular, quietly effective, and I really have nothing else to say about it.

More opinion from me: Still annoyed at Trammell for being a Diamondbacks coach when they had that fight with the Dodgers. I probably should let that go, but I'm still waiting for the Diamondbacks to be contracted first.

Something you might know: Part of the longest continuous double play combination in MLB history (with Lou Whitaker), Trammell is one of the players often cited for Hall of Fame enshrinement. He was the MVP of the 1984 World Series.

Something you might not know: When Trammell was a kid growing up in San Diego, he attended Padres games. Once, when the Padres were playing the Pirates, he and a friend got Pirates coach and Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski to play catch with them on the field.

My observation on the back: John Denny's win was in Game 1 of the World Series, a 2-1 victory for the Phillies.

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

#672 - Juan Berenguer

What a card: Juan Berenguer was coming off his most successful major league season to date when this card was issued. After roaming from team to team with little success, he started 27 games and won 11 in 1984. But he never made an appearance in the Tigers' postseason.

My observation on the front: There appears to be a gathering of fans in the Tiger Stadium outfield stands, straining to see Berenguer's photo session.

More opinion from me: One of Berenguer's nicknames was "Señor Smoke," which was also Tigers pitching teammate Aurelio Lopez's nickname. I'm assuming Berenguer wasn't called that until after he left the Tigers. You can't have two Señor Smokes on the same team.

Something you might know: Berenguer became an effective relief pitcher for the Twins during the late 1980s, making his biggest impact during the Twins' ALCS victory over the Tigers in 1987.

Something you might not know: If you're a Twins fan, you know this, but as for the rest of you, Juan Berenguer starred in a music video called the "Berenguer Boogie," which riffed off his appearance in a trenchcoat when he arrived back in the Metrodome after the Twins' 1987 World Series win. The video is long (I linked to a shorter version on the making of the video) and very 1987, but 1987 ruled so I don't want to hear anything bad about it.

My observation on the back: Once again, some interesting abbreviations of the hometown in the vital info.

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

#643 - Johnny Grubb

What a card: Johnny Grubb had completed his second season as the Tigers' sometimes-outfielder, sometimes-DH when this card was issued.

My observation on the front: Another card with "snow" on the front.

More opinion from me: Grubb wore glasses that made him look rather nerdy on his baseball cards throughout his career. But he could hit.

Something you might know: Grubb finished sixth the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1973 when he broke in with the Padres.

Something you might not know: Grubb coached high school ball at his alma mater in Richmond, Va., for a period after his career. One of his players was former Padres and Orioles reliever Cla Meredith.

My observation on the back: He collects baseball cards!

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

#610 - Jack Morris

What a card: Jack Morris was on top of the world when this card was issued. He pitched two complete-game victories in the 1984 World Series as the Tigers won the title and started the year off with a no-hitter against the White Sox on the first weekend of the season.

My observation on the front: Another pleasing shot in old Tiger Stadium.

More opinion from me: As someone who has made a living as a reporter, Morris was never a favorite of mine. His rude quote to a female reporter who tried to interview him in 1990 sealed the deal.

Something you might know: Morris played on four World Series championship teams, the 1984 Tigers, 1991 Twins and 1992 and 1993 Blue Jays. His 10-inning victory in Game 7 of the '91 World Series is one of the most famous pitching performances in Series history.

Something you might not know: Morris nearly pitched for the Yankees when they were on the brink of winning four World Series in five years. They had an agreement in place in July of 1996, but the Yankees wanted Morris to start in the minors and Morris refused. Talks broke down after that.

My observation on the back: Those 20 complete games in 1983 look crazy in light of today's complete-game totals. But Morris didn't even lead the league in the category that year. Ron Guidry completed 21 games in '83.

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

#591 - Larry Herndon

What a card: Larry Herndon fell off from his career-best period of 1982 and 1983 by struggling at the start of 1984 and appearing in just 125 games. His postseason, though, would make up for it.

My observation on the front: Herndon appears to be waiting his turn on-deck.

More opinion from me: As a fan of the baseball bat donut, I've never known the name for this kind of batting weight. I'm guessing it's the precursor to the "batting wrap," but I don't know if that's what it was called then.

Something you might know: Herndon hit a two-run home run in Game 1 of the 1984 World Series, eliminating a Padres' 2-1 lead and giving Jack Morris the advantage he needed to put away San Diego. Herndon also caught the last out of the World Series on a fly ball from Tony Gwynn.

Something you might know: Herndon was a minor league roommate of Cardinals prospect Randy Poffo, who went on to become popular 1980s wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage.

 My observation on the back: "Sunflower" is one of those great town names in Mississippi (it's not far from "Money," "Rising Sun," and "Longshot"). But Herndon grew up mostly in Memphis, Tenn.

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

#586 - Bill Scherrer

What a card: This is Bill Scherrer's first card with the Tigers after being acquired by Detroit from Cincinnati in a late August deal in 1984.

My observation on the front: He doesn't fool me. I don't think he's really looking in for the sign if he's wearing his warm-up jacket.

