Don't forget Leaf

For the most part I avoided Leaf cards in my collecting days. However, this '91 design was better than most, and this Mattingly card is a favorite. I like the photo; his eyes visible only above the extended glove. Don't see many like it.

Stewart's eyes

Dave Stewart was one of the most intimidating players of his era. His piercing eyes under the brim of his cap are evident in this '87 Topps card. Also the green jersey really pops. 

Check the back

Having full color photos on the back of cards was just one way Upper Deck stood above the rest. I like looking at the backs of these cards. Often, in my opinion, the photo on the back was better than the one on the front. Here's an example of Sandberg. I like the effortless cool as he flips the ball and you can see it hanging in mid toss. Also the blue jersey and stripe down the pants look sharp.

Surf's up!

Always interesting to see a 'prop' used in card photos. It's pretty rare. I suppose the surf board makes sense being that he was playing in San Diego, but I wish he would have been more creative with it. 

Black & White with UFO

Fleer had a late '80's set with stickers for each team, which featured a stadium photo on the back. It must have been cheaper to use black and white photos of the stadiums. I have a Reds sticker with Riverfront Stadium on the back. Apparently this stadium photo was taken when a UFO was hovering overhead. I thought it might just be the card, but I actually have two of them with the same image. 

The Collector's Choice

1990 Upper Deck knew how to do a team checklist card. These paintings were great. I need one for my wall. 

Now that's a hitter

Wade Boggs knocked his 200th hit, for the 5th straight season, on this date in '87. Here is his '87 Topps card. You know he was serious about hitting if he wears batting gloves on both hands, even with a glove. 

Mattingly '85 Topps

It would be nice if Mattingly's success as a manager (Dodgers clinched division last night) added value to his cards because (like any good 80's collector) I have a lot of them. Here's another example of why I love '85 Topps. 

Some Bats are Bigger

This is an '88 Fleer card, clearly photographed at the '87 ASG. A little bit of a stretch to say these two were both "big bats." The back of the card highlights McGwire's rookie record of 49 HR's in '87. It also highlights the fact that Tabler hit 11 homers that season. So a combined 60 HR's between the two is pretty good. I hope Tabler saved this card.

Yogi in Houston

Yes, Yogi Berra was an Astros "leader" as featured here in another '87 Topps pointless, filler card.  Yogi was a coach in Houston from '86-'89. Given the years I was collecting this may be my only Yogi card (which is a stretch), unless I find a manager card. 

Rickey's slim fit jersey

'85 Topps is one of my favorite sets. I just like the look. I also liked the green jerseys that the A's wore. Notice the fit with Rickey. It's a little more snug than anyone would wear today, but he looks natural. 

Sid's shoulders

Shoulder pads were big in the '80's but Sid didn't need them. He looks like he could have played for the Football Giants.

'Perfect' card

I haven't actively collected cards in many years, but a card like this seems rare. Usually they will highlight All-Stars and record-breakers but do not highlight individual performances like a perfect game. At least not back in these days. '89 Fleer.

On a side note, September 16, 1988 is the anniversary of Browning's perfect game, so I was a day early on this post!

Big sluggers, Big stirrups

These thin stirrups look even thinner on big dogs like Davis and Parker. 

Big-headed dudes

The heads on these guys just don't look proportional to their bodies. 

Where'd the bat go?

I made a previous post regarding Fleer '89 and the fact that they cropped a photo of Frank Viola which made his pitching arm disappear. Well, they liked to do it with bats too. Check out these examples. Awful!

A different anniversary...

Today is a day to remember all those lost on September 11, 2001. 

On that same date in 1985 Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb's record for hits. In the '87 Topps set Pete had 2 cards. I believe this is his final Topps card as a player. His last official at-bat was in 1986. 

Bowman was big(ger)

I like the vintage look of these Bowman '89 cards (and this Griffey RC). However, the fact that they were larger vertically than standard cards made them difficult to store in traditional boxes or plastic pages. Still a classic, clean-looking card set. 

Nolan sells-out to Nike

The majority of cards that I have, and likely the majority overall, include a waist-up head shot. It's hard to get your shoes into the picture. Nolan Ryan finds a way in Fleer '88. I hope Nike showed him some love for it. 

'Turn Back...' Cards

Topps '87 included a random group of 'Turn back the clock' cards. Cards like these used to drive me nuts because they are clearly filler for a set. Hard to find  value in a card... which highlights another card. 

Pitchers or Accountants?

If I saw these guys together in the parking lot after this All Star Game I'd probably ask them to do my taxes. '88 Fleer. 

Short arm Viola

It seems like you'd want to crop the photo so the throwing arm doesn't disappear, but Fleer '89 gives Frank Viola a short arm delivery. 

Ironic cards

A pitcher in a batting stance and a DH with a glove. Irony abounds in these '88 Fleer examples. 

Psycho gloves

Steve Lyons and the "Psycho" batting gloves. Didn't quite get as much buzz as Bill Ripken's bat in the '89 Fleer set. 

Lou needs some vitamins

This is one of the worst photos I've seen in any set. The light/shadows make Lou look sickly and/or like Frankenstein. Another one from Topps '87.

2 cards from the same play

It looks like the Topps '87 camera person was able to get two cards out of one play. What do you think?