Advertise on podcast: 1988 Topps

For this Florida native, 100% of his career hits as a Met were game-winning doubles with 9-year-old Mark Simon in the stands. Mark joins the pod to tell us the story!  Card 169 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/1394/1988-topps-tiffany-169-ross-jones_96618635 88 Topps Blog - https://88topps.blogspot.com/2008/02/169-ross-jones.html Mark Simon’s Journalism Salute Podcast - https://marksimonsports.com/journalism-podcast/ Mark’s 1986 Mets Rewatch newsletter - https://1986-mets-rewatch.beehiiv.com/  Rising Apple interview - https://risingapple.com/2021/10/30/ny-mets-ross-jones-exciting-time/ Ross Jones IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0429182/

The 1980's were a big time for guys with 2 first names: Elton John, Billy Joel, Juan Samuel? Card 398 on eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/286511994193 Card 705 on Fanatics Collect - https://www.fanaticscollect.com/buy-now/4f356043-1344-4d98-99af-0056e04ae582 Hall of Fame Card Corner - https://baseballhall.org/discover/card-corner/1988-fleer-juan-samuel SABR Bio by Thomas J Brown Jr. - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/juan-samuel  Baseball Card Snark on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/baseball.card.snark/  Harry Kalas narrating Juan’s Highlights - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1171137844119983 1984-87 2B WAR leaders - https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/AoaDi  1989 NY Times article about Juan - https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/15/sports/samuel-is-making-an-impact.html  Juan Interviewed on the Dirt Podcast - https://youtu.be/8a4MHn8dhNM?si=9XCLe9QeCUNkjMx6 

This Team USA standout won a gold medal, played baseball in five countries, married a cheerleader, and became a stock broker. No chagrin to be found. Card #130T on ebay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/197023560084 Randy from PeeWee’s playhouse - https://youtu.be/tjlFMKQ2UiE?si=Y4p1gSbTuK2tP-QM  Greatest 21 Days blog about Traxler - https://www.greatest21days.com/2025/10/brian-traxler-took-fundamentals-to-9.html Greatest 21 Days blog about Wood - https://www.greatest21days.com/2020/04/ted-wood-added-strength-in-minors.html Ted Wood SABR bio by Rory Costello - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Ted-Wood/  Chagrin Falls by the Tragically Hip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40zlzmXvkpw

CAUTION: Sliding headfirst can lead to broken bones ... and marriages?? Card 441 on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/1988-Topps-Baseball-Card-Manning/dp/B00JE215JA SABR Bio by Kelly Boyer Sagert: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Rick-Manning/  Rex Manning Day! https://youtu.be/gf3MsD5FCug?si=r1ibnaojiUppE4CB  Eck Throws Shade at Rick: https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/94es0c/dennis_eckersley_throws_shade_at_former_teammate/  The 1978 Cleveland Indians: https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2023/12/11/23996213/75-years-and-counting-the-story-of-the-1978-cleveland-indians  Rick Catches the final out of Len Barker’s Perfecto: https://youtu.be/tvnkj8sbpVg?si=67kBJnhmX-ttdC0W  The Baseball Bug: https://www.milb.com/news/baseball-bug-x6063  Robin Yount moves to Centerfield: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1b4mm4KgRD/ Rick robs a home run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S31r1jN6Lm4

This tough Texan was a two-time MLB All-Star, but will forever be a Superstar. Card 113 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/cardgallery_900/item/1988-topps-113-kelly-gruber_31263128 SABR Bio by Mark Davis - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/kelly-gruber/  Inside the Fog Home Run - https://youtu.be/zNANPZgcZGc?si=1gbwYaLVa7ay9A-G Kelly with the First Blue Jays Cycle - https://youtu.be/_sgfrVqQ4EQ?si=PAO3kHtiyA6tJRZG Kelly on Superstars - https://mopupduty.com/blast-from-the-past-kelly-gruber/ Kids in the Hall reference Kelly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzjJ27yaeyI  Kelly hits an ALCS Homer - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3113518208760610 A World Series Triple Play…or was it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4MO4v5-zPU Kelly made the tag - https://ik.imagekit.io/mopupduty/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/gruber-triple-play.jpg  World Series HOmer - https://www.mlb.com/video/gruber-s-game-tying-homer-c31116859?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share World Series face plant - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBvnmgeOmo0 Kelly interviewed after he was traded - ​​ https://youtu.be/Msw8Zn0a__E?si=8it0-ezlQ7mbtlxR Kelly is rude in 2018 - https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/kelly-gruber-innappropriate-comments-1.4708196  Kelly interview in Athletic - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/392391/2018/06/14/20-questions-with-former-blue-jay-kelly-gruber-on-singing-water-skis-and-an-old-stance-he-just-will-not-surrender/

If your minor league manager tells you you're getting sent on the next plane down to Kinston, check the ticket before you get too upset. Card 576 on Beckett -  https://www.beckett.com/baseball/1988/topps-tiffany/576-tommy-hinzo-3915837 1989 LA Times -​​ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-16-sp-1810-story.html Tommy on Brett Davis Unleashed - https://www.facebook.com/IQPodcasts/photos/a.116370870008228/129760832002565/

