Random Topps Card of the Day: 1994 Topps #726 Alvaro Espinoza

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Tuesday, January 17, 2012:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1994 Topps #726.
• Player Name, position, team: Alvaro Espinoza, third baseman-shortstop, Cleveland Indians.
• Major League Debut: September 14, 1984.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1993 stats (Indians): 129 G, 263 AB, 34 R, 73 H, 15 2B, 0 3B. 4 HR, 27 RBI, 2 SB, .380 SLG, 8 BB, 36 SO, .278 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Signed with the Houston Astros as a Free Agent 10/30/1978. Signed with the Indians as a Free Agent 04/03/1992. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 6. This is his sixth and final Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "After 15 three-hit games in his career, Alvaro enjoyed his first four-hit outburst on July 2, 1993, against California."
• Commentary: Once again, the Randomizer picks a card from 1994. I think it's due for a tune-up. It's either that or that's just how the randomizer works. I don't know. The coolest thing about this card is the back photo of Alvaro sporting a straw hat and glasses. Although I like the action shot on the front of the card, I would not have minded Topps using the back photo for the front. Besides, this is the same set that includes Jose Rijo with a water blaster.
  
  
  
  Espinoza played all four infield positions in 1994, committing a grand total of 10 errors in 313 chances for a .968 fielding percentage. He saw action in 90 games that year, batting .238 with a homer and 19 driven in. Although this is his last regular Topps card, Alvaro went on to play parts of two seasons with the Tribe.  In a midseason deadline deal, Espinoza was traded to the Mets with Carlos Baerga for Jeff Kent and Jose Vizcaino, a straight-up trade for middle infielders.
• Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 8 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1985 Topps #67. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. We're looking back at a card from 1985 here on the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama