Blogging The 1982 Topps Baseball Card Set
Besides having a unique first name, Dyar Miller has a really interesting career to me. Through no fault of his own, he was stuck in the Orioles farm system for 6 years, ’til he was 29. If he was in any other team’s minor league teams, there’s a great chance he’d have reached the majors [...]
John Urrea reminds me of an calm western gunslinger here, and is one of the most curious and mysterious players I’ve come across. He disappeared right after his best season and he was only 26.
Fernandomania was put on hold the day this photo was shot. His only start in Wrigley Field was a disaster in ’81. You’d never know it though from this classic shot of him in action, about to fire that pitch over home plate. “El Toro” had a great rookie season just as the card celebrates.
Doesn’t he look like he was standing in his stance, but then he noticed something down towards 2nd base, and so he slooped to peer at it like he’s trying to look through the pitchers legs? Crazy stance. Beyond that, this card had just enough detail to help me figure out what game was being played when the photo was shot.
The 1981 Red Sox had four future Hall of Famers on the team, but none of them graced the cover of this 1982 card. They weren’t a bad team at 59-49, but they failed to grab a division title in either half of the split season. The BoSox were a team in transition back then, in between World Series appearances.
Seriousness, determination, and manliness, all emanate from this card. Steve Kemp put together a nice career for a few years and was one of my favorite players when I got to watch him play for the Yankees, but why do we need to check that he’s cleaned his nostrils? What photographer thought this would be ok?
A nice candid shot of a guy looking relaxed and content with his role on the team. Elias Sosa was one of the best relievers in the late 1970′s and early 80′s, being called on to pitch for over 600 games in 12 seasons. He’d probably be a big time closer if he played 10 or 15 years later.
Here, Scott McGregor looks like he couldn’t care what happens, as if success comes so easy to him that nothing bothered him. He also looks like he’s hiding tweety bird in his mouth. Don’t be fooled though, he was one of the toughest lefties of the early 1980′s, so it was no mistake he was an All-Star in 1981.
During the late 1970′s, the era of big collars and shorts in Chicago, Lamar Johnson proved to be one of the best players on the White Sox. In January 1982, with his skills fading, he left Chicago behind and signed as a free agent with the Rangers. He couldn’t revitalize his career, and ’82 became his final season in professional baseball.
Aviles was a man who’d lived a dream by playing for the 1980 World Series Champion Phillies, even if it was just as a backup role. When I looked further into this player, I found he had some surprising statistics and a nephew playing in the major leagues 20 years after himself. I love this card, as the photo really captures a part of what the game is all about.
Thad Bosley might’ve become one of the best players you’ve heard of, if he’d been given more playing time. That probably sounds insane, but his statistics reveal some interesting details. He was much better at the plate when runners were on base than when they were empty. Beyond that, he looks like he’s trying to imitate Oscar Gamble on this card.
Who was Dave Rosello? I don’t remember having this card when I was a kid, but I must’ve, ’cause I had all the cards. First thing I notice is that he looks a little like he was trying to be a 1970′s ladies man, and his stats didn’t surprise me.
If I told you that someone batted .400 for the season in 1982, you’d probably look at me like I’m crazy. It’s true though, and it was Mike Davis.
By 1982, the Minnesota Twins had to look to the future. The previous season was their worst since 1957 and if that wasn’t worrisome enough, they started ’82 going 15-52. The franchise had been crumbling slowly since 1975 and had to rebuild using the draft.
Heading into 1982, he was a solid pinch hitter during his career and was often used as a utility man. Then, suddenly, Lee Lacy became a real tough out and a good clutch hitter. Pittsburgh manager Chuck Tanner noticed this and Lacy played in more games than he had in any other season.
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