My Wallet Card for 2015 #WalletCard @breakdowncards

On January 2, defgav, the guy who runs the Baseball Card Breakdown blog brought up a, well, not so necessarily new concept for collectors to do in 2015, but it's something that has gotten many of the Hobby Blogging Community together on their sites and on Twitter (I'm at @bdj610 if you want to follow) abuzz.

The concept: Wallet Cards.

This isn't something new. Bob Costas has been known for carrying a Mickey Mantle card in his wallet wherever he goes. By now, unless he's replaced it over the years (and I've heard people have been giving him copies of that card) it has to be damaged to smithereens.

For the life of me, I can't remember for the life of me who did this, but somebody took a stack of cards, and carried them with him in his pocket for a full year, and then compared what they looked like at the beginning of the experiment to the end (the results weren't pretty).

UPDATE: Thank you to J. Meeks, the guy who runs My Cardboard Habit. It looks like Mark Aubrey, the guy who ran Mark's Ephemera (he's on a break right now...) was the one who pondered,

"What if I took 20 sports cards and treated them like I might have when I was in elementary school for the summer?"

The results are here. Viewer's discretion is advised (if looking at this stuff will make you wince).

Now, this is what the guy at BCB proposed:

"The idea is to pick a junk dupe of a card you like (but are willing to "sacrifice") and carry it around in your wallet for a full year, occasionally taking pictures of it on your travels or wherever, and share them on your blog. Sort of like the Cards in Odd Places feature I've done a couple times.

"It should be a card that makes you smile every time you see it, since you'll probably be seeing a lot of it. If size/weight is a concern, consider choosing a mini."

Now when I worked for my previous employers, I was given a badge and a lanyard with one of those electronic key things to hang around my neck. Now, because the badge would always twirl, I thought it would be a good idea to put a baseball card behind my badge. Just for fun. I learned that I couldn't fit a regular 2½ by 3½ card in the plastic pocket that held the badge and key, so I picked a mini card from Allen & Ginter's...specifically:



Okay, imagine the mini version of this card in a mini card penny sleeve and top-loader, and you get the idea.

After one year or so of that, I had this card behind my badge until they closed the place:

Now, while both cards were protected from being folded, wear, or Dinged Corners (I miss Patricia and Lucy), the holder did collect a lot of dust, crumbs (I worked for a food company), and other foreign objects. The cards did get hit and if one were to look closely at the cards themselves (not the pictures above), you could see tiny divots where the some of these things stuck. Eww.

So back to the point. What card can I put in my wallet for an entire year, and then occasionally take a picture of it to share on this humble, little blog?

It is supposed to make me smile when I see it (because supposedly, I'd be seeing it a lot). Should I use an older card from the junk wax era? Should it be a more modern card with the new card stock? Decisions, decisions.

If I could, I'd try and find that Sparky Anderson card from 1988 Topps that's so worn out it looks like it was placed in a wallet for decades.

Sorry Sparky. (Note that this is not the actual card...the real card is buried...I think, in a box in the basement).

Should it be a mini card like the Lincoln or the Philippines flag? I don't know, unless I have the top loader, I'd rather not.

Should I even use, gasp, a card from another company?

I know that the card I'm going to stick in my wallet will have to be of a Cub. But which one? Should I go with "childhood" (Sandberg, Grace, Dawson), or "adult" (Lee, Ramirez, Wood), or current (Castro, Rizzo)?

I got it. Let me find it.

Perfect.

While I didn't find the card of the player I wanted, I did find a good one here.

I'll have the "Hawk" hang out in my wallet in 2015. The 1992 Topps Andre Dawson #460 card will do just fine. This is the actual card.

So what I'll do is at least once a month, I will take a scan of the card, and compare it to the image above and see how it survives being carried around in my wallet. Hey, it looks nice. Now. At the end of the year? We'll see.

Count me in for the Wallet Card game in 2015.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps Traded #126T B. J. Wallace

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Thursday, June 19, 2014:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps Traded #126T.
• Player Name, position, team: B. J. Wallace, pitcher, Team USA.
• Major League Debut: n/a.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Mississippi State University): 19 G, 127.1 IP, 9-3, 43 R, 38 ER, 145 SO, 35 BB, 14 GS, 7 CG, 4 SHO, 2 SV, 2.69 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Bats: left. Throws: left.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 2. This is his first Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "In 1992, B.J. set a Mississippi State University record for Strikeouts, becoming the first pitcher in history of the school to achieve two consecutive 100-Strikeout seasons. He tied a school standard with 4 Shutouts and was co-MVP of the NCAA Midwest Regional. B.J. established a career-best with 11 Strikeouts vs. Vanderbilt in 1991."
• Commentary: With Topps as one of the sponsors for the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team, they had the rights to produce cards of each of the members of the team that would head to Barcelona. Unfortunately, the team would not win a medal in these games, finishing fourth out of the eight teams participating. But they did finish with a 5-2 record (the two losses being in the playoffs against Cuba and Japan in the Bronze medal game). But William J. Wallace performed well in the games, earning a W against Italy, striking out 14 batters in 8 innings of work in a 10-0 blowout. He was drafted by the Expos as the #3rd pick overall in the 1992 June draft. However, injuries kept him from performing to his potential, and after being on the DL for the entire 1995 season, and a short-lived comeback did not pan out the following season, Wallace did call it quits, never making it to the major leagues. He would take up coaching at the high school level. One interesting tidbit finds that in 2011, Wallace and his wife were arrested and charged "on suspicion of building a methamphetamine lab in their home." I think we'll stop there.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.08-$0.25.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 2.