More opinion from me: Scherrer is a spindly sort. It's not as apparent on this card as some of his others.

Something you might know: Scherrer pitched in three games for the Tigers during the 1984 World Series. In the final Game 5, after the Padres scored two runs in the fourth inning to tie the game 3-3, Scherrer came in with a runner on second base and two outs and retired Tony Gwynn on a fly ball. The Tigers would go on to win 8-4.

Something you might not know: Scherrer was the last pitcher Johnny Bench caught during his career.

My observation on the back: I remember discovering that Scherrer was from Tonawanda, N.Y., which is a suburb of Buffalo. Tonawanda was in the coverage area of the newspaper I used to work at, and as a young sportswriter who was very interested in baseball, I had my eye out for a chance to work Scherrer into a story. But it never happened.

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

#565 - Kirk Gibson

What a card: Kirk Gibson was coming off his breakout year in the majors when this card was issued. Always considered a future star, it took Gibson five years to crack 100 hits in a season. In 1984, he did that, hit 27 home runs, won the MVP of the ALCS, and helped the Tigers win the World Series.

My observation on the front: Nice card. But the image is nearly identical to his 1984 Topps card.

More opinion from me: If it wasn't for Gibson, I'd be in year 35 of waiting for my favorite team to win a World Series. It's bad enough that it's been 28 years.

Something you might know: Gibson clinched the World Series title for the Tigers, blasting a three-run home run off of the Padres' Goose Gossage in the eighth inning of  the decisive Game 5 of the '84 Series. It was his second home run of the game.

Something you might not know: Gibson and his good friend, Tigers pitcher Dave Rozema, married sisters -- JoAnn and Sandy Sklarski, respectively -- in a joint ceremony in 1985. They're all still married.

My observation on the back: Another Baseball 101 trivia question.

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

#539 - Aurelio Lopez

What a card: Aurelio Lopez was coming off his most famous season as a major leaguer when this card was issued. The 11-year MLB veteran was the Tigers' set-up man for closer Willie Hernandez en route to the World Series title.

My observation on the front: I've said this multiple times, but I love the photos of Tiger Stadium in this set.

More opinion from me: I remember Senor Smoke as being much rounder. Must be some trick photography here.

Something you might know: Well, you've got to know that trivia question. There are three major league players with the first name Aurelio (Lopez, Rodriguez and Monteagudo). What else do they have in common? They all died in automobile accidents.

Something you might not know: Lopez was the first player in major league history to receive a salary cut in arbitration. Lopez earned $285,000 in 1982 and asked for $315,000. He received $250,000.

My observation on the back: Three of the Pirates' five starters in 1984 had ERAs under 3 (John Candelaria, Rick Rhoden and Larry McWilliams). Three relievers also recorded ERAs between 2 and 3 (Rod Scurry, Cecilio Guante and Kent Tekulve). But the Pirates finished dead last in the NL East.

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

#512 - Tom Brookens

What a card: Tom Brookens was coming off a season as the main utilityman for the 1984 World Champion Tigers when this card was issued. Manager Sparky Anderson wanted hitting at every position and Howard Johnson hit better than Brookens at third.

My observation on the front: Did Brookens knock one out in this photo? He had just five homers in 1984.

More opinion from me: Every time I hear about Brookens now I remember a young sportswriter telling me how Brookens gave him a hard time when Brookens was managing in the New York-Penn League. I liked the sportswriter, he's a likeable guy. So, I'm not too pleased with Brookens.

Something you might know: Brookens played in two postseasons for the Tigers (1984 and 1987), but didn't get a single hit in any of the games. He went 0-for-18 in 10 games.

Something you might not know: Brookens has an identical twin, Tim, who also played in the Tigers organization.

My observation on the back: Since Wilson's 1982 batting title, A.L. switch-hitters Bernie Williams (1998) and Bill Mueller (2003) were batting champions.

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

#480 - Lou Whitaker

What a card: This is Lou Whitaker's card on the heels of being the featured second baseman for the 1984 World Series champion Tigers.

My observation on the front: There aren't too many photos in the '85 set in which the subject is photographed from this far away. I believe Whitaker is retiring a Red Sox player.

More opinion from me: Lou Whitaker's 1984 season was not as striking as his 1983 season, but he did win a World Series title in '84, so it probably didn't bother him that much.

Something you might know: The 1978 American League Rookie of the Year was part of the longest-running double play combination in history, along with shortstop Alan Trammell.

Something you might not know: Whitaker missed the rest of the 1988 season after tearing cartilage in his right knee while dancing with his wife at an anniversary party early in September.

My observation on the back: The trivia question answer still applies.

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

#461 - Marty Castillo

What a card: Marty Castillo was coming off his finest season when this card was issued. He appeared in a career-high 70 games in 1984 and enjoyed his greatest success during the Tigers' successful postseason run to the World Series title.

My observation on the front: Castillo looks reflective and so does the fan with the Tigers cap to the left of Castillo.

More opinion from me: Those dugout overhangs need some padding. They look dangerous.

Something you might know: Castillo delivered some key hits for the Tigers in the ALCS and the World Series. He knocked in the only run in the Tigers' 1-0 victory in the series-clinching Game 3 of the ALCS. In Game 3 of the World Series against the Padres, he hit a two-run home run in the second inning that sparked a four-run inning in the Tigers' 5-2 victory.

Something you might not know: When Castillo was 4 years old, he accidentally burned his family's house down.

My observation on the back: Graig Nettles' inside-the-park home run came in Game 2 of the 1980 ALCS against the Royals. He hit it in the fifth inning against Dennis Leonard, driving in two runs. But K.C. already had three runs by then and won the game 3-2.

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

#435 - Dan Petry

What a card: Dan Petry was attempting to build off a stellar 1984 season, in which he finished fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting, when this card was issued.

My observation on the front: Petry's gut looks twice the size of his legs in this photo. I've never liked those unflattering pitcher pictures.

More opinion from me: It's a little freakish how all of the Tigers' starters looked so similar in 1984 ... OK, Juan Berenguer didn't look the same.

Something you might know: Petry won 19 games for the Tigers in 1983 and 18 in 1984, but he took Detroit's only loss in the 1984 World Series.

Something you might not know: Petry grew up in California, but he was a fan of the Tigers as a boy. He was then drafted by Detroit in 1976.

My observation on the back: One of the sons of Dan and Christine is Jeff Petry, a six-year NHL veteran defenseman who played for Montreal last season.

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

#408 - Sid Monge

What a card: This is the final card of Sid Monge issued during his career. He spent the 1985 season in the minors and that was it.

My observation on the front: Monge's hat is a tad askew.

More opinion from me: Monge was purchased by the Tigers from the Padres in mid-June of 1984, meaning Topps had just three months to get a picture of Monge in a Tigers uniform. Also, Monge's new team, the Tigers, ended up facing the team he started '84 with, the Padres, in the World Series. But it's a bummer that Monge did not pitch in the Series against his old team.

Something you might know: Monge was a career reliever for 10 seasons and enjoyed his best year in 1979 with the Indians when he appeared in 76 games, saved 19 and went to the All-Star Game.

Something you might not know: Monge gave up Tony Gwynn's first big-league hit. It was an eighth-inning double on July 19, 1982 when the Padres were playing Monge's Phillies.

My observation on the back: The bio is boring me so I'll just say "full career major league stats on the back!"

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

#368 - Dave Bergman

What a card: Dave Bergman was coming off his first season with the Tigers when this card arrived in packs. He appeared in what was then a career-high 120 games for Detroit. He would spend the next nine years with the Tigers, finishing out his career with them.

My observation on the front: A batting cage AND old Tiger Stadium? That's almost too much of a good thing.

More opinion from me: I'm sure I'm exaggerating a little but Alan Trammell had to be the only player on the 1984 World Series champion Tigers without a mustache.

Something you might know: A player who embraced his role as a utility man, Bergman was one of the more renowned platoon players of the mid-1980s.

Something you might not know: When the Yankees acquired Cliff Johnson from the Astros in a trade in June 1977, one of the players sent to Houston was Bergman. But the Yankees thought Johnson was damaged goods and tried to get the trade nullified. Bergman  was in limbo and it had to be determined if he played the rest of '77 in the minors in Charleston, W.Va. for Houston or in Syracuse, N.Y., for New York. Bergman ended up finishing the season in Syracuse. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn in the offseason denied the Yankees' contention, approved the trade, and Bergman was an Astro for 1978 as the player to be named later.

My observation on the back: Bergman was the second Illinois State Redbird to make the major leagues. The first was Braves pitcher Buzz Capra.

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

#333 - Willie Hernandez

What a card: This was Willie Hernandez's first Topps card after winning the Cy Young Award in 1984. He was the third relief pitcher (after Jim Konstanty and Rollie Fingers) to win the award as a relief pitcher.

My observation on the front: One of my favorite cards in the whole set. Hernandez seems to be in his element on the mound there at Tiger Stadium.

More opinion from me: When Hernandez demanded that he be referred to as Guillermo, instead of the Anglicized "Willie," in 1988, he seemed to split himself into two different pitchers in my head. It's weird how a simple change in the way a name is said will alter your whole perception.

Something you might know: Hernandez rocketed into the public consciousness in 1984 when he was acquired from the Phillies, along with Dave Bergman, for Glenn Wilson and Johnny Wockenfuss. He saved a then-record 32 straight games for the Tigers and compiled a 1.92 ERA. He retired Tony Gywnn on a fly ball to clinch the World Series for Detroit.

Something you might not know: Before Deion Sanders doused Tim McCarver, Hernandez gave writer Mitch Albom an ice bucket shower in 1988. Hernandez had blamed Albom for turning Tigers fans against him in the years following his Cy Young season.

 My observation on the back: Well, OK, I guess back in the mid-1980s, San Diego did have a major league team.

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