What a card: Tim Laudner was hanging on as a backup catcher for the Twins at this point. No longer the catching sensation he was thought to be in 1981 (think Joe Mauer of the early '80s), he was a part-time starter for most of the rest of his nine-year career.
My observation on the front: This is the third card in the set in which the player is not wearing a cap or helmet. Dave Lopes and Duane Kuiper were the first two.
More opinion from me: I don't believe that's the proper way to wear a chest protector there, Tim.
Something you might know: Laudner had a monster season for Triple A Orlando in 1981, hitting 42 home runs, the most in all of organized baseball.
Something you might not know: Laudner was a pitcher in high school, but switched to catcher because he had shoulder problems as a senior and didn't want to deal with the injuries associated with pitchers. But as a catcher, Laudner encountered knee issues, which eventually led to the end of his career in 1990.
My observation on the back: I'm going to assume that Laudner's hometown in 1985 was "Hamilton, Ohio." But the first thing I think of when I see "Hamilton, O." is "Hamilton, Ontario."
The blog wants to speak now: A couple of updates to the Pop Culture category as I am reminded how pervasive "We Are the World" was in 1985.
Yes, it is Hamilton Ohio. Looks like here was a probation officer there in the offseason.
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I guess Topps just didn't have room to write OH? Space looks pretty tight there. :)
Our host had commented about the "O." abbreviation for Ohio a while back -- IINM, this is at least the third card in the 1985 set where we've seen it. I never noticed it before, so I'm not sure if Topps used it in any other sets.
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