"A rolling stone gathers no moss" is a clever proverb credited to Erasmus, but we like the modern version: "Minor league pitchers should not cancel their apartment leases mid-season" Card 643 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/21/1988-topps-643-rocky-childress_26981142 Greatest 21 Days - https://www.greatest21days.com/2010/02/rocky-childress-back-to-bend-354.html?m=0 Halifax Explosion at the Maritime Museum - https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/vincent-coleman-and-halifax-explosion  Canadian Heritage Minute -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw-FbwmzPKo  Rappin Rodney - https://youtu.be/mWTKhQzQl1A?si=LTXJW4ln36-f5JGS Sunset Plumbing Videos - https://www.youtube.com/@sunsetplumbingofbend6859

This Hall of Famer is emphatically NOT the pride of Vermont, but he is one of our host's all-time favorites. Card #385 on Beckett -  https://marketplace.beckett.com/ziggys_672/item/1988-topps-385-carlton-fisk_32570197 Card #321 on Amazon -  https://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Topps-White-Leaders-NM-MT/dp/B0F561QTDT SABR Bio by Brian Stevens - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/carlton-fisk/  Fisk vs Deion article - https://andscape.com/features/deion-sanders-carlton-fisk-fight-yankee-stadium/ Fisk in the National Portrait Gallery - https://npg.si.edu/blog/carlton-fisk-tough-guy Fisk’s page at the Hall of Fame - https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/fisk-carlton  1991 Topps Fisk Card - https://lifetimetopps.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/1991-topps-best-action-fisk.jpg  Fisk Hall of Fame speech, all 37 minutes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUjfOUy5jnw That Home Run, you know the one - https://www.mlb.com/video/top-postseason-hrs-carlton-fisk?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share  How a Rat led to that iconic waving shot - https://youtu.be/eMtFUN6vXug?si=MgTIQBT1_9Qrion1 1981 White Sox Opening Day at Fenway - https://www.mlb.com/video/fisk-s-opening-day-monster-homer-c63708483?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share  Fisk makes a bang bang double play - https://www.mlb.com/video/running-it-back-to-a-crazy-play-at-the-plate?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share  Fisk and Deion squabble - https://www.mlb.com/video/fisk-s-confrontation-with-deion?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share  1991 All-Star Game Pudge makes a tag - https://www.mlb.com/video/fielder-throws-out-clark-at-home-c530298483?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share

Some lessons, like "Don't foul the ball off your own eye," have to be learned the hard way. Card 428 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/threestarssportscards_925/item/1988-topps-428-john-shelby_43464379 Briggs Card Company on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586280361464  Sarasota Magazine Interview with Shelby - https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2024/03/john-shelby-mlb  SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/john-shelby/  Shelby with a World Series RBI - https://youtu.be/N9g21AxcbGg?si=xgDfquia5OxpzzCK&t=5969  Shelby Robs Fisk - https://www.mlb.com/video/shelby-robs-fisk-of-extra-bases-c37202907?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share Shelby catches the final out 1988 NLCS Game 4 -  https://www.mlb.com/video/shelby-catches-final-out-c25631733?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share  Shelby catches the final out of 1988 NLCS Game 5 - https://www.mlb.com/video/shelby-s-catch-ends-game-5-c494898583?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share Shelby vs Clemens - https://youtu.be/zMJ3lXj-thA?si=m48TpfssEvfa8HuR Shelby vs Frazier Standoff! https://youtu.be/jKQ66Ghuthw?si=Ndjp8wbjOtM8ss-o 

When this speedster was in his prime, there were fireworks every time he was on base.  It's Episode 250! Thank you for listening!  Card #260 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/bigmacsportscards_709/item/1988-topps-260-vince-coleman_21227922 Card #1 on Beckett -  https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/900/1988-topps-1-vince-coleman-rb_31263029 SABR Bio by Zac Petrillo - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/vince-coleman/ The Tarp eats Vince - https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/35-years-ago-the-day-the-tarp-ate-vince-coleman/article_5e47b555-a52b-5106-9d17-58b5303ca0f5.html?mode=nowapp  Vince MLB’s most exciting player - https://www.mlb.com/news/vince-coleman-mlb-most-exciting-player-one-season  Vince Beats Miami on the gridiron - https://x.com/Stitch_Head/status/1643482155962753025?s=20  Inside the Park Vince - https://youtu.be/Xs2wZ5JY6qU?si=a7m1AuenH9Qsr-u9  https://sqdc.st/s/yimYv2x 7 minutes of pickoffs - https://www.mlb.com/video/chris-welsh-s-17-pickoff-attempts?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share  8 minutes of RBI Vince - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0j5hbY5id8