Tomorrow's card will be: 2011 Topps Update Series #US265. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Until tomorrow everybody.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #667 Roberto Hernandez

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, April 5, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #667.
• Player Name, position, team: Roberto Hernandez, pitcher, Chicago White Sox.
• Major League Debut: September 2, 1991.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (White Sox): 9 G, 15 IP, 1-0, 15 R, 13 ER, 6 SO, 7 BB, 3 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 0 SV, 7.80 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Angels #1st, June 1986. Traded by the Angels to the White Sox 08/03/1989. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 16. This is his first Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Roberto was signed for the Angels by Scout Al Goldis."
• Commentary: Long before he became the pitcher known for "almost ending Cal Ripken Jr.'s consecutive games played streak," Roberto Manuel (Rodriguez) Hernandez was being groomed as the closer-in-waiting for the Chicago White Sox. At the time, the Pale Hose already had a lights out closer named Bobby Thigpen. But knowing that he was injured during an exhibition in Japan, and seeing that he wasn't the same pitcher afterwards, they turned to Hernandez to take over the closing duties. In 43 games during the 1992 campaign, Hernandez went 7-3, finishing 27 games, saving 12 of them, had an ERA of 1.65 (which would be his career best), 68 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.915. With numbers like these, it made Thigpen expendable, and soon it was Thigpen who was traded off to Philadelphia for the 1993 campaign while Roberto became the full-time closer. With hitters like Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura, speed demons Lance Johnson and Tim Raines, and a pitching staff that included Jack McDowell, Alex Frenandez, Wilson Alvarez, and Jason Bere, Hernandez had no problems shutting the door on opposing teams as he went on to save 38 of the 70 games he appeared, to go with a 3-4 record and a 2.29 ERA. With all that star power, the 1993 Chicago White Sox won their first division title since 1983. With the White Sox, Hernandez went 29-24, had an ERA of 2.87, saved 161 games, struck out 411 batters in 404.2 innings of work, had a WHIP of 1.223, and made one All-Star Team. In 1997, Roberto was traded along with Alvarez and Danny Darwin to the San Francisco Giants in what has now become known as the "White Flag Trade." He signed with the Devil Rays for their inaugural season (making his second and final All-Star Team). From there, Hernandez began his nomadic journey through the majors. He was included in a three-team, seven player trade that landed him in Kansas City (2001). He signed on with the Braves for one year (2003), the Phillies for another (2004), the Mets the next (2005), and finally the Pirates before being traded back to the Mets as a deadline deal in 2006. After a tumultuous 2007 season that saw him playing for both the Indians and Dodgers, Roberto Hernandez promptly called it a career. By the end of it all, he joined two exclusive clubs: the 300-save club (326 lifetime) and the 1000 games pitched club (1010 appearances in his 17 years in the majors). It is worth noting that in 1991, he started three games (see the last line of statistics), going 1-0 in 11.1 innings of work, 6.35 ERA and 5 K's). Those would be the only starts in his long major league career.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 20.

Tomorrow's card will be: 2004 Topps #296. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #138 Monty Fariss

(Before I begin, I'd like to with my sister, Patricia, a Happy Birthday!!!)

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, March 23, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #138.
• Player Name, position, team: Monty Fariss, shortstop, Texas Rangers.
• Major League Debut: September 6, 1991.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Rangers): 19 G, 31 AB, 6 R, 8 H, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .387 SLG, 7 BB, 11 SO, .258 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Rangers #1st, June 1988. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 4. This is his second Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Monty was signed for Rangers by Scout Doug Gassaway."
• Commentary: Monty Fariss and Robin Ventura have a lot in common. Both were on the Oklahoma State University baseball team, Fariss at shortstop, Ventura at third base. Both were selected in the first round of the 1988 free agent draft in June, Fariss (6th) to the Texas Rangers and Ventura (10th) to the Chicago White Sox. But while Ventura went on to a long and productive career in the majors, and is now a major league manager, Fariss' career lasted parts of three seasons from 1991 through 1993 with the Rangers and the expansion Florida Marlins. Monty Ted Fariss racked up the frequent flyer miles between Arlington and Oklahoma City. While with Texas, Fariss appeared in 67 games, hit .217 with 3 home runs and 21 rbi's. Monty was selected by the Marlins in the 1992 expansion draft (69th pick overall, 35th pick by Florida). He appeared for the Marlins in 18 games, mostly as a pinch hitter. In 34 plate appearances, Fariss went 3 for 29 (.172 average) with 2 rbi's before being sent "down" to Edmonton in June. It would be the last he appeared in the big leagues. Monty stayed on with the Marlins organization for another year, the signed on with the Cubs as a minor league free agent. But after 10 games at Iowa, he left for the Mexican League. When the 1995 season ended, so did Fariss' career. On the back of Fariss' card is a panoramic shot of Arlington Stadium. It would be Topps' first attempt at using a colored picture on the back of their baseball cards.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 6.

Tomorrow is Retro Sunday, the one day of the week that we feature a card from 1951-1975. The card we will feature tomorrow is: 1953 Topps #239. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #755 Alex Fernandez

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, March 11, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #755.
• Player Name, position, team: Alex Fernandez, pitcher, Chicago White Sox.
• Major League Debut: August 2, 1990.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (White Sox): 34 G, 191.2 IP, 9-13, 100 R, 96 ER, 145 SO, 88 BB, 32 GS, 2 CG, 0 SHO, 0 SV, 4.51 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the White Sox #1st, June 1990. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 10. This is his second Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Achieved his first major league Victory: 8-7-90. Achieved first major league Complete Game: 9-8-90." Actually, that first complete game happened the week before on 09/02/1990, so that little factoid on the back of the card is incorrect.
• Commentary: There is a nice panoramic shot of New Comiskey Park (now known as US Cellular Field) on the back of Fernandez' card. It would be the first attempt at a color picture on the back of a Topps Baseball card. Granted, the fact that they changed over to a white card stock made it possible, but it was the start of better things to come regarding the back of these cards. Alex Fernandez was a highly decorated college pitcher. He was the precursor to that guy who pitches for half a season in DC. He won the Dick Howser Trophy as National College Baseball Player of the Year, and he won the Golden Spikes Award, which honors the best amateur baseball player in the country. It was no wonder that the White Sox had to nab him as their number 1 pick in the 1990 draft (he was fourth selected overall, behind Mike Lieberthal, Tony Clark, and some kid named Chipper). Eight games in the minor leagues later (2 games each with the Rookie GCL team and Sarasota of the FSL and 4 games in Birmingham, the organization's AA team), and Alex wound up being recalled to the big club in Chicago. In 13 games with the Sox in 1990, he went 5-5 in his decisions with a 3.80 ERA and 61 strikeouts. In 1992, Alex went 8-11 with an ERA of 4.27 and 95 strikeouts in 29 games. When the White Sox won the division in 1993, Alex Fernandez was the perfect complement for ace Jack McDowell, with a dominating 18-9 record and 169 strikeouts to go with career lows in ERA (3.13) and WHIP (1.164). It would be the first of five consecutive years that he would win at least 10 games during the season without a losing record. When he became a free agent, he took a chance and signed on with his hometown team, the Florida Marlins. He left the White Sox after seven productive seasons, a 79-63 record, 3.78 ERA, and 951 strikeouts. In his first year with the Marlins, Alex earned the win in 17 of the 32 games he started (12 losses) and was on the postseason roster as the team made its run to the World Series. Shoulder problems during the playoffs kept him off the official WS roster, but nonetheless, he earned his World Series ring as the Marlins beat the Indians in 7. The shoulder problems did not go away and Fernandez was sidelined for the entire 1998 season. He came back in 1999, and did pretty well, but by 2000, after 8 games, the injuries took hold once again. So in 2001, he retired as an active player. Since then, he has involved himself in radio and politics around Miami Beach. He is the director of baseball operations at a high school in Southwest Ranches. He has lent his name to a couple of shops in the Miami area that sells baseball equipment (here is the website), and in 2008, he was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.
• Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 14 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 2004 Topps #593. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #375 Bert Blyleven

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, March 2, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #375.
• Player Name, position, team: Bert Blyleven, pitcher, Cleveland Indians.
• Major League Debut: June 05, 1970.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Angels): ON DISABLED LIST.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by Twins #3rd, June 1969. Traded by the Twins to the Angels 11/03/1988. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 25. This is his twenty-fourth Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: n/a.
• Commentary: The Randomizer knows how to pick them, doesn't it? Because today's player was featured less than one month ago, albeit it was his 1981 Topps Traded card. If you want to see what I wrote about the man then, including what he has done since, then please flash back to February 7, 2013. Today will just be a quick review of his 1992 season in today's commentary. When they finally changed over the paper stock of their cards from the traditional gray to a non glossy white, Topps was finally catching up to their competitors in what would be a new age of collecting. They even experimented with color photos in the backs of their cards. So what if it was just a panoramic shot of the player's home stadium. It was progress. Rik Aalbert Blijleven (aka Bert Blyleven) spent the entire 1991 season on the disabled list following rotator cuff surgery. He came back the following year, in what would turn out to be his final season as a major league ball player, with an 8-12 record, a 4.74 ERA, 70 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.346. In his 3 active seasons with the Angels, he was 33-24 with an ERA of 3.92, struck out 270 batters in 81 games (80 starts). It would be 20 years after he pitched in his last ballgame when Blyleven would finally be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame.
• Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 42 cards.

Tomorrow is Retro Sunday, the one day of the week that we feature a card from 1951-1975. The card we will feature tomorrow is: 1951 Topps Blue Back #17. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #13 Mike Scioscia

