Sveum 'Stache

Current Cubs manager rocking a serious 'stache back in '87 Topps. He could probably grow it out like that now, but not the hair. 

Stadium Club

I wish I had more Topps Stadium Club cards because these were really sharp. '92.

The faces of Mattingly

I have a ton of Mattingly cards and its interesting to see the various lengths and style of his mustache, hair, etc. from year to year. He looks like a different person for Donruss between '85 and '86.

Smile Roger

It appears that between 1985 and 1987 Topps had a hard time catching an action shot of Roger Clemens. I think he pitched a few times during that stretch.

Nice hat

'92 Upper Deck. Barry looks like someone from the 19th century between the hat and mustache. 

Now this is hard to do...

...make Bo Jackson look un-athletic. '91 Topps manages to do it. 

McGwire and Mattingly

The combination of McGwire's massive power numbers and Mattingly's back problems made Mark the more popular figure by the early '90's, but for a while they were the best of the best at first base. Today they are both on the staff of the Dodgers.

Griffey Horizontal Part 2

I like this Upper Deck '92 attempt on a horizontal card. This kind of thing was revolutionary back then. 

Rickey with a hint of religion

Look closely and you can see a cross pin (I assume) on Rickey's hat within the Y. From '89 Upper Deck. 

Who is this skinny dude?

'87 Topps. I like the yellow helmet. 

Bo fits the suit

Bo Jackson's physicality is pretty evident in this '91 Upper Deck edition. His pitching pose on the back of the card is a reminder that he probably could have been good at that too. 

Griffey horizontal card

This is a little artsy for Topps '92. Lots of blank space. Would be good for an autograph. It's just not as cool as they probably thought it would be, for some reason. Would have been better with someone trying to put down a tag on him. I like the inclusion of the Kingdome on the back. Although it definitely wasn't a pretty structure. Still, I saw my first MLB game there. 

Justice cool

This shot of Dave Justice on the back of his '91 Upper Deck card gives an air of casual confidence. The way his hat is tilted back, crooked smile and the way his uniform fits makes it look like the game is easy for him. 

Hey Mark, this is my card

Kirby Puckett with a cameo by McGwire. Nice try Mark.

'89 Upper Deck. 

One more skipper

I've officially reached a certain age when several of the players I used to collect are now managers. 

A couple of my favorites for Robin Ventura. He looks like Shoeless Joe in the Topps '91 (right).

Speaking of managers

Congrats to Ryne Sandberg on his interim position with the Phillies. In looking through my Sandberg cards, they were all pretty boring (standard batting stance photos). These two at least showed some variety; '85 Topps and '90 Upper Deck.

Lets begin with Donnie Baseball...

My favorite player as a kid. A Yankee great, but what could have been had he stayed healthy. Doing great things as Dodgers manager, to be sure.

This '88 Fleer card is one of my favorites and showcases Mattingly in his prime. Just look at the stats (and how about the day/night/etc numbers).