What a card: This is Tim Teufel's first Topps card. He received cards in the 1984 Donruss and Fleer sets, as well as the '84 Topps Traded set. But Topps waited until Teufel finished fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in '84 to give him a card in its flagship '85 set.
My observation on the front: Teufel was noted for the "Teufel Shuffle" when he was in the batter's box, moving his butt back-and-forth while he waited for the pitch. I wonder if that's what he's doing in this photo?
More opinion from me: That stance is a little like Rod Carew's, from the other side, of course.
Something you might know: Teufel batted .444 in nine at-bats for the Mets against the Red Sox in the 1986 World Series. He's also known for his at-bats against the Blue Jays' Jim Gott because Gott's last name in German means "God" and Teufel's last name in German means "devil." The first home run of Teufel's career came against Gott.
Something you might not know: Teufel was dealt from the Twins to the Mets for former top prospect Billy Beane, who would go on to Moneyball fame as GM for the Oakland A's.
My observation on the back: Other players on Clemson's 1980 team who went on to the majors were pitcher Jimmy Key and infielder Danny Sheaffer, who played for the Rockies and Cardinals.
The blog wants to speak now: First day back at work after vacation. I'm too tired to updated the tabs. Sorry.
Teufel finished 4th in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, not the NL. He actually had a higher WAR that year than his fellow rookie teammate, Kirby Puckett.
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