#757 - Willie McGee

What a card: Willie McGee enjoyed another fine season in his third year with the Cardinals in 1984 but the best was yet to come.

My observation on the front: My, my, that is one very '80s photograph.

More opinion from me: I am mystified as to why McGee did not receive a card number ending in a zero or a five. As if to prove Topps wrong, McGee would go on to win the National League MVP award in 1985.

Something you might know: McGee burst on the scene as a rookie in 1982, enjoying one of the best World Series first-year performances in Game 3 that year, hitting two home runs in the game and making a leaping catch at the wall.

Something you might not know: During McGee's rookie year, some players called him "E.T." (the movie came out at the same time McGee was called up to the majors). McGee disliked the nickname and thought it was rude.

My observation on the back: McGee was not allowed to play sports on Sunday, his church didn't permit it. So he sneaked out to play baseball. Later, McGee found out his father knew he was sneaking out, but didn't stop him.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated, backdated to Dec. 6th.