My First Cards

This photo of Fred Lynn seems to be from spring training ’81, soon after he was traded to the Angels and just before his career would become an example of how ballparks can have an affect on a player’s production.

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If the Phillies didn’t trade Lonnie Smith to the Cardinals in November ’81, they probably would’ve eeked out another division title in ’82 and maybe a 2nd World Championship. Lonnie became the NL’s runner-up MVP that season in St Louis and beat up the Phillies pitching staff when the two met again.

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Believe it or not, Sixto Lezcano helped shape the 1982 baseball season like no other player, being a key figure in the Brewers and Cardinals race to the top. Then he simply went through the year on fire, but got no MVP consideration.

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Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the 1982 National League home run leader, Dave Kingman…

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1982 was the season Ron LeFlore went from being the reformed felon baseball star, to unwanted trouble…in a hurry.

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Jeff Leonard was a cast off from Houston, who helped the Giants nearly capture the NL West in 1982 as they fell short by just 2 games. I suspect they would’ve won it, if Jeff didn’t miss 82 games due to a hand injury early in the season.

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The leadoff hitter for the AL Champion Milwaukee Brewers, Paul Molitor had his first great season in ’82 on his way to a Hall of Fame career while scoring a career best 136 runs.

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“Disco Dan” Ford was traded to the Orioles in January ’82 and proceeded to have the worst season of his career up to that point. Very disappointing to Baltimore fans, since Dan was hailed as a star slugger who’d be the bulk of the offense.

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Is Gary Hancock standing there disgusted with you and turning his nose up like a bratty rich sissy, or is he lookin’ off daydreaming of having a better career? Considering he only played 11 games in ’82, he’s probably daydreaming…

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August 24, 1982, John Wathan stole 3rd base in a game against the Rangers, to break the single season steals record for catchers.

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This is Andre Dawson’s 1st All-Star card. At the break in ’81, Dawson’s OBP was .380 and he was slugging .598! Definitely deserved his spot on the team. His career stats show he didn’t get on base that often all the time, but he was very clutch.

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Bob Molinaro doin’ his impression of the White Sox logo, used the power of the ‘stache to hit better with RISP than when nobody was on. Too bad 52% of his plate appearances (mostly as a PH) came with nobody on base.

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This is the only ’81 highlight card that celebrates an entire season, not a specific event. Tim Raines had an awesome rookie season to set fire to a great career that was, in some ways, better than many Hall of Famers. Don’t believe me? Read on.

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Reid Nichols was 23, and trying to break into the Boston outfield when they already had Rice and Evans. Tough to do in ’82. He made the most of it, especially after June 9th.

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Is it just me or does Claudell Washington look kinda goofy here? Rick Mahler looks like a perfect fit for a southern team with that shave. I’ve always imagined he’s in the middle of telling about a fish he caught earlier.

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