What a card: Jeff Leonard finished 10th in the National League in batting average at .302 in 1984. In the field, he was second in the league in double plays turned by an outfielder with two.
My observation on the front: Before Ken Griffey Jr. delighted collectors with his backward-turned cap, Jeff Leonard scared the bejesus out of them.
More opinion from me: As a guy who doesn't like the Giants, I enjoy that there is no visible sign that Leonard is a member of the Giants on the front of this card.
All-Star Game performance: There was no All-Star Game performance because Leonard was not an All-Star in 1984! He didn't play in an All-Star Game until 1987.
Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: Fake by a mile. Darryl Strawberry should have gotten this card and I'm surprised Topps didn't include Straw in this subset. The only reason Leonard is here is because they wanted to use this photo, right?.
My observation on the back: Leonard's numbers in 1984, although solid, weren't noteworthy. Tied for ninth with Mike Marshall, woo!
The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.
Future post idea - the history of random players being given All-Star cards by Topps. My favorite? Jeff Ballard. Or Shane Rawley. Or...
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