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Tuesday, February 12, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #13.
• Player Name, position, team: Mike Scioscia, catcher, Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Major League Debut: April 20, 1980.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Dodgers): 119 G, 345 AB, 39 R, 91 H, 16 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 4 SB, .391 SLG, 47 BB, 32 SO, .264 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Dodgers #1st, June 1976. Bats: left. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 22 (13 as a player, 9 as a manager). This is his twelfth Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Mike once saw service as the Dodgers' Press Box Coach."
• Commentary: The large pictures. The borders actually going into the picture instead of on the edges. The fact that the borders are color coordinated with the team's actual colors. Is there nothing more to love about the 1992 Topps design??? I have absolutely no idea what a Press Box Coach is...let me look it up. Other than an example of a coach actually "coaching" from the press box, I'm not sure if that's how Scioscia got the gig. All I know is this. He was a great catcher for one Los Angeles team, and he is a great manager for the other one. By the time this card had come out, he was a two-time All-Star, a two-time World Series Champion. In 1992, what would be his final season with the Dodgers and as a player for that matter, he showed that he could still play well even though the Dodgers finished in the basement of the NL West. In 117 games, Scioscia hit for a .221 average with 3 home runs and 24 rbi's. He committed 9 errors in 724 chances for a .988 fielding average. There was a changing of the guard in the catchers ranks as Mike Piazza had made his MLB debut that year, and the Dodgers' brass pegged him to be the catcher of the future of the organization. Seeing this to be the case, Scioscia signed on with the San Diego Padres. However, due to injury, he never played for the team. As his playing career came to an end, he took the opportunity to continue being involved in the game by becoming a minor league coach for the Dodgers' organization. He rose up the ranks, eventually joining the major league team as a coach. He was hired by the Anaheim Angels to become their manager for the 2000 season, and under his leadership, the Angels won the 2002 World Series. He is presently the franchise's all-time managerial leader in wins, and the longest-tenured skipper in Major League Baseball (the dean of managers).
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 32.

Tomorrow's card will be: 2000 Topps #295. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. We're looking back at a card from 2000 here on the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps Traded #35T Ron Fraser

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, January 12, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps Traded #35T.
• Name, position, team: Ron Fraser, head coach, USA Olympic Baseball Team.
• Olympic Debut: July 26, 1992.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1992 stats (Team USA): 5-2 4th place finish
• Any special information about manager: Named Head Coach of USA Baseball Team 10/23/1990.
• Any special information about this specific card: Fraser's first and only Topps card.
• Commentary: The Topps Card Randomizer proudly presents the Head Coach of the USA Baseball Team who led team in the first Olympics to recognize baseball as an official sport (in 1984 and 1988, the games were considered exhibition).  When he wasn't coaching Team USA, Fraser was the long time head coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes baseball program.  With the Hurricanes (1963-1992), Fraser's teams went 1,271-438-9, and won the 1982 and 1985 National Championships.  He championed the Hurricanes' baseball program and helped save it from elimination. He served in World War II, stationed in Germany and the Netherlands.  During his stay in Europe, he managed both the German and Netherlands national baseball teams.  In 1963, he returned stateside and began his career with the University of Miami.  His 1992 US Olympic Team players included the likes of Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, Charles Johnson, and Jason Giambi.  Although the Olympic Team finished in fourth, he set the stage for the US Baseball program to flourish to where it is today.  The back of Coach Fraser's card features a lengthy biography of the man's celebrated career, from his playing days to the degrees he earned at FSU (Bachelor of Science, Physical Education) to 19 consecutive appearances in the postseason (1973-1992) which is still active after the 2012 season. He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.08-$0.25.
• How many cards of this person do I own?: 1 card.

Tomorrow is Retro Sunday, the one day of the week that we feature a card from 1951-1975. The card we will feature tomorrow is: 1967 Topps #604. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps Traded #17T Jim Bullinger

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, November 10, 2012:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps Traded #17T.
• Player Name, position, team: Jim Bullinger, pitcher, Chicago Cubs.
• Major League Debut: May 27, 1992.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Charlotte, AA-Southern): 20 G, 142.2 IP, 9-9, 62 R, 56 ER, 128 SO, 61 BB, 20 GS, 8 CG, 0 SHO, 0 SV, 3.53 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Cubs, #9th, June 1986. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 5. This is his first Topps card.sss
• Blurb on the back: "Jim was signed as a 9th round Draft selection of the Chicago Cubs, June 3, 1986 by Scout Earl Wynn.  He made his major league debut May 27, 1992."
• Commentary:  A picture like should explain why I love the 1992 Topps set.  It is a full picture, with the border/design elements as a frame.  The colors are bright, thanks to the new white paper stock that was being used by the Topps Company.  For the longest time, Bullinger was the last Chicago Cub to hit a home run in his first at bat as a major leaguer (on the first pitch too).  Which is just as well as he was drafted by the Cubs as a shortstop.  But the infielder-turned-pitcher was 22-23 in the minors by the time the 1991 season ended, so he was worth looking at during spring training the following season.  Bullinger spent five seasons with the Cubs, going 27-28 with a 4.77 ERA and 301 K's.  His best season was in 1995 as he reached double digits in wins for the first and only time in his career.  He spent the last two seasons of his big league career with a season each with the Expos and Mariners.  
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 5.

Tomorrow is Retro Sunday, the one day of the week that we feature a card from 1951-1975. The card we will feature tomorrow is: 1959 Topps #163. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #421 Juan Agosto

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, October 8, 2012:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #421.
• Player Name, position, team: Juan Agosto, pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals.
• Major League Debut: September 7, 1981.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Cardinals): 72 G, 86 IP, 5-3, 52 R, 46 ER, 34 SO, 39 BB, 0 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 2 SV, 4.81 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Signed with the Red Sox as a Free Agent 08/29/1974.  Signed with the Cardinals as a Free Agent 12/14/1990. Bats: left. Throws: left.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 10. This is his tenth and final Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Juan enjoyed streak of 10 consecutive wins in 1988."
• Commentary: Some of the reasons why I liked the 1992 Topps design include the use of the large pictures (which seems to be a big deal for me it seems), and the fact that the border/design elements are inside of the picture instead of right on the edge of the picture.  The color borders were a plus.  But the biggest reason why I like this design was that I was also the proud owner of a 1992 Topps Micro set.  I actually stopped looking at my regular set and was playing with the micro cards for months (anybody remember the joy trying to sort those babies out by team or by card number???).  By the time I started looking at my regular cards again, they looked so HUGE!!!  Juan Agosto started out with the 1983 "Winning Ugly" White Sox, and throughout his career was used primarily in middle relief with a few saves sprinkled here and there.  By the time he joined the Cardinals, he had led the NL in games pitched (82 games with the Astros).  For two seasons with the Cards, he provided a stable veteran presence in the bullpen.  But his 6.12 ERA in 1992 for the Redbirds forced the Cardinals to look elsewhere.  The Mariners signed him soon afterwards.  He finished his MLB career after one more year with the Astros in 1993.  
• Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 10 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 2001 Topps #752. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Comparing the Major League Debut Classes of 1991 and 2011.

In 1990, Topps created a set honoring the players who made their MLB debut during the 1989 campaign. It was a relatively successful set, with future HOF's like Ken Griffey, Jr., and Deion Sanders (okay, he's in the Football HOF) and others. In 2009, I created a post comparing the MLB Debut classes of 1989 and 2009 in honor of that set. Because the MLB Debut set had a three-year run, I thought it would be a good idea to continue this series of comparisons with the MLB Debut classes of 1990 and 2010 and again for the Debut classes of 1991 and 2011. Who knows? This might be an annual post at the end of the season and I'll probably do one for 1992 and 2012 next year.

According to Baseball Reference, 17,733 athletes have their names into the annals of Major League Baseball record-keeping. In fact, 239 of them made their MLB Debuts in 2011. That's 239 more players that have etched their names into history books, baseball encyclopedias, and baseball websites. Two hundred thirty-nine more players who finally reached the pinnacle of their professional careers, no matter how long or how brief their stay was. They can honestly say that they have arrived.

In 1992, Topps created a box set featuring all 192 players who made their big league debuts throughout the 1991 season. The 194-card set (featuring two checklists), was similar in design to the 1992 Topps set, but instead of a team name, the colored box that appeared on the right side of the card contained the date of the player's first appearance. Once again, the players' cards were numbered in alphabetical order, even though the checklists listed all the players by the date of their debut. It would also be the final MLB Debut set Topps conceived.

Everyone from Jeff Bagwell (who debuted on April 8, 1991 and was one of four players to make his debut that day) to Doug Lindsey (who made his first appearance on October 6, 1991, the last player to debut that season) was included in this set. Twenty-six players would go on to become All-Stars at some point in their careers. We'd all get to know their names on a regular basis like Mo Vaughn, Rod Beck, Jim Thome, Bernie Williams, Kenny Lofton, and more who were part of this set. Players who had high expectations, but eventually faded from the spotlight (Scott Kamieniecki, Kirk Dressendorfer, Tom Drees) were also in this set. This was the only set that would have Topps cards of Phillies pitcher Amalio Carreno, and Jeff Banister of the Pirates.

Believe it or not, three players who made their debut in 1991 were still on a MLB roster during the 2011 season. The debutantes of 1991 (as of the end of the 2011 season) combined for 74 All-Star Game appearances, 4,788 home runs, 20,331 runs batted in, 3,444 stolen bases, and a batting average of about .267. Pitchers who debuted in 1990 have gone on to a combined record of 2709-2693, saved 1375 games, completed 328 games, faced 205,683 batters, struck out 33,360 of them, gave up 5,364 home runs, and had a cumulative ERA of 4.35.

At any given point during the 2011 season, there were 750 players on active rosters (not counting those on the disabled list). And in amongst the shuffling of talent, 239 baseball players, some who've toiled in the minors for a very long time, and at least two players who were drafted in the 2010 free agent draft, got to step onto the field of a major league stadium for the very first time and play at least one inning of major league baseball. One hundred seven of them were position players, the other 132 stepped onto the pitcher's mound for the very first time. Of the 239, three were born in 1991 (Julio Teheran,Mike Trout,and Jacob Turner) and the oldest player to debut was 35 years old (Yoshinori Tateyama).

The 2011 debutantes combined for two All-Star Game appearances (Aaron Crow and Michael Pineda), 188 home runs, 1001 runs batted in, 230 stolen bases, and a cumulative .246 batting average. Pitchers went 168-219 with an ERA of 4.43, striking out 2,968 batters, and saved 35 games.

Just for fun, let's compare both classes:

