For a brief amount of time last year, the 2 sports cards stores in my town (yes, 2, in the '20s no less) were closed. And, to keep paying the bills, they unloaded some product in ways that, even now, I don't quite understand. But these items somehow filtered down to the parks department. (This is not unique: a dance studio which had to close unloaded boxes of generic trophies. Kind of like when Arthur Carlson sent Dolly Parton wigs to victims of the earthquake in Guatemala.)
These items, baseball cards, are one of the objects being used as "prizes" for the stinkos doing such advanced things as "listening," "doing what I asked you to do," "stopping that," etc. When shown to me, the Big Scoop herself was excited:
"Look what I got! The counselor said one of them another kid got was worth $50!" I had to do some real looking here at what was received. What was the name of that magazine that showed the prices for cards? Do you remember that? Does anyone remember that?
A quick grab from a box of Fleer Ultra's 1994 set provided the following gifts (and the reflective foil is a bitch for photos, scans, etc)
Richie spent 7 seasons bouncing around the majors. Spent 3 years in Florida. 4.88 career ERA.
One of those guys whose name I remembered after some reference, Smiley was a 2 time all star. In 1991 he was a top 3 guy for the Cy Young. Following a World Series victory, Minnesota got him for 1992. He went 16-9 with a 3.20 ERA...and off he went to Cincinnati.
Bob was a backup catcher for 5 years, 4 in Florida. The back of the card shows him in a teal chest protector. Can say he played for the Expos.
Armando had played in a handful of games in the majors in 91 and 92, but 93 was considered his official rookie year. (I still don't get how that works - Nando played for the Dodge in 1980, but I guess not enough because he was a "rookie" in 1981). A member of the starting rotation for 3 different clubs.
Not sure if Rick lost this one in the sun or not. The definition of a journeyman catcher, Rick started his career with the Cubs then went on to 7 other teams. Had some great years with the Cubs.
There were 2 "names" in the stack of cards - how were they doing in 1994?
Is the drug charge in the mid-80s the only thing keeping Willie from the Hall of Fame?
Kevin's 1994, cut short of the strike, was looking to be as good as the year before: batting over .300, and had over 100 hits. What could have been, since the Reds were in 1st place at the time of the strike. Don't make him angry.
Looking through the stack again (and those I didn't scan) I wonder if this was a curated selection or if the Comic Book Guy just grabbed a pinch of 'em and considered it a tax-deductible donation.
Alas, the season starts this week, with pockets of fans in the stands, some travel, some hope. As we begin, a reminder that the Dodgers are reigning World Champions.
