#772 - Johnnie LeMaster

What a card: Johnie LeMaster had completed his 10th and final full season with the Giants when this card was issued. He'd be traded to the Indians early in the 1985 season.

My observation on the front: LeMaster appears to have hitched his uniform pants a bit too high.

More opinion from me: Oh, man, we were merciless with this guy as kids in the late '70s. The name, the look and especially that career .201 batting average at the time. How did he last 10 years with the Giants?

Something you might know: LeMaster famously wore the word "Boo" on the back of his uniform in place of his last name for one game in 1979. It was a response to Giants fans repeatedly showering him with boos.

Something you might not know: LeMaster is the second person in major league history to hit an inside-the-park home run in the first at-bat of his major league career. He hit a liner up the middle against the Dodgers' Don Sutton in a September 1975 game and it hit a seam on the artificial turf at Candlestick Park and bounded over the head of center fielder John Hale.

My observation on the back: LeMaster's connection to Ron Salyer is mentioned on at least three of his Topps cards. Salyer pitched eight years in the Indians organization, never advancing than Double A.

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

#771 - Geoff Zahn

What a card: Geoff Zahn was in the midst of his final season when this card was issued. He encountered shoulder problems in 1985 and it ended his career.

My observation on the front: It's a sunny day in Anaheim ... or, wherever.

More opinion from me: I cannot write about a Geoff Zahn card and not mention his rookie card, from 1975 Topps. It was the second Dodger card I obtained that first year I collected. I cherished it as much as the Steve Yeager card in that set and to view the '75 Zahn now, especially the mini Zahn, still brings back those old memories.

Something you might know: Zahn became the ace for the 1982 California Angels, who won the AL West pennant before losing to the Brewers in the playoffs.

Something you might not know: Lou Piniella described being struck out by Zahn, who was known more for his finesse than power, like "being bitten by a stuffed panda."

My observation on the back: Zahn returned to Michigan to be the head coach for the baseball team during the late 1990s.

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

#770 - Carlton Fisk

What a card: Carlton Fisk struggled through an injury-plagued season in 1984, appearing in just 102 games. The continued battle with injuries prompted him to overhaul his training routine and in '85 he reached career highs in home runs and RBIs at age 37.

My observation on the front: Fisk with the eternal pissed-off look on his baseball cards.

More opinion from me: I'm still not thrilled Fisk spent so much time with the White Sox. I associated Fisk so much with the Red Sox as a youngster that his appearance in a different uniform may have baffled me more than any other team switch.

Something you might know: Fisk hit one of the most memorable home runs in World Series history, his extra-inning shot off the foul pole in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. The highlight has remained in so many fans' minds because the camera remained on Fisk as he bounded down the first base line, waving the ball fair. The cameraman was interviewed years later and he said he kept the camera on Fisk instead of following the ball because he was distracted by a rat near him and couldn't move the camera toward the ball.

Something you might not know: At age 43, Fisk singled in the 1991 All-Star Game, becoming the oldest major leaguer to produce a hit in the All-Star Game.

My observation on the back: Fisk appears on the first card in the set, making me wonder if this is the greatest gap between two cards featuring the same player within the same set.

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

#769 - Joe Cowley

What a card: Joe Cowley returns to Topps cards after taking the 1984 set off. He was entering the peak of his career at this point after going 9-2 in his first season with the Yankees.

My observation on the front: It's a sunny image of a player who would fall apart in three short years.

More opinion from me: I heard how great Cowley was going to be from the usual Yankee fans near me during this period. Little did they know that the Yankees were entering a long dry spell.

Something you might know: Cowley threw one of the most surprising no-hitters in history while playing for the White Sox. On Sept. 19, 1986, he no-hit the Angels while walking seven. He walked the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

Something you might not know: Yankees teammate John Montefusco pulled a spring training prank on Cowley in which Montefusco got a couple of Fort Lauderdale policemen to march into the locker room, read a warrant in front of the whole team and then lead Cowley away in handcuffs.

My observation on the back: Had I known that Cowley had toiled in the minors for 10 years, I wouldn't have believed for a second those Yankee fans touting Cowley's greatness.

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

#768 - Ron Cey

What a card: Ron Cey provided notable power for the NL East champion Cubs in 1984, but his batting average dipped to a career-low .240.

My observation on the front: A Cubs uniform. Psssh.

More opinion from me: This might be the most depressing Ron Cey card. After two years of Ron Cey Cubs cards, I had to accept that he was not coming back to the Dodgers. I'd also like to point out that as soon as Cey started appearing on Cubs cards, Topps stopped giving him hero numbers (card numbers ending in '5' or '0').

Something you might know: "The Penguin" was a consistent All-Star for the Dodgers and a key contributor to the Dodgers' World Series title in 1981. Also, he is the favorite player of the guy who writes this blog.

Something you might not know: Cey received his penguin nickname from his college coach, Bobo Brayton, at Washington State.

My observation on the back: That's a lot of good information in the bio write-up. I'm proud to say I knew all of it already, and I own his recordings on good old-fashioned vinyl.

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

#766 - Paul Mirabella

What a card: Paul Mirabella appeared in 52 games in 1984, his first season with the Mariners. It would be his most games pitched in a single season for his 13-year career.

My observation on the front: I like the stadium seats background effect.

More opinion from me: Mirabella kept that mustache with him his entire career. He got rid of the fu manchu look late in the career, but overall rather impressive to stay that consistent.

Something you might know: Mirabella was part of two large deals involving the Yankees in back-to-back years. He came to New York as part of the deal that sent Sparky Lyle to Texas. That trade also netted the Yankees Dave Righetti. The following year, Mirabella went to Toronto along with Chris Chambliss and Damasco Garcia for Rick Cerone and Tom Underwood.

Something you might know: Mirabella was the only member of the short-lived 1989-90 Senior League to return to the majors for more than a few games. The Brewers picked him up in 1990 and he appeared in 44 games for Milwaukee.

My observation on the back: I see we're back to Trivia Questions for Idiots.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category  is updated with more baseball meeting trade news, this time with a speculated big-name trade that never happened.

#765 - Willie Randolph

What a card: Willie Randolph supplied a career-high 162 hits in 1984 as he remained a model of consistency for the Yankees during this time period.

My observation on the front: This is the first time since he started appearing on Topps cards in 1976 that Randolph is shown in the field. He'd appear in the field again in 1988 and 1992.

More opinion from me: Randolph was one of the most irritating Yankees in terms of ability (not attitude) during the late 1970s/early 1980s Yankee-Dodger clashes. He always seemed to come through. My opinion of him softened when he signed with the Dodgers in 1988.

Something you might know: A former co-captain of the Yankees, Randolph managed the Mets to the NLCS in 2006.

Something you might not know: Reggie Jackson claims in his book "Becoming Mr. October" that Randolph was the only black player on the Yankees who reached out to him. Jackson, whose support among Yankee teammates was less than tepid, said that rest of the black players "were always supporting the other side."

My observation on the back: That one season for the Pirates really stands out, especially at the time when we all believed Randolph would remain a Yankee for the rest of his career.

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

#764 - Jamie Easterly

What a card: Jamie Easterly appeared in just 26 games in 1984, his lowest total since the 1979 season when he spent most of the year in the minors.

My observation on the front: Going with the hero shot with this photo is a bold move for a career 4.65 hurler.

More opinion from me: I first encountered Easterly on his 1978 Topps card. His career ERA was 5.59 on the back. A year later, on his 1979 Topps card, his career ERA was even worse. I never guessed then that Topps would still be making Jamie Easterly cards in 1985.

Something you might know: Easterly became a regular member of the Brewers' bullpen when they reached the postseason in 1981 and 1982.

Something you might not know: Easterly, while once trying a new training plan in the offseason, stepped into a gopher hole while running backward and hurt his back.

My observation on the back: On a really good day, Jamie watches golf and hunting on TV.

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

#763 - Kiko Garcia

What a card: This is the final card of Kiko Garcia issued during his career. He appeared in 57 games in his second year with the Phillies.

My observation the front: The Phillies uniform doesn't look right on Garcia. I associate him 99.9999 percent with the Orioles. The other .0001 percent goes to the Astros.

More opinion from me: When Garcia came up with the Orioles, my brother thought his name was a hoot. "Kiko," we used it often to hassle my youngest brother, an Orioles fan.

Something you might know: Garcia took the starting shortstop role for the Orioles in 1979 and proved to be a revelation that year in the World Series when he hit .400 and drove in six runs.

Something you might not know: During the 1979 ALCS, Garcia had to post bail for his brother, who was detained for scalping a playoff ticket and then found with drugs when police searched him.

My observation on the back: Christy Mathewson still holds the World Series complete-game record. There isn't anyone more recent than Bob Gibson in the top 10.

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

#762 - Eddie Whitson

What a card: Eddie Whitson enjoyed a career year in 1984, winning 14 games in 31 starts for the NL champion Padres. He won Game 3 of the NLCS and started Game 2 of the World Series for San Diego.

My observation on the front: Topps insisted on calling Whitson "Eddie" on his cards. All of the other card companies called him "Ed," which is all I knew him as during his career.

More opinion from me: The many printing dots are spoiling what would be a terrific golden card on a blue background.

Something you might know: Whitson turned his successful 1984 season into a big contract with the Yankees, then got off to a terrible start in 1985, causing fans to turn on him and send him hate mail. Later that season he got into a brawl with manager Billy Martin.

Something you might not know: During Whitson's difficulty in New York, he once found nails driven into his driveway behind all four tires of his vehicle.

My observation on the back: The Giants now play their home games in "AT&T Park" because wonderful-sounding ballpark names are a relic of the past.

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

#761 - Jerry Remy

What a card: Jerry Remy's 1984 season was cut short by continued knee problems. He was done playing not even halfway through the season and retired in 1985. This is his final Topps card.

My observation on the front: If you had to come up with a prototype of a second baseman from my childhood it would be Jerry Remy.

More opinion from me: Remy was a favorite when I was a kid. I liked his Angels cards and then was thrilled when the Red Sox acquired him.

Something you might know: Remy became a longtime broadcaster for the Red Sox very shortly after his career ended. He dealt with another recurrence of lung cancer in 2017.

Something you might not know: Remy was one of a few early 1980s baseball players to pose in Playgirl in various states of undress. Others were George, Brett, Dennis Eckersley, Dan Ford, Phil Garner, Rickey Henderson, Steve Stone and Steve Yeager.

My observation on the back: Given Remy's eastern Massachusetts roots and that prominent Boston accent, it's a wonder he escaped the area for three years in California.

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