Wanted! - 1983 Topps

Percent Completed: 98.7%

Red indicates pending trade...

#	Player		#	Player		#	Player
36	Rollie Fingers SV		509	Lou Whitaker		600	George Brett
40	Fernando Valenzuela		530	Eddie Murray		610	Steve Garvey
51	Cubs Leaders		550	Carl Yastrzemski		651	Angels Leaders
215	Mario Soto		580	Tom Seaver		760	Dale Murphy
245	Steve Sax

Name the Game - 1983 Topps Phil Garner

It has been a long time since I've named a game, so let's give it a go!  Today's entry is a fabulous Phil Garner card from the ever-loved 1983 Topps set.  It is also the first game I've named that featured two players will awesome nicknames: Bad Dude and Scrap Iron.

Bad Dude (aka John Stearns) was a "speedster" catcher that played every game of his 11 year career for the New York Mets, save for his debut game with the Philadelphia Phillies. Growing up, Stearns was known to me because from 1978 to 1982 he held the record for most stolen bases by a catcher in a single season (25).  This record was obliterated in 1982 by John Wathan who stole 36 bases.  So, I find it very appropriate that today's Name the Game card features Stearns stealing a base.

As for the other cool mustachioed cat, that's Scrap Iron (aka Phil Garner).  Garner earned his nickname for his style of play, and Stearns earned the Bad Dude handle from his early football days.

Looking at Garner's card, we can tell this game is played at Shea Stadium between the visiting Houston Astros and the New York Mets.  What I absolutely love about this card is that both Garner and Stearns are looking at the second base ump to find out if Stearns stole a bag or was caught stealing by Alan Ashby's "cannon."  Considering Ashby only caught 19% of the base runners stealing in 1982, it's no surprise that Stearns is safe.

This is verified by the second base ump's outstretched right arm.  Well, given all this photographic evidence, I found that Stearns only stole one base at home against the Astros in 1982.  This game was the front end of a double header on May 30, 1982.  Man, I sure do miss the old double dips of old.  I remember going to double headers back in San Diego where we'd watch the first game, then the Beach Boys would play a concert and then we'd watch the second game.  Good times...

So, we know the date, May 30, 1982.  Review of the box score shows that this play took place in the bottom of the 2nd.  Prior to this play, Steans had been hit by a pitch from Mike LaCoss, so I guess Bad Dude was flashing his wheels to rub an extra base into LaCoss' ego.

And for you completists out that, the second base ump was Paul Runge!  Also, if you want me to Name a Game for a specific card, please leave a comment!

Cameo Cards - 1983 Topps Reggie Smith

This week’s Cameo Card comes from the ever-celebrated 1983 Topps edition.  Next to the back to back sets of 1975 and 1976, the 1983 set has got to be in my Top 3 of sets I own.  The fact the set has Tony Gwynn’s rookie card may play a large part in that standing, yet, I’ve always loved the color schemes and inlayed head shot.

Another great aspect of the 1983 Topps set is the action.  I like action on my baseball cards, however, I don’t like cards dedicated to action like those from the 1972 and 1982 Topps releases.  To me it pads a set, although it was likely necessary for 1982 because of the strike shortened season that reduced the number of call-ups who could have had 1982 base cards.

Anyways, back to cameo card…The card is the final edition for Reggie Smith after a long and distinguished 17 year career.  Reggie is often overlooked when putting on our rose-colored glasses.  Reggie put up fantastic numbers like his 314 round-trippers, 2,020 hits and .287 lifetime batting average.  He also wasn’t too shabby with the mitt, winning a Gold Glove and appearing in seven mid-Summer Classics.

Also featured on Smith’s card is a young, scrawny Ryne Sandberg (Is a Trifecta in play?).  I distinctly remember this card being sold at card shops and shows solely for the fact that Ryne Sandberg was in the photo.  I guess it’s the first Cameo Card I became aware of.

I researched the box scores, and couldn’t figure out when this game occurred.  Too many match ups between these two teams with both playing, as well as the fact that Sandberg could have been on-base due to a hit, a walk, an error, a fielder’s choice, etc., which made it impossible to Name the Game.

So all you Sandberg collectors out there, you might want to go land yourself a 1983 Topps Reggie Smith to round out your player collection!

Topps Cards That Never Were: 1983 Willie Stargell

I will take a break from my side project of a write-up on our favorite (ahem) card broker, Mr. Mint, and put up a card I made last week. This entry is dedicated to Pops aka Willie Stargell.

I do not recall much about Mr. Stargell, but I know I did see him come to Jack Murphy back in the early 80s or late 70s. Why do I remember this? The uniforms of course. Along with the Astros and Cardinal road unis, the Pirates uniforms are forever burned in my memory. Imagine, an entire field full of yellow and black (Pirates) and yellow and brown (Padres). Awesomeness to the max!

In my mind Willie had an awesome career. Great power and good average numbers. He was the backbone of the Pirates after the loss of Clemente, and I'm glad he won the (co-)MVP at the tail end of his career to go along with a second WS ring. I guess he had the Orioles number, as he's 17 for 54 against them in WS play.

Stargell was inducted in the Hall in 1988 and sadly passed away in 2001 from complications of a stroke. He is also part of the all century team.

Also, apparently he preferred the name Wilver to Willie, so much so that some of his autographs bear this name, and was called so by Vin Scully.

I cherish a 1965 Topps card I have of him that I found blantantly discarded in the dollar bin (I've found so many 60s-70s HOFers in single bins it is unbelievable).

Willie was also pontificated with the best (ala Yogi):

• "The (umpire) says 'play' ball, not 'work' ball."
• "Trying to hit Sandy Koufax was like trying to drink coffee with a fork."
• "Throwing a knuckleball for a strike is like throwing a butterfly with hiccups across the street into your neighbor's mailbox."
• "They give you a round bat and they throw you a round ball and they tell you to hit it square."
  
• (After winning a game in 1979 against the Cincinnati Reds with a pinch RBI single after a disputed check-swing call) "Maybe it was this black bat I used. Or this black shirt or my black arms that made the Reds think they saw something."

Without further rambling...

My eyes!

Here are Pops' stats from 1982:

YEAR	CLUB	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG
1982	Pirates	74	73	6	17	4	0	3	17	.233