Random Topps Card of the Day: 2012 Topps #323 Jason Isringhausen

(To those affected by the effects of Hurricane Sandy, my family and I send our prayers out to you.)

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Tuesday, October 30, 2012:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2012 Topps #323.
• Player Name, position, team: Jason Isringhausen, pitcher, New York Mets.
• Major League Debut: July 17, 1995.
• Last Line of Statistics: 2011 stats (Mets): 53 G, 3-3, 46.2 IP, 36 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 24 BB (W), 44 SO, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 7 SV (S), 1.29 WHIP, 4.05 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Mets, #44th, June 1991.  Signed with the Mets as a Free Agent 02/15/2011. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 16. This is his fifteenth Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: n/a
• Commentary: I added the 2012 Topps cards to the Randomizer once I had the Update Series added to my collection.  This marks the first card that the TCR chose from this year's set.  Earlier in the year, it was pointed out that Topps decided to change some of the statistic headers.  That's why there were two columns for "W" and "S."  I think the stat header on the cards, beginning in series 2, and then all cards included in the factory sets, were corrected (that's why I have both category headers listed...because the card I have was from a pack).  In the mid 1990's, the Mets were crowing about their stockpile of young arms.  Akin to the Oakland A's of the 1991, the 1995 Mets had these pitching prodigies that they believed would be the foundation of a deep starting rotation that would be successful and give the Braves some competition.  Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson, and Jason Isringhausen all made it onto the roster that year at different points in 1995, but injuries started to derail each of their seasons.  While Pulsipher's major league career ended too soon (he did attempt a comeback with the Mariners in 2001), and Wilson found himself a journeyman reliever (doing well with the Reds in the mid 2000's), Isringhausen seemed to find the most success of the three.  So he didn't pan out as a starter, but as a closer, he became the 23rd pitcher in history to save 300 games, tying him with HOF Bruce Sutter in the All-Time Saves category.  He won the closer role with the Oakland Athletics, saving 75 games for the A's and making his first All-Star team in 2000.  Upon joining the Cardinals, he found tremendous success under the tutelage of Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan.  In seven years with St. Louis, Isringhausen saved 217 games, including a career high 47 in 2004 (he made his second All-Star team that year as well).  After a lackluster year with the Tampa Bay Rays (and being out of the majors in 2010), Jason returned to the Mets and took over the 8th inning role in the bullpen once Francisco Rodriguez was traded.  In 2012, Issy signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, going 3-2 in fifty games.  He didn't have any saves, but struck out 31 batters in 45.2 innings of work.  
• Beckett value: $0.05-$0.15.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 23 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be:  1981 Topps #16. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. We're looking back at a card from 1981 here on the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama