#112T - Mike Stenhouse

What a card: Mike Stenhouse came to the Twins in a Jan. 9, 1985 trade in which he went to Minnesota in exchange for pitcher Jack O'Connor, who went to Montreal. This is Stenhouse's third card between Topps' main set and the Update set.

How'd that go: Stenhouse achieved a slightly more productive season for Minnesota in '85 than with Montreal in '84, but it was essentially the same low output (.223 average in 81 games) and he'd never receive that much playing time the rest of his MLB career.

Backatya: I made a comment on the post of Stenhouse's flagship card that it was nice when the trivia question on the back matched up with the team shown on the front. That obviously isn't the case anymore as Stenhouse switched from the Expos to the Twins but the trivia question remained Montreal-specific.

Back-to-back: Stenhouse added the "DH" position by virtue of traveling to an American League team. He also added a really BRIGHT red cap.

The flagship card is No. 658 and was originally blogged on May 11, 2017.

The blog want to speak now: Nope. March is almost over but it isn't done trying to kill me. Today was very taxing. Hitting the nest early.

#108T - Roy Smalley

What a card: Roy Smalley returned home to the Twins in a February 1985 trade in which the White Sox received minor leaguer Rob Scheer and Randy Johnson (Not that Randy Johnson, this Randy Johnson).

How'd that go: Coming back to where he spent 10 years of his playing career worked well for Smalley. He shed that terrible 1984 season and delivered three decent years for the Twins from 1985-87.

Backatya: I wonder if Smalley heard any stories from Uncle Gene about how mean Philadelphia fans are.

Back-to-back: Don't you miss 1980s logos more than anything?

I see that the Twins decided that playing three positions in a season might be a little much. The flagship card is No. 26 and was originally blogged on March 13, 2012.

The blog wants to speak now: Not tonight. It's later than I usually write these things these days and I've got to get some shut-eye.

#101T - Mark Salas

What a card: This is the 25th rookie card -- or "pre-rookie card" -- to appear in the Topps Update set. Mark Salas finished eighth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting after producing the best season of his eight-year major league career in 1985.

My observation on the front: I associate Salas with being a veteran catcher and that's what he looks like to me here. He doesn't look like a rookie.

More opinion from me: The red Twins helmets and caps -- always a good look.

Something you might know: Mark Salas is one of those major league players whose last name is a palindrome. Of the 10 players wikipedia lists as having palindromes for a last name, four of them are named "Salas."

Something you might not know: Salas hit a home run for the Twins after being traded to the Yankees. The home run tied the game in the ninth and sent the Twins and Rangers into extra innings. Minnesota won the game in 13 innings. During the game, the Twins and Yankees worked out a deal to send Salas to New York for pitcher Joe Niekro. In the 12th inning, Salas learned of the trade from home plate umpire Durwood Merrill.

My observation on the back: The Garv is still the NL record-holder for consecutive games played and still in fourth place overall. He could be there for some time. Only Miguel Tejada has come close to the big four (Ripken Jr.-Gehrig-Everett Scott-Garvey) in recent times.

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

#36T - Greg Gagne

What a card: This is the 10th rookie card in the Traded set. Greg Gagne would bat a mere .225 in 114 games his rookie year in 1985.

My observation on the front: What a wonderful scene on this card! What bright colors! It's spring training at its best.

More opinion from me: Some of the Traded cards in this set are cut like the O-Pee-Chee cards from this time period. The bottom edge of this card is rough, although you can't tell by the way I've cropped it.

Something you might know: Gagne played 10 seasons for the Twins at shortstop. He was a regular on Minnesota's title teams in 1987 and 1991.

Something you might not know: Gagne is the most recent player to hit two inside-the-park home runs in one game, which happened on Oct. 4, 1986. It's happened just two other times in the last 70 years.

My observation on the back: Reggie Jackson had the last laugh by the time his career was over. He finished with 11 grand slams to Yogi's nine.