This left-hander turned his 1989 NL Cy Young into a fat contract worth 13 million packs of Phillies' Franks. Card #482 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/cardinvestors_1277/item/1988-topps-482-mark-davis_86912470 Hall of Fame Card Corner for this card: https://baseballhall.org/discover/cardcorner-1988-topps-mark-davis  A Sad $13 Million Man - https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-08-sp-781-story.html  SABR Article about Mark’s First Win: https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-30-1983-mark-davis-earns-first-win-for-giants-with-shutout-of-rival-dodgers/  Hot Dog ad: https://youtu.be/dOfFdykWS5M?si=p4XKfvZfqW2nuNqe  Mark in the 1989 All Star Game: https://youtu.be/g8SErfKgyFo?si=VR79KEnGXi8eI9UU&t=7711 

This 6-time Gold Glover caught everything, whether it was drive to the gap in right or a great deal at Taco Bell! Card #424 on Beckett -  https://marketplace.beckett.com/threestarssportscards_925/item/1988-topps-424-dwayne-murphy_43464375 SABR Bio by Dan Schoenholz - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/dwayne-murphy/ Hall of Fame Card Corner - https://baseballhall.org/discover/cardcorner-1988-donruss-dwayne-murphy  Archived article about Hammer lawsuit - https://web.archive.org/web/20070817071129/http://www.millslawfirm.com/media-15.html 1982 Topps Blog post about Dwayne- https://1982topps.blogspot.com/2014/04/card-29-dwayne-murphy.html Dwayne the Football coach - https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-25-sp-8439-story.html Mark Langston on Sabrina - https://bsky.app/profile/1988toppspodcast.bsky.social/post/3ma4swh2gfc2p  DUAAAAANE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI-aDjb2sAA  Murphy and Norris Gold Gloves - https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/mike-norris-and-dwayne-murphy-of-the-oakland-athletics-news-photo/1125839394  1980 A’s season in Review - https://youtu.be/hWcYNNgef50?si=r7VRX_mc9NwKpJqi&t=923  1981 Taco Bell Commercial - https://youtu.be/bdAeBULUbI8?si=fkAuHGwPJVMJZDHA Klingon Pop Warrior on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheKlingonPopWarriorjenbom 

The 1952 classic, "Botch-a-me," by Rosemary Clooney, is a play on "Bacia me" which means "kiss me" in Italian. It has nothing to do with a guy named Butch. Card #737 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/hooplasportscards_1082/item/1988-topps-737-butch-wynegar_82605424 Hall of Fame Card Corner - https://baseballhall.org/discover/cardcorner-1978-topps-butch-wynegar SABR Article about Butch’s big year - https://sabr.org/journal/article/butch-wynegar-from-single-a-to-the-major-league-all-star-game-in-one-year/ 1986 Article about Butch leaving NY - https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/08/04/New-York-Yankees-catcher-Butch-Wynegar-who-left-the/9117523512000/ BP interview with Butch - https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/8101/prospectus-qa-butch-wynegar/  Minor League Interview - https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-350176 Twins Daily article about Early Butch - https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/70808-butch-wynegar-had-an-incredible-two-year-start-to-a-13-year-career/  Opening Day Homer - https://youtu.be/EV5g8PD7-Us?si=KVjevlzyMeJV3qF8 Twins, Yankees, Angels

This "dandy little glove man" is one of only 15 players in MLB history to complete an unassisted triple play. Card  #71T on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/bigmacsportscards_709/item/1988-topps-traded-71t-mickey-morandini-oly-xrc_32209640 88 Topps Blog - https://88topps.blogspot.com/2008/10/71t-mickey-morandini.html Buy us a coffee? https://buymeacoffee.com/1988toppspd  BallNine interview - https://ballnine.com/2023/03/09/mickey-morandini/  Mickey the Ace’s obstacle - https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/sports/baseball/baseball-aces-obstacle-on-way-to-hall-of-fame-mickey-morandini-a-268-hitter.html  Mickey’s high School Coach interviewed - https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/hsother/2020/04/15/mickey-morandini-bob-oberdorf-leechburg-blue-devils-philadelphia-phillies-chicago-cubs-toronto-blue-jays-wpial-baseball/stories/202004150028  Tony Lucadello SABR Bio - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/tony-lucadello/  Mickey’s Unassisted triple play - https://www.mlb.com/video/morandini-turns-triple-play-c26319797  Mickey hits a NLCS Triple off Maddux - https://www.mlb.com/video/morandini-s-two-run-triple-c31254281?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share  Mickey hit in the head with a Blauser throw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW1Oa9ISIrk

While this veteran hurler threw righty, lefty, starter, reliever, and closer, there was one jam he couldn't get out of: 1988 Topps Picture Day.  Card #369 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/709/1988-topps-369-greg-harris_21228031 SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/greg-a-harris/ Bob Brittain cards on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TTMBob64  Switch Pitcher article from Hall of Fame - https://baseballhall.org/discover/switch-pitchers-caught-a-piece-of-history  1981 Tides card - https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/434/1981-tidewater-tides-tcma-23-greg-harris_31782349  Greg pitches ambidextrously! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ozn8kaTTU  Greg and Venditte - https://wpln.org/post/a-switch-pitcher-the-nashville-sounds-have-one-and-his-6-fingered-glove-is-awesome/