• Players making debut: 1991 = 192; 2011 = 239
• Position Players/Pitchers: 1991 = 92/100; 2011 = 107/132
• Earliest Debut: 1991 = Jeff Bagwell, Darryl Kile, Tony Scruggs, Mike Timlin (April 8, 1991); 2011 = Nathan Adcock, Brandon Belt, Tim Collins, Aaron Crow, Cedric Hunter, (March 31, 2011)
• Latest Debut: 1991 = Doug Lindsey (October 6, 1991); 2011 = Jarrod Parker (September 27, 2011)
• Youngest at time of Debut: 1991 = Ivan Rodriguez, (born November 27, 1971, or 19 years, 205 days old); 2011 = Mike Trout (August 7, 1991, or 19 years, 335 days old)
• Oldest at time of Debut: 1991 = Jose Escobar (October 30, 1960, or 30 years, 165 days old); 2011 = Yoshinori Tateyama (December 26, 1975, or 35 years, 149 days old)
• Shortest Career (1 Game only): 1991 = Jeff Banister (one plate appearance, one hit, ended his career with a perfect 1.000 batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and an OPS of 2.000); 2011 = Rafael Dolis, Eric Farris, Steve Garrison, Alan Johnson, Darin Mastroianni, Jarrod Parker, and Elih Villanueva each have only one MLB game under their belt (Farris has one at-bat, Garrison pitched in 2/3 of an inning).
• Longest Career, Seasons: 1991 = Ivan Rodriguez and Jim Thome (21 seasons each, Arthur Rhodes is next with 20, but pitched in 2011); 2011 = only time will tell.

Of the players from the debut class of 2011, just like in 1991, there could be some Hall of Fame candidates. Most may go on to All-Star caliber, or very long careers in the bigs. And for some, this may be their only year in the majors. But all of them can say that they achieved their dream of being a Major League Ballplayer.

And nothing can take that away from them.

I've clamored before about wanting to bring back the Major League Debut set. But I know in today's age of exclusive contracts and rookie card restrictions that a set of this type might never see the light of day again. And although I have a feeling that many collectors would not want to get a set that might have stars but plenty of "never will be's" amongst them, a set like this could contain the only card of a player who played in one inning of major league ball.

1992 Topps MLB Debut '91 Jeff Banister #8

At least Jeff Banister has a card in the 1992 set. Who knows what the future will bring for the 239 players who first appeared in 2011. Most might never play in the majors again, disappearing in the obscurity of minor league baseball for the rest of their professional careers. A set like this would give them a slim piece of cardboard immortality.

Oh well, I can dream, can't I???

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

P.S. Later on this week, I will post my picks as to who I think will make the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie team. There will be a contest involved. Details to come soon. jba

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #303 Dan Plesac

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, October 2, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #303.
• Player Name, position, team: Dan Plesac, pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers.
• Major League Debut: April 11, 1986.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Brewers): 45 G, 92.1 IP, 2-7, 49 R, 44 ER, 61 SO, 39 BB, 10 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 8 SV, 4.29 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Brewers 1st, June 1983. Traded by the Phillies to the Reds 12/05/1983. Bats: left, Throws: left.
• Any special information about this specific card: Plesac's seventh regular Topps (total includes regular and traded cards only). I've extolled the reasons why I love the 1992 Topps set and design many times, but, boy do these cards look great when done horizontally. Although headshots in this format are typically a bad idea, this one, with Plesac looking up at the heavens as he's making a throw, is fine as it focuses can be shifted to his arm as he's making the throw. By this time, Dan Plesac, the Brewers closer, was a three-time All-Star who was now being asked to be a spot starter (he started ten games the year before) and middle reliever (the role now being given to Doug Henry). This would be his final season with the Brewers as in December, 1992, Plesac signed with the Cubs as a free agent, sending him down the I-94 to the NL for the first time. After his two year stint as a Cub, he would go on to play for the Pirates (1995-1996), Blue Jays (1997-1999, 2001-2002), Diamondbacks (1999-2000), and finish his career with the Phillies (2002-2003). If you are looking for any Topps cards of Dan Plesac in a Pirates or Blue Jays uniform...forget it. Between 1994 and 2001, he does not appear in any of Topps' eponymous sets. None. And once again, that's a shame.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.
• How many cards of each player do I own?: 15 cards.

Tomorrow is Retro Sunday, the one day of the week that we feature a card from 1951-1975. The card we will feature tomorrow is: 1958 Topps #349. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #275 Todd Zeile

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Thursday, September 23, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #275.
• Player Name, position, team: Todd Zeile, third baseman, St. Louis.
• Major League Debut: August 18, 1989.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Cardinals): 155 G, 565 AB, 76 R, 158 H, 36 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 81 RBI, 17 SB, .412 SLG, 62 BB, 94 SO, .280 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Cardinals #3rd, June 1986. Bats: right, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Zeile's third regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only, not counting his 1990 Topps '89 MLB Debut card). In 1990, Topps added Zeile to it's five-card Future Stars subset. They deemed him the Cardinals brightest prospect, and for a while, he looked like he would be. Originally a catcher, he was moved to third base (not something he wanted to do apparently), and became a defensive liability. His hitting was decent, but the power that he was expected to provide wasn't there. And after seven years with the Cardinals, he began his journeyman career. He would wind up playing for eleven teams in his sixteen year career. Some may call him a bust, but when a man plays for sixteen years in the bigs, it is an uncalled for label. At the back of his card, below the statistics is a blurb that mentions a 10th Inning home run that Zeile hit, giving the Cards a 6-5 win on 08/03/1991 against the Pirates. Below the blurb is a beautiful colored (yes, colored...the cards were printed on white card stock for the first time in decades), picture of what is now referred to as old Busch Stadium.
• Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 24 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1986 Topps #447. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Until tomorrow everybody.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #757 Rob Dibble

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, September 4, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #757.
• Player Name, position, team: Rob Dibble, pitcher, Cincinnati Reds.
• Major League Debut: June 29, 1988.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Reds): 67 G, 82.1 IP, 3-5, 32 R, 29 ER, 124 SO, 25 BB, 0 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 31 SV, 3.17 ERA.
• Any special information about players: Drafted by the Reds #1st (Special) June, 1983. Bats: left, Throws: left.
• Any special information about this specific card: Dibble's fourth regular Topps (total includes regular and traded cards only). You know how cool this card is??? It's so cool that the image used for one of the sample cards introducing the 1992 Topps cards to the world (or the readers of Topps Magazine anyway). If the Reds had a lead late in the game, it was pretty much a guaranteed win as their bullpen rarely lost the game. One of the Reds' "Nasty Boys" (along with Randy Myers and Norm Charlton), Dibble was a set up man for the 1990 World Series Champs. He inherited the closer's job in 1991 and there weren't many who were better in the NL that year. He was a two-time All-Star for the Reds (in both 1990 and 1991 and was a reliable, albeit, extremely temperamental pitcher (stories are legendary, will not be repeated here as it's a family blog). Arm trouble caused him to miss the entire 1994 season. He tried once again in 1995 with both the Brewers and the White Sox, but he just didn't the same success as he did with Cincinnati. He signed on with the Cubs and Marlins, but never got into a game with either club. He called it a career for good and soon after joined ESPN as one of it's baseball analysts. He can now be seen and heard in a number of baseball shows, whether it be on the TV (Fox), or on satellite radio. The back of Dibble's card, which is now easy to read with it's white card stock, has a panoramic picture of the outside of Riverfront Stadium. The bio above the picture reads that in achieving his 23rd save in 23 opportunities (in a 1-0 win at Houston 07/05/1991), he tied a MLB record set by former Red John Franco in 1988.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of each player do I own?: 9 cards.

Tomorrow is Retro Sunday, the one day of the week that we feature a card from 1951-1975. The card we will feature tomorrow is: 1962 Topps #374. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #5 Dave Winfield 1991 Record Breaker

We reset the Topps Card Randomizer to come up with seven new cards to present for this week. Introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, August 23, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #5.
• Player Name, position, team: Dave Winfield, outfielder, California Angels.
• Special: 1991 Record Breaker.
• Any special information about this specific card: Unlike in past years, Topps doesn't add the record the future Hall of Famer broke. And that's fine. Too much text would have detracted from the picture on the card. All the fun details about what he did is on the back (and is why people should get back in the habit of reading the backs of their cards). The teaser line reads, "He Shows the Youngsters How to Do It" and the main headline (in big bold pink letters...pink???), "Winfield Becomes Oldest to Cycle in Baseball History." On 06/24/1991, Winfield's Angels took on the Kansas City Royals. Batting fourth that day, and playing in right, Winfield went 5-5 with scored three runs, and drove in three more in a 9-4 win. Dave singled in the first inning, doubled to lead off the third, homered with a man on in the fifth, hit another single in the sixth, and finally cruised into third leading off the eighth inning. At the age of 39, he "surpassed the Pirates Honus Wagner (08/22/1912) and Chris Speier (07/09/1988), who were both 38 years of age when achieving the feat."
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1998 Topps #18. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. See you then.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

For Those Wondering Where I've Been...

I've been on vacation, and apparently did not set the Random Card of the Day posts properly while I've been out. That will be rectified this weekend. Hopefully.

When things go back to normal, here are a couple of the things I want to discuss on this humble, little blog:

• I went to the Schaumburg Flyers/Andre Dawson & Friends Celebrity Softball game on Wednesday, and have a number of pictures to post (have to sort through the blurry ones though). While I didn't get any autographs (lines were too long, and I don't really go for that kind of thing anyway), it was fun, and I want to share some comments about it when I get back.
• There seems to be a lot of Hobby related hatred lately. Why is that? Mike Mader, who runs the Topps Company's twitter account was hit with some criticism after he had suggested that there be some kind of forum at the National. The hatred (maybe the word is too harsh, but it's almost 3:00 in the morning, and I can't think straight right now) I've witnessed has been going on for a long time now, and it makes me wonder if there are people who really don't like what's happening in the Hobby, why even be in it??? I might be a bit naïve (okay, a lot naïve) when it comes to certain things related to the Hobby, but isn't what Mader is trying to suggest a good thing???
• And to continue with the "Hobby hatred," it seems that the blogosphere is all a-twitter (get it...) with the latest box break from the number one source of the hobby...to the point that it got pretty heated (from my vantage point) on the old "140 character" site. That will be discussed as well.
• Writing this blog has been a journey, and I received two e-mails from readers this week that I would like to share on here. Very positive stuff, not about what I write on this humble little blog, but about realizing what makes this Hobby of collecting great in general and the memories that the cards bring to people (which is kind of the point about collecting the stuff we do, isn't it???).

My vacation runs through the weekend and into the middle of next week, so I am sorry for the lack of posts lately. A lot of things have been going on (not bad at all...good things...) personally, so I've been focusing on that. Again, when life gets back to normal (depending on your definition of normal), I'll be posting again on a regular basis.