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

#767 - Darrell Brown

What a card: This is Darrell Brown's second and final Topps card. After toiling in the minors with the Tigers and A's for years, he finally received playing time with the Twins in 1983 and 1984. But he was released in March 1985.

My observation on the front: Love those black bats.

More opinion from me: This is one of the few players in the 1985 set that is a relative unknown for me. I don't remember seeing him play or having his cards.

Something you might know: Brown was known for his speed, fielding ability and strong arm. He lacked power though and his hitting couldn't match his other talents.

Something you might not know: Brown helped lead Cal State-Los Angeles to the College World Series in 1977 where the Golden Eagles finished fourth in the nation. Brown still holds the college's record for at-bats in a season with 241 and is a member of the school's Hall of Fame.

My observation on the back: The stadium trivia questions continue. At least this one is not quite as obvious as the previous one.

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

#741 - John Butcher

What a card: John Butcher completed his first season with the Twins in 1984. He was a full-time starter for the first time in his career and set career bests in innings pitched, victories and earned-run average.

My observation on the front: One of the more interesting cards in the set. Butcher's facial expression seems to indicate he's signing some official document, but he's actually signing autographs.

More opinion from me: I am dying to know what baseball card is being offered by the person above Butcher.

Something you might know: Butcher came to the Twins along with fellow pitcher Mike Smithson for former Twins all-star outfielder Gary Ward.

Something you might not know: Butcher received his first major league start when he was inserted as a replacement for the suspended Ferguson Jenkins for the Rangers' game against the A's on Sept. 9, 1980. Jenkins had been arrested on drug possession charges on Aug. 25 in Toronto and was later suspended by commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Butcher pitched a complete-game six-hitter as the Rangers beat the A's, 6-2.

My observation on the back: Other major leaguers to attend Yavapai College include Curt Schilling, Chad Curtis, Kole Calhoun, Billy Hatcher and Ken Giles.

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

#710 - Frank Viola All-Star

What a card: Frank Viola won 18 games for the Twins in 1984, his first season with double-figure victories.

My observation on the front: It's difficult to look around the 6-4 Viola to see if there are signs of a spring training site, but I'm going to assume he's in sunny Florida.

More opinion from me: It'd be more interesting if Viola's last name was pronounced like the musical string instrument. It didn't prevent people from calling him "Sweet Music" though.

All-Star Game performance: Dude wasn't even selected to play in the All-Star Game in 1984.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: DUDE WASN'T EVEN SELECTED TO PLAY IN THE ALL-STAR GAME. Topps really should have explained itself here.

My observation on the back: That "twelve players tied with 2" looks comical in today's pitching environment. There were 14 total shutouts in the American League in 2017.

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

#692 - Randy Bush

What a card: Randy Bush continued to be a regular platoon player in right and left field and the Twins' main pinch-hitter in 1984. He tied for the American League pinch-hitting lead by going 8-for-20 (.400).

My observation on the front: That looks like a very pleasant spring training day.

More opinion from me: The Twins' red hats are 😍.

Something you might know: Bush is one of seven players to appear on both World Championship Twins teams in 1987 and 1991.

Something you might not know: Bush once hit a home run that traveled more than 200 miles. While playing in the minor leagues for Toledo during a road game against Charleston in 1982, Bush blasted a shot over the right field wall that landed on moving coal train. The train traveled 200 more miles with the ball until coming to a rest.

My observation on the back: I miss watching televised games from County Stadium.

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

#667 - Dave Engle

What a card: Dave Engle was coming off the only All-Star selection of his career when this card was issued. He was the Twins' lone representative for the game but didn't play (the Twins had just one All-Star representative each year from 1978-87).

My observation on the front: I've mentioned this before but the position designation is so awkward in 1985 Topps. If you didn't know Engle's name, you'd think Topps left out the "C" in his name and was trying to squeeze it in.

More opinion from me: I've always liked Engle's 1984 Topps card.

Something you might know: Engle hit the first home run in Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome history, on April 6, 1982. It came off the Mariners' Floyd Bannister in the first inning.

Something you might not know: Engle beat out Wade Boggs for the 1980 International League batting title by a single thousandth of a percentage point, .307 to .306.

My observation on the back: Roy Engle was also the catcher for Ted Williams when the two were in high school in San Diego. They became lifelong friends.

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

#639 - Ed Hodge

What a card: This is Ed Hodge's only Topps card. (Fleer honored him with two cards, while Donruss ignored him).

My observation on the front: That scene behind Hodge -- I miss summer so much. Maybe it's the two feet of snow that fell yesterday.

More opinion from me: For crying out loud, are there PICNICS going on in the background?

Something you might know: After five-plus seasons in the minors, Hodge pitched his only season in the majors in 1984, appearing in 25 games for the Twins, starting 15 of them.

Something you might not know: Hodge became a police officer after his playing career and worked as a cop for eight years in Johnson City, Tenn. He says he once was almost blown up in a fire during his police career.

My observation on the back: OK, this is it: card No. 639, that's the point when the trivia quiz writer ran out of questions.

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

#614 - Al Williams

What a card: This is the final Topps card of Al Williams issued during his career. He was actually released by the Twins after the 1984 season, meaning his MLB career was already done when collectors were pulling this card.

My observation on the front: Classic glare. A little "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis?" mixed with "what did you just say?"

More opinion from me: I really want Williams to be sitting in the stands. I don't think he is, but it looks like he is.

Something you might know: Williams won 35 games for the Twins between 1980-84, but he's most known for fighting with the Sandinista rebels against the Somoza regime during the Nicaragua Revolution from 1977-78.

Something you might not know: When Williams was a teenager, an earthquake destroyed half of his house while he was sleeping in it.

My observation on the back: Those very same facts (Al is third Nicaraguan to play MLB and the other two are Martinez and Chevez) are mentioned on the back of his rookie card in 1981 Topps, except in cartoon form. But Topps never told you he was a freedom fighter. I had to find that out from Donruss and Fleer.

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

#588 - Bobby Castillo

What a card: Bobby Castillo had re-signed with the Dodgers as a free agent by the time this card arrived in packs. He appeared in just 10 games for the Twins in 1984.

My observation on the front: Castillo is displaying his famed thick mustache.

More opinion from me: Castillo first appeared on his own Topps card with the Dodgers in the 1979 set. I remember being annoyed when he didn't get a card in the 1980 set despite appearing in 19 games the previous year.

Something you might know: Castillo gained immortality when he taught teammate Fernando Valenzuela how to throw a screwball.

Something you might not know: Castillo injured his leg during spring training in 1979 when he drove his car into a bridge railing at 5 in the morning.

My observation on the back: I am assuming from this question that it is asking who has the highest average among just the three players mentioned. The Cardinals' Pepper Martin hit .418 over three World Series. Paul Molitor has since equaled Martin's average.

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

#577 - Chris Speier

What a card: Chris Speier spent all of 12 games with the Twins in 1984 after being traded from the Cardinals in August. He was with the Cardinals for only just over a month after they acquired him from the Expos.

My observation on the front: The airbrushing is appropriate given that the player he was traded for in the Expos-Cardinals deal also was airbrushed. It makes me assume that even if Speier stayed with the Cardinals, he'd still be airbrushed (only as a Cardinal). It also makes me wonder whether Topps had Speier airbrushed as a Cardinal and then had to paint him into a Twins uniform and helmet.

More opinion from me: I've said this before, but the background and airbrushing makes it appear as if Speier stuck his head into a large mural of scenery with a hole cut out in it.

Something you might know: Speier, the No. 2 pick in the amateur draft in 1970, was the Giants' starting shortstop in the early 1970s and enjoyed a rejuvenated career in his second stint with the Giants in the late '80s. His MLB career spanned 19 years.

Something you might not know: Speier's son, Justin, pitched in the major leagues from 1998-2009 with several teams. He was 10 when his father was traded from the Expos to the Cardinals. Chris Speier was having a difficult time in Montreal under manager Bill Virdon at the time. Justin's comment on his father being traded and the family moving was: "I'm going to miss all my friends, the house and school. I'm not going to miss Bill Virdon."

My observation on the back: Erika sang the Canadian National Anthem when she was 7 years old.

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

#562 - Houston Jimenez

What a card: This is the second of two appearances on Topps cards for Houston Jimenez. This is his final Topps card.

My observation on the front: Check out that sweet choking-up action.

More opinion from me: I typed "Hector Jimenez" about eight times while searching for info on Houston Jimenez. I'm relieved to see that Hector Jimenez is both a pro soccer player and an actor in the movie "Nacho Libre". Glad I got it from somewhere.

Something you might know: During his brief time in the majors, Jimenez was known as the shortest player in the major leagues at 5-foot-7.

Something you might not know: Jimenez once said in an interview that when he was a young teenager in Mexico, he held all the league's records for home runs and runs batted in. But when he turned 16, he stopped growing and his fly balls didn't travel as far as teammates' drives anymore.

 My observation on the back: I could find no references to an Arturo Jimenez or Javier Jimenez playing in American pro baseball. Perhaps it was in Mexico.

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

#536 - Kirby Puckett

What a card: We've reached another one of the big rookie cards in the 1985 Topps set (I think there's just two left, although I could be mistaken). This is Kirby Puckett's initial Topps card, although he appeared first in the 1984 Fleer Update set.

My observation on the front: Puckett does look like a little guy in this picture. And ... thinner.

More opinion from me: This is terrible of me to say, but I will always associate Puckett with my fantasy team woes. I could never nab the best players during my fantasy days, particularly when it came to hitters. But in 1996, I finally landed a big one in Puckett. Then he came down with glaucoma in spring training and never played again. That is my fantasy baseball luck right there.

Something you might know: Puckett was the star of two Twins World Series titles in 1987 and 1991.

Something you might not know: Puckett was discovered during the players' strike in 1981. Most major league teams employees weren't needed during that time. So Twins' assistant farm director Jim Rantz decided to visit his son, who was playing for a collegiate league in Illinois. One day, his son's team, Peoria, played Quincy and Puckett played for Quincy. Puckett was so impressive in that game that Rantz notified the Twins. The following year, Minnesota drafted Puckett with its top pick.

My observation on the back: Puckett follows Pat Putnam in the set and they're both featured as Twins. Players with the same team rarely appeared back-to-back in a Topps set at this time. Only a last-minute trade or acquisition, such as in Putnam's case, would lead to teammates appearing back-to-back.

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

#535 - Pat Putnam

What a card: Pat Putnam split his 1984 season between the Mariners and the Twins. He was dealt to Minnesota at the end of August as the Twins tried to catch the Royals in the AL West.

My observation on the front: It's been a long time since our last airbrushed card, more than 200 cards have passed! If you can get past the vast acreage of jersey without any lettering, take a look at the fakish shading on the cap.

More opinion from me: This is the last card of Putnam issued during his playing career, unfortunately. Fleer, however, managed to get Putnam in an actual Twins uniform.

Something you might know: Putnam started his career with promise, belting 18 home runs in his rookie season with Texas in 1979 and finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting.

Something you might not know: Putnam's fondness for dog biscuits was kind of well-known, but I found it interesting that he once played an exhibition game with a dead frog in his pocket.

My observation on the back: This is probably the most mystifying player choice for a card number ending in "5" in the entire set. At the time, card numbers ending in "5" were reserved for minor stars. Putnam never previously received a "hero number" of "5" or "0" from Topps, and after batting a combined .176 in his final season, this was an odd time to award it.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated. We have a World Series champion.

#510 - Kent Hrbek

What a card: Kent Hrbek improved on his exceptional rookie season in 1982 with an even more impressive 1984, knocking in over 100 runs for the only time in his career, and finishing second to Tigers reliever Willie Hernandez in the AL MVP voting.

My observation on the front: Hrbek looks positively svelte in this photo.

More opinion from me: You cannot argue with the Twins' red helmet and baby blue uniform combination. You just can't.

Something you might know: Hrbek was the first baseman for two World Series champions, played for the Twins his entire career, and had his number 14 retired by Minnesota.

Something you might not know: Even though Hrbek is a Minnesota native, the Twins didn't know about Hrbek, playing high school at the time in Bloomington, until finding out about him from one of the Twins' concession stand employees, who saw Hrbek play against his son.

My observation the back: The Astros' Brad Lidge now holds the NL relief pitcher mark for strikeouts in a season with 157, set in 2004.

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

#483 - Mike Smithson

What a card: When this card hit packs, Mike Smithson was coming off a 1984 season in which he led the American League in starts with 36. He also led the league in home runs allowed with 35.

My observation on the front: There are certain cards where you can tell the player is tall just by looking at the photo. Smithson looks like an absolute giant.

More opinion from me: I don't think pit stains were part of the bargain in becoming a baseball card collector.

Something you might know: After coming over from the Rangers in the deal that sent outfielder Gary Ward to Texas, Smithson was the Twins' No. 2 starter behind Frank Viola in 1984 and 1985.

Something you might not know: Smithson is the athletic director at Hickman County High School in his native Centerville, Tenn.

My observation on the back: Yup, the photo on the front didn't lie. He's 6-8.

The blog wants to speak now: Really tired after a 12-hour day full of new work stuff. I'll sit this one out.

#452 - John Castino

What a card: This is the final card of John Castino issued during his career. In fact his career was already over when this card was pulled out of packs. His last game was on May 7, 1984. He was forced to retire at age 29 because of continued back trouble.

My observation on the front: I really like the blue Twins jerseys and the red helmets. Those need to come back.

More opinion from me: I have no idea why Castino has a card in this set. He played in eight games in '84. No other trading card company issued a card of him.

Something you might know: Castino was the co-AL Rookie of the Year in 1979, sharing the award with the Blue Jays' Alfredo Griffin.

Something you might not know: Castino played a part in the demise of Tigers pitcher Dave Rozema. During a wild brawl in 1982, Rozema dashed out onto the field and tried to deliver a flying kung-fu kick to Castino. But Rozema missed, tore ligaments in his knee and missed the rest of the season.

My observation on the back: Julio Franco now holds the record for oldest position player in a league championship series. He was 48 when he played for the Mets in the 2006 NLCS.

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

#430 - Ron Davis

What a card: Ron Davis had completed his third season as the closer for the Twins when this card was issued. He saved 29 games, but the choice of him for a card number ending in zero is a bit questionable. His ERA was 4.55 ERA in 1984 and he blew 14 saves.

My observation on the front: I know that's not a briefcase next to Davis' hand, but that's what it looks like.

More opinion from me: Davis is one of those players who would look entirely different if he pitched in any other decade other than the 1980s. ... Then again, maybe he'd look like Tyler Clippard.

Something you might know: Davis began his major league career with the Yankees, working in tandem with closer Rich Gossage. He struck out eight straight batters in 1981, which you might know from the trivia question on a post not long ago.

Something you might not know:  Davis took a job as a waiter in New York during the players' strike in 1981, then moved to another waiter's job at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City while the strike continued. Later that summer, two walkways at the hotel collapsed, killing 113 people. Davis was one of the first people there pulling people from the rubble.

My observation on the back: The year after this set was issued, the person who portrayed Chief Noc-A-Homa left the Braves in a dispute over pay and job performance and the mascot never returned.

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