Random Topps Card of the Day: 2002 Topps #335 Rickey Henderson Season Highlight

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Wednesday, April 21, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2002 Topps #335.
• Player Name, position, team: Rickey Henderson, outfielder, San Diego Padres.
• Special: Season Highlights: Henderson Reaches 3,000 Hit Plateau
• Any special information about this specific card: There really wasn't much else left that Rickey needed to do in baseball. He pretty much accomplished everything a legendary baseball player could possibly accomplish. He's won multiple World Series, he's a Gold Glove Winner, won a few 1981 Silver Slugger Awards, he was the 1990 AL MVP, and, oh yeah, he's the All-Time Stolen Base King!!! He also is the scored the most runs in MLB history, and for a while, was the MLB leader in walks too (and was the subject of another card in the 2002 Topps set)...but that's not what this specific card highlights. On October 7, 2001, on what was to be Tony Gwynn's final game in the majors, Rickey led off the bottom of the first, and hit the first pitch he saw to right field, stopping at second base. This double would become Rickey's 3,000th career hit. And for the first time ever, two National League teammates were members of the 3,000 hit club. Said Gwynn afterwards, "Of all the things I wanted to have happen today, Rickey getting his 3,000th hit was at the top of the list." This would also be Rickey's only plate appearance, thus ending his season as well. The card itself is printed on a foil board surface, which was not used for the regular players cards. This gives the card a reflective shine that makes the card look like it's a gold card. Ironically, for those looking to complete their 2002 Topps Gold card sets, this wasn't one of the cards the gold card treatment (quite frankly, any card printed using the same foil-plated surface didn't not get a gold card parallel).
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.20-$0.50.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1976 Topps #481. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama