#177 John Ellis
John played in parts of 13 major league seasons, with his best years coming as a Cleveland Indian. By 1981, he was finishing up his career in Texas.
#163 1981 RBI Leaders
A pair of future Hall of Famers dominate this card. Even when this card hit the public in ’82, we all knew these guys would be or at least could be in Cooperstown someday. Of the two, Eddie Murray had the easier time winning his league’s RBI title, even though it was close. Although it [...]
#162 1981 Home Run Leaders
Obviously, this is one of the coolest cards in the set when you’re an eight year old and I dubbed it “the card of five stars”. You’ve got 5 of the best players AND they’re the home run leaders! It all starts with Mike Schmidt, who led the National League in homers for the fifth [...]
#313 John Harris
I’m trying to figure this card out. Is that pop rocks? Sunflower seeds? Pistachios maybe? Gum? I doubt Topps would show a player dipping into their chewing tobacco. Whatever the case, John Harris could be mistaken for a fan instead of a pro ball player.
#337 All-Star Pete Rose
When the strike hit, Pete Rose was batting .330/.389/.421, riding a 14 game hitting streak, and on the verge of breaking the all-time NL hit record. He took batting practice during the strike, and got the first hit of the ’81 “late summer classic”.
#390 Eddie Murray
The runner-up AL MVP in 1982 was future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, and what a season he had! He led the Orioles on a late season surge where they nearly won the division, after being 7 1/2 games back as late as August 20th.
#401 Johnny Bench in Action!
Arguably the best catcher in history was winding down his career by 1982, but what a career it was! MVP’s, World Championships, All-Star games, and a variety of records to hold. This card is also awesome because it actually has just enough detail for us to figure out what game this might’ve been.
#4 Pete Rose, ’81 Highlight
The first day back in action after the strike, there was the All-Star game. The second day after the strike, Pete Rose resumes his assault on the all-time hits record by becoming the National League’s career leader in hits.
#690 Dave Kingman
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the 1982 National League home run leader, Dave Kingman…
#716 Willie Stargell In Action!
The great Willie Stargell was back in action in ’82 after missing most of the previous two seasons with knee problems and surgery. Everyone knows about the ’79 “We Are Family” Pirates, and it’s easy to forget how great Willie was throughout his career…
#83 New York Yankees Future Stars
At the beginning of ’82, nobody viewed the Yankees as a team in need of talent. They either had it, or could buy it when they needed it. Of course, history tells us that ’82 was the start of the Yankees playoff drought and time for some rebuilding of the franchise during some dark years.
#429 John Wathan
August 24, 1982, John Wathan stole 3rd base in a game against the Rangers, to break the single season steals record for catchers.
#413 Dan Meyer
This card features the expression of a man playing for the Mariners in the early 1980′s, who wishes there’d never been an expansion draft. He was a below average hitter, who turned into a slugger against a certain three teams.
#132 Lee May
Lee May’s another player who finished his career in ’82. He’d played 18 years, and is probably most famous for hitting a ball in the 1970 World Series to Brooks Robinson.
#192 Broderick Perkins
The expression of a player with a career .313 OBP & .352 SLG, staring at the ball as it’s crossing home plate. That look of fascination and utter confusion and amusement about it. Almost like he’s asking himself, “hey, am I a glazed donut?”. He also looks clueless in a cameo on Joe Lefebvre’s card in this set.