1988 Topps

It was a mitre fine night at the ballpark. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7507490/2026/08/12/pope-hat-night-chicago-white-sox-sellout/ https://www.ncronline.org/news/pope-leos-chicago-white-sox-pitches-papal-pride-peace-40000-pope-hats

Saving games and saving lives. Card 84T on ebay: https://ebay.io/m/wA7uER Oklahoman story about Steve’s Twins: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/columns/berry-tramel/2008/08/10/joy-of-twins-soothes-ex-cardinal-steve-peters-despair/61556372007/ Oklahoman story about 1985 Sooners: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1985/03/21/sooners-staff-off-to-super-start-runs-something-oklahomas-pitchers-allow-few-of/62770011007/ Baseball Cards Substack Steve Peters: https://baseballcards.substack.com/p/steve-peters-was-there-for-some-big?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Athletes of OKC FD: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=477406853016529 Greatest 21 days post about steve: https://www.greatest21days.com/2014/04/steve-peters-one-out-120.html

While shortstop Greg Gagne did not receive any National Baseball Hall of Fame votes after his solid career, wrestler Greg Gagne was inducted into the Tragos and Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2024. Card 343 on SportsCardsPro: https://www.sportscardspro.com/game/baseball-cards-1988-topps/greg-gagne-343 Greg with the Dodgers Story: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-05-sp-43214-story.html It’s Great to Be Alive video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqs4DeOn4-Y Frank and Moon Zappa on Letterman: https://youtu.be/ijg2_vVyu0Q?si=FEPTxca9H8YpMPgj&t=336 Valley Girl - Frank Zappa: https://youtu.be/R5Q1yVLSR3I?si=DMCFCxC3tdUgrHq8 Worst Stolen Base % since 1961: https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/Ck053 2 Inside the Parkers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I76wIWY1Tyc Greg’s RBI, World Series Game 7 1987: https://www.mlb.com/video/twins-take-the-lead-in-6th-c523496283?partnerId=web_multimedia-search_video-share Wrestle Rock Rumble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY2sc9-4ANg 1991 World Series Game 1 Homer: https://www.mlb.com/video/gagne-and-hrbek-s-game-1-homers-c2522570683 Breaks up a Perfecto: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19FwQPLyJ9/

This side-armer was #2 among non-closing relievers (400+ IP) in the 1980s until a car accident changed his life. Wear your seatbelt, folks. Card 773 on SportsCards Pro: https://www.sportscardspro.com/game/baseball-cards-1988-topps/frank-williams-773 88 Topps Blog: https://88topps.blogspot.com/2008/09/773-frank-williams.html Tom Hawthorn blog about Frank: https://tomhawthorn.blogspot.com/2009/01/frank-williams-baseball-pitcher-1958.html Google Groups discussion of Frank: https://groups.google.com/g/alt.obituaries/c/FBEpKUZ72pg?pli=1 First Nations article about Frank: https://windspea https://groups.google.com/g/alt.obituaries/c/FBEpKUZ72pg?pli=1 ker.com/news/footprints/frank-williams-major-league-pitcher-reached-the-heights-and-the-depths Story about Frank’s only start: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/05/06/Rookie-Frank-Williams-tossed-a-two-hit-complete-game-shutout-and/3632452664000/ Frank’s other cards showing his motion: https://www.comc.com/Players/Baseball/Frank_Williams/c6137/Cards/ Stathead search of non-closers in the 80s: https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/SBOg3

Your hosts drive to Pittsburgh to watch a baseball game, see the sights, and eat way too many pierogi. Featuring Tim from Pittsburgh Sports Memories and Justin (and son) from 1986-92 Pirates! Pittsburgh Sports Memories podcast: https://pittsburghsportsmemories.weebly.com/ Justin’s 1986-92 Pirates instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1992pirates/ Max’s Allegheny Tavern: https://maxsalleghenytavern.com/index.html Allegheny City Brewing: https://www.alleghenycitybrewing.com/ Primanti Brothers: https://primantibros.com/ The Point State Park history: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/point-state-park/history Andy Warhol Museum: https://www.warhol.org/

Note: An entire minute of audio related to the proper pronunciation of Worcester, Pennsylvania was deleted in the editing of this podcast. You're welcome. Card #119 on Beckett: https://www.beckett.com/baseball/1988/topps/119-robbie-wine-3914575 Greatest 21 Days post: https://www.greatest21days.com/2014/04/robbie-wine-lucky-enough-1295.html Penn State Bio: https://gopsusports.com/staff/robbie-wine Robbie inducted into PA Sports Hall: https://www.timesherald.com/2013/09/22/robbie-wine-reflects-on-life-in-baseball-induction-into-pa-sports-hall-of-fame/ DBat Amarillo: https://www.dbatamarillo.com/ Scout and GM Al Rosen in a Miller Lite Commercial: https://youtu.be/GBQ5LjHWMXM?si=KN2HRP5j7uQEVEc7

Hot dog! This pitcher from the DR had All-Star stuff, but also got ejected from a World Series game. Card 47 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJYNJI8 RetroSimba about Joaquin and Whitey: https://retrosimba.com/2019/05/13/whitey-herzog-made-pitch-for-prodigal-son-joaquin-andujar/ SABR bio by Malcolm Allen: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/joaquin-andujar/ RetroSimba about Joaquin and Hub: https://retrosimba.com/2015/09/17/how-hub-kittle-got-joaquin-andujar-to-cardinals/ Defector article about Starter jackets: https://defector.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-starter-the-coolest-company-on-earth Joaquin in the 1979 All Star Game: https://youtu.be/OMJK6CA6G3Y?si=QU7_fUA2ZuzJFXb8&t=4066 1982 World Series Game 3 injury: https://youtu.be/zqctfh4zBiM?si=K5N9qdfZixMQoDgk&t=7323 Joaquin’s warmup in 1982 World Series Game 7: https://youtu.be/veJj5iI4TM8?si=0Psxqtei3BfrMcF2&t=654 Joaquin vs Gantner: https://youtu.be/NSt-8-6iUZw?si=cn-UrCJnTcoi7DpJ&t=122 Joaquin hits a grand slam: https://www.mlb.com/video/andujar-s-grand-slam?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share Andujar vs Krukow: https://youtu.be/6w_qtEPt92k?si=WbP4kUmfiLNZJ0T4 Joaquin gets tossed from 1985 World Series: https://youtu.be/3LBpIjqR-dQ?si=2eCr9YbM0gTa8vS3&t=8274

Spot Fetcher is a great dog name, right up there with Cookie Rojas and Moose Haas. Card 345 on Sports Cards Pro: https://www.sportscardspro.com/game/baseball-cards-1988-topps/scott-fletcher-345 Ron Kittle gets married: https://www.mlb.com/news/ron-kittle-married-during-white-sox-game SABR bio by Bill Nowlin: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/scott-fletcher/ Georgia Southern Hall of Fame: https://gseagles.com/honors/georgia-southern-athletics-hall-of-fame/scott-fletcher/46 Sosa Trade retrospective: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/t-r-sullivan-a-retrospective-on-the-harold-baines-sammy-sosa-trade.html Remember that guy? https://sports.yahoo.com/remember-guy-scott-fletcher-230626014.html Brooke Fletcher gets a surprise from dad - https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/brooke-fletcher-gets-surprise-dad-160058524.html Stathead shortstops by WAR 1983-1993- https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/hiMZ2 Spot Fetcher - https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/pets/spot/ Last Comiskey Documentary youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@lastcomiskey1990/videos

This journeyman pitcher played for at least 15 teams, and that was just in the summer! Card 322 on eBay: https://ebay.io/m/aOEolb Hall of Fame Card Corner: https://baseballhall.org/discover/cardcorner-1989-fleer-vicente-palacios Vicente Palacios at Greatest 21 Days: https://www.greatest21days.com/2011/09/vicente-palacios-he-did-7.html Palacios article on RetroSimba: https://retrosimba.com/2024/07/19/how-vicente-palacios-shouldered-his-way-to-success/ Video about Vicente’s nohitter (Spanish) https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz7CumqSmKM/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet Video about Vicente from Aguilas(spanish): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D5yYmP8wH/ Painted Cap analysis of this card: https://x.com/PaintedCap/status/1308614022514655235

He's the catcher to call when trouble's near! Card 95 on eBay: https://ebay.io/m/idD12W Card 669 on eBay: https://ebay.io/m/4HV7QD SABR bio by Mike Lassman: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Lance-Parrish/ Lance on the Top Tigers Countdown: https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/1/11/5283538/top-tigers-countdown-21-lance-parrish Lance tells the Tina Turner story: https://youtube.com/shorts/_EmngX_4EYE?si=mibRu-yYodpEDD5F Lance, Chet, Lou, Tram and a baby Tiger: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNjCwnZslpn/ Tigerrr Catcher Poster: https://sportsposterwarehouse.com/products/lance-parrish-tiger-catcher-1983-detroit-tigers-vintage-wall-poster-nike-inc Lance the Car Salesman: https://youtu.be/PIq9jjZFcqg?si=7FrcZxPp-j_C5FQT World Series blast off the Goose: https://youtu.be/fnL73KqjmW8?si=jNDvMrxIkWkYjh-b Bless You Boys Song: https://youtu.be/QTUA7g1mhcg?si=46_su9Clt7M492PF Lance and Mr. Drummond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsA4yBT-r8g WAR leaderboard, Catchers 1979-1986: https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/rh6iJ

We have forgotten to reference the poem about the plums that were in the icebox Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold and good for throwing Card 622 on Beckett: https://marketplace.beckett.com/tripleplaysportscards_764/item/1988-topps-622-kal-daniels_49852943 SABR Bio by Heath Santo: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/kal-daniels/ High School Jersey Retirement: https://sportsmic.com/eagles-baseball-legend-kal-daniels-number-retired/ 2020 MLB Article: https://www.mlb.com/news/kal-daniels-reds-cult-hero Kal fielding blooper: https://youtu.be/6unKL_3_Azc?si=GXjOoOH2AmutYiHV Kal blast off Orel Hershiser: https://youtu.be/tM128HpYaJ4?si=131pK9WcrRFdk-0D Kal’s 1990 season review: https://youtu.be/yhSmfWtc-Bc?si=oqbSbJpmemI_dhAX Most seasons 25 homers 150 OPS+, >450 ABs: https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/8Ii5j

Face it, anyone can look scrawny next to the forearms of the Bash Brothers. Card 126T on Beckett: https://www.beckett.com/baseball/1988/topps-traded/126t-walt-weiss-xrc-3916218 Card 263 Big on ebay: https://ebay.us/m/diQDu8 Henry Cotto catch: https://youtu.be/9-fgOMQBdTY?si=DvWSzj-b6l2_kB4z&t=180 Walt Weiss SABR Bio by Ken Reed: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/walt-weiss/ Walt Weiss first grand slam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5b9VRz2_Wo 1988 ALCS RBI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cjSk385Iww 1989 World Series homer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epIn_Oa8c9g 1990 Walt is taken out: https://youtu.be/cGh6TExbYjs?si=gjz9QbsSyiH-WK4_&t=10682 1998 All Star Game story: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-08-sp-1857-story.html Walt takedown of Jorge Soler: https://youtu.be/xb-LcvtyAd0?si=mDKP3ZWmu0lavPQD&t=133

Welcome to Season 7 of the 1988 Topps Podcast! This week, a pitcher and GM who didn't have many strikeouts, but did have a number of punch outs. Card 336 on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/354828366005 SABR bio by Jon Springer: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Ed-Lynch/ Unflattering 1987 Topps card: https://www.reddit.com/r/baseballcards/comments/t5xzw2/there_are_as_few_unflattering_photos_on_a_card_as/ Lynch vs Zonk: https://youtu.be/txJl8Gr38Ks?si=RAVIthN6A-nFWqCf&t=4222 Lynch vs Mariano Duncan: https://youtu.be/VFwrYtuFMjA?si=d7ce1OdxvRoBCdIZ&t=6494 Ed’s Real Estate business: https://keyselectrealestate.com/agents/ed-lynch Ed’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Surfing_Baseball_with_Ed_Lynch/videos

No "Looking good, Mr. Kotter" jokes were harmed in the making of this podcast. Card 766: https://ebay.us/m/DWyMm8 Traded Card 31T: https://www.beckett.com/baseball/1988/topps-traded/31t-henry-cotto-3916123 Nipper the Dog Statue: https://apnews.com/article/nipper-dog-statue-albany-new-york-69a5ca4ec514f837626475b5d5264c1d Ross Jones breaks up a no-hitter box score: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA198709010.shtml Cotto makes a nice throw: https://www.facebook.com/reel/803442264937951 Henry Cotto at Beisbol 101: https://beisbol101.com/henry-cotto-caguas-criollos-cubs-yankees-mariners-marlins-and-yomiuri-giants-part-iii/ Hall of Fame Card Corner: https://baseballhall.org/discover/cardcorner-1989-topps-henry-cotto Cotto talks to MILB: https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-460370

The card that is the most explicit ad for undergarments in the 1988 Topps set. Card 723 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/bakersfield_636/item/1988-topps-723-bob-kipper_88993334 SABR Bio by Thomas Kern - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bob-kipper/ Baseball Prospectus interview - https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/12669/prospectus-qa-bob-kipper/ Charles and MJ and Vince Coleman - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2026/04/23/charles-barkley-michael-jordan-break-silence-rift-vince-coleman/89754657007/ Wayne’s World filming locations - https://movie-locations.com/movies/w/Waynes-World.php Bob vs Daryl - https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVCHrPKEhod/ Kipper Facts from 1992 Pirates - https://bsky.app/profile/1992pirates.bsky.social/post/3lcv4ozhhoc2g

If you have evidence that Tom Sandoval tried to inspire his high school classmates to victory by telling them to "Win one for the Nipper," please contact us immediately. Card 326 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/southpawcards_272/item/1988-topps-326-al-nipper_87706900 Card 75T on eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/205293191459 SABR Bio by Gregory Wolf - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/al-nipper/ Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - https://www.mlb.com/news/thoracic-outlet-syndrome-facts-causes-symptoms-recovery-time Al throws at Phil Bradley - https://youtu.be/9fJyOGF6KhA?si=WraPdYa8_T1geE2U Al throws at Daryl Strawberry - https://www.reddit.com/r/mets/comments/1rtj03s/on_this_day_march_14_1987_darryl_strawberry/ Al in the Missouri Sports Hall - https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/al-nipper/

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