In the mean time, if you want to see the cards that the Topps Card Randomizer picked for this week, here you go:


The pictures have already been saved, it's just a matter of getting the posts in. I'll try and catch up during the vacation (which actually started last Saturday...) and be back with abandon by the middle of next week. Take care all.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps #396 Lee Smith NL All-Star Relief Pitcher

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Wednesday, July 28, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps #396.
• Player Name, position, team: Lee Smith, All-Star Relief Pitcher, National League.
• Any special information about this specific card: Since 1991 was seen as one of Lee Smith's best season in the majors, Smith's 1992 Topps All-Star card reflects his dominance as a closer for the Cardinals. The back of the card is split into two sections. The section on the right mentions that his 46th save of the year (he finished with 47) broke Bruce Sutter's NL save record. The section on the left lists the 1991 NL League Leaders in Saves, with Smith's 47 good enough to lead the league (just behind him were Rob Dibble (31), John Franco & Mitch Williams (30), and Dave Righetti (24)). As Sutter is now in the Hall of Fame, and as recent Hall of Famer Andre Dawson said in his induction speech, Smith should be in the Hall as well. Today being the 28th, I'm taking my family to see Andre Dawson and Friends (including the aforementioned Lee Smith and Bruce Sutter) in a celebrity softball game at Alexian Fields in Schaumburg. It should be fun. I hope to have pictures and notes on the game up on the blog soon.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.

Tomorrow's card will be: Thursday: 1997 Topps #242. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps Traded #65T Pat Listach

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, July 2, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1988 Topps #735.
• Player Name, position, team: Pat Listach, second baseman-shortstop, Milwaukee Brewers.
• Major League Debut: April 8, 1992.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Denver-AAA): 89 G, 286 AB, 51 R, 72 H, 10 WB, 4 3B, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 23 SB, .325 SLG, 45 BB, 67 SO, .252 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Brewers #2nd, June 1988. Bats: both, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Listach's first (rookie) regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only). When Topps began printing their base sets using white cardboard, it began the blur between distinguishing the regular cards from teh traded ones. The pictures became brighter, the designs bolder, and in the case of the 1992 set, this was a great change. I love how the frame is actually INSIDE the picture, adn the colors of the name and team plate below are appropriate. For quite a while, I had been playing with the mini version of the set (Topps created extremely small cards based on the 1991-1993 cards and sold them in factory set form). By the time I came back to work on my regular set, the cards looked HUGE!!! Listach made his big league debut in 1992 as a pinch runner on April 8, 1992. He scored a run in the Brewers 9-5 win over the Twins. Below the statistics and the little blurb about his debut is a beautiful panoramic shot of Milwaukee County Stadium. Listach would go on to have a terrific campaign, one which leads to him winning the 1992 AL Rookie of the Year award. Although he would have a brief career (his MLB playing days ended in 1997), he would go on to manage in the Cubs' minor league system (named Manager of the Year for the PCL in 2008), and is presently the third base coach for your Washington Nationals.
• Beckett value: $0.15-$0.40.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 6 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1998 Topps #393. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps Traded #76T Mike Morgan

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, February 12, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps Traded #76T.
• Player Name, position, team: Mike Morgan, pitcher, Chicago Cubs.
• Major League Debut: June 11, 1978.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Dodgers): 34 G, 236.1 IP, 14-10, 85 R, 73 ER, 140 SO, 61 BB, 33 GS, 5 CG, 1 SHO, 1 SV, 2.78 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by Athletics #1st, June 1978. Signed by the Cubs as a Free Agent 12/03/1991. Bats: right, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Morgan's fourteenth regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded Topps cards). I love the 1992 Topps design. So simple, yet colorful. The two team-colored borders, the player's name and team name in separate boxes. Just a beautiful design. I also have the 1992 Topps Micro set, and for a while, spent more time with that set than the regular one. By the time my fascination with micro cards ended, and I returned my focus on the regular sized cards, the cards looked huge. Finally, a Cubs card!!! Halfway through his long career in the majors (1978-2002), and already a member of six teams, Morgan found his way to the Cubs. He played for four seasons with the team (he came back in 1998 for the stretch drive...but didn't fare too well). He was fresh off his lone All-Star Game appearance, and had a better season in 1992, teaming up with Greg Maddux to form that one-two punch in the starting rotation the Cubs hadn't seen since 1989. The blurb on the back notes two major achievements, both with the Dodgers: his first 9-strikeout performance 05/15/1989 and his first ML two-hitter 07/30/1990. Talk about stretching to find two of his best games to date.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 21 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1976 Topps #218. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Join us then, won't you?

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1992 Topps Traded #101T Dick Schofield

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, January 15, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1992 Topps Traded #101T.
• Player Name, position, team: Dick Schofield, shortstop, New York Mets.
• Major League Debut: September 8, 1983.
• ast Line of Statistics: 1991 stats (Angels): 134 G, 427 AB, 44 R, 96 H, 9 2B, 3 3B, 0 HR, 31 RBI, 8 SB, .260 SLG, 50 BB, 69 SO, .225 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by Angels #1st, June 1981. Traded by the Angels to the Mets 04/12/1992. Bats: right, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Schofield's tenth regular Topps card (total includes both Topps and Topps Traded cards). The long-time Angels shortstop found his way to New York via a trade three games into the 1992 season. The back of the card shows Schofield's career numbers with the Angels at that point (he came back to the Angels later in his career). The back of the card shows a color panoramic view of Shea Stadium. This is the third Mets card in a row that the randomizer has picked. This should make the girls at Dinged Corners (or at least any Mets fan) happy.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 15 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1981 Topps #443. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Join us then, won't you? Maybe if this keeps up, we'll change the name of this segment to the Random Mets card of the day (although I think somebody else has a blog for Mets cards).

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama