1988 Topps

This episode is as Chicago as a box full of sport peppers, deep dish pizza, House music, and bad Cubs general management decisions. Card 521 on Beckett SABR Bio by Tom Mank Chicago Magic Lounge The Magic of Paige Thompson Mascot Watch: Chairman Yam Southern Illinois University in 1970 Jim Dwyer Painted Cap World Series Home Run! Game 1, 1983

“Where does he sleep, where does he vote? Where does he go back to every night to watch movies? It boils down to that. And if that is any place in Chicago for an extended period of time, then he's a resident.” -- Former Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson Card 487 on Beckett SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin Greatest 21 Days, Jim Pankovits Night Owl Cards, Brush With Greatness Jim gets tossed, his...

We know Belgium has great waffles, chocolate, beer, and mussels. But did you know that it has baseball? Card #409 on ComC Follow-up: Scott Bankhead Gunslinger poster Joel McKeon's forkball Chicago Tribune story on Joel's illness AP story on Joel in Belgium

This unassuming Tar Heel spent 10 years in the majors and both played and coached for Team USA. An All-American card. Card 730 on Beckett SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin Softbank Hawks mascot attacked ! Appalachian State is HOT! HOT! HOT! Tony Rice, " Nine Pound Hammer " Scott Bankhead interview with USA Baseball

This week, the pod takes an uncomfortably long look at this dreamy pitcher and learns why it's very hard to say "Piscataway" while wearing bowties and briefs. Card 417 on Beckett Brewers Numerical History: #34 Mark's story on My Central Jersey "The Rookie" on MLB "Chippendale's Audition" from SNL Ski New Jersey!

Them's fightin' words. Card 330 on Beckett Stathead search: Best NL pitchers of 1989-1990 SABR Bio by Mike Huber SI: Billy's Biggest Brawl LA Times: Escape From New York Epic Padres/Braves fight on YouTube

Matt Flesch, director of the documentary "Last Comiskey," joins the show to talk about the reliever who saved everything in 1990 — except that historic ballpark. Card 613 on Beckett Watch " Last Comiskey " on YouTube Card 613 on 88 Topps Blog Follow-up: Pat Tabler MimsBandz Follow-up: Tommy Hutton's painted cap and suspicious moustache Bobby saves #57 White Sox/A's epic...

This backup infielder and long-time coach was only the second Japanese-American to play in MLB, paving the way for future greats. The extra "N" is for "Nice Glasses." Card 716 on Beckett SABR Bio by Rory Castello Feature on Lenn in Japan Ball ***CANDIDATE FOR BEST-LOOKING CARD OF THE 1980s*** 1981 Donruss Lenn Sakata Tippy Martinez picks off three runners in one inning, Lenn catches

Pop quiz: Who is the all-time leader in batting average with the bases loaded?  Meet Mr. Clutch. Card 230 on Beckett Card 118T on Beckett SABR Bio by Harry Schoger In Stock: Steve Jeltz Fan Club T-Shirt Info about Jeltz Autographs! The weird Rick Resuchel trade, explained Stathead Search: 100+ AB w/ bases loaded Pat Tabler leaving SportsNet NSFW: Nude Tim Tuefel art ?

Like his mentors Quiz and Teke, this reliever had high integrity and a low release point.  Card #378 on Beckett SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen 2023 Topps Series 1 on Forbes NY Times story on the Relief Room Wayne's World on YouTube Todd ejected after giving up slam  

The song from 1968 is catchy, but it doesn't really make sense, as Interstate Highway I-5 was built in 1964, and anyone born and raised in San Jose would know that's how you get to Los Angeles, and back.  Card #292 on Beckett SABR Bio by Joe Wancho Follow-up: How Unlucky Was Jose DeLeon ? Dionne Warwick, " Do You Know the Way to San Jose ?" The Drake Exploration Society Melee ! Carney on LaRu...

You know the old cliche, "It's better to be lucky than good"? Is it true? And if so, then how do you explain Jose DeLeon's career?  Card 634 on Beckett Card 34T on Beckett SABR Bio by Richard Cuicchi Was Jose Underrated ? Jose on TWiB

This Puerto Rican phenom had fewer seasons in the majors (3) than the show 227 was on the air (5), and never met Jackeé, as far as we can tell from Baseball Reference.  Card 227 on Beckett SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen Ed smack talking with the Yankees Correa article from 21 Days Follow-up: Joey Cora vs. Team USA Follow-up: Rick Reuschel Goes to Washington

What could be more wholesome than a guy who bought his Mom two houses and now claims "Honorary Canadian" status?   Card 565 on Beckett Lloyd's time in Medicine Hat Scout Talk! Wayne Morgan Lloyd's "Double Steal" article and video Lloyd in the Canadian Hall of Fame

This Bronx Bomber from Jersey was so powerful that SI compared him to the Babe. But it was one huge homer with the White Sox that earned our host's affection forever. Are you gonna finish that manicotti?  Card 691 and 82T on Beckett Grant Brisbee's sonnet about Neil Allen "The Dan Pasqua Story" on Deadspin True crime updates! UPI stories 1 and 2 SoxNerd article about Dan's big blast 50 Greate...

This scrappy outfielder has a surname that means "last" in French, but for Cubs fans, it meant "fast." Also, what would make you hang up the phone on the President?  Card #642 on 88 Topps Blog SABR Bio by John Racanelli Stay Home with SABR Video from 2021 with Dernier and Ryno 1984 NLCS Leadoff Homer Chicago Tribune article about the call from Ronnie to Harry Bobby's last homer, a walk-off in...

A majestic split-finger fastball and an epic beard took this closer all the way to Cooperstown. What fan wouldn't want a garden gnome in his likeness? Card #155 on Beckett SABR Bio by Norm King Signed Bruce Sutter Garden Gnome on eBay 1978 All-Star Game 1982 World Series, Game 7 Billy Bob Thornton recounts getting hit in the down belows by a Sutter split-finger fastball Sutter's HOF acceptance spe...

Turns out, vertigo is a lot less fun than you would expect if your only experience with it was the 2005 Grammy-award-winning video by U2.  Card #364 on the 1988 Topps Blog SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin Bob Costas calls Nick's 1985 grand slam Sports Illustrated article about Nick's attempt to return to baseball

Is Bob Brower the inside-the-park grand slam of guys who work for sports agents?  Card 252 on Beckett SABR Bio by John Burbridge Jr.   Interview with Bob about his second career Story about Bob, the local hero

For 18 MLB seasons, this sure-handed shortstop had a knack for being in the right place at the right time.  Card #726 on Beckett Card #43T on Isolated Cards SABR Bio by Justin Kreuger Profile of Alfredo on True Blue LA Weirdest strikeout ever? Good hands for a first base coach 

This utility man lettered in two sports, played multiple positions, suited up for a dozen different teams, and even sold insurance on the side. But his most critical job may have been truth teller.  Card 63T on Amazon Scotti Madision career at Vanderbilt Interview with Scotti by Minor League Baseball Scotti testifies during the Sackler trial "Little Wings" by Mark Gormley

 Probably the most wholesome, most straightforward episode we've done.  Card #748 on Beckett Much better card, 1987 Topps #539 on Beckett SABR Bio by Matthew Perry Snoopy vs. The Red Baron A fun fact about Reid Nichols! 

I mean, Rocky won three Academy Awards in 1977 and was nominated for seven others. I could just say the name "Adrian" in that voice and you'd immediately know which movie I'm talking about. Can you give even one famous line from anything in the Rambo series? It can't be done.  Card 567 on Beckett Pete Rambo Harry Caray blown away by a Mike Diaz homer onto Waveland "MIke Diaz's enduring legacy...

Upon further study of the video, we see that Braggs' bat snaps upon contact with his enormous deltoids. Truly jacked.  Card 263 on Beckett Card 639 on eBay The very spooky Pfister Hotel The " Fort Braggs " swing Ryan Fagan on Glenn's swing Glenn's catch saving a home run and the game in the 1990 NLCS Glenn's version of the Three-Man Lift

This reclusive slugger let his bat—and two World Series rings—do the talking.  And faced with the concept of 10¢ Beer Night, we can only wonder: How does someone carry 6 cups of beer back to their seat?  Card 304 on Beckett SABR Bio by Joe Wancho ESPN story on 10¢ Beer Night George throws out Yount in Game 7 of the 1982 World Series Then bats in the game-winning run 1983 SI Article about...