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.

“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.

The first of a trio of related cards, Rick Burleson was a star shortstop entering the ’82 season, having already been an All-Star 4 times and just won his first silver slugger award. But an injury during the April 17, 1982 game, would change his career forever.

Everybody’s featuring a Steve Renko card on their blog this month. First it was 1980 Topps. Then last week it was 1976 Steve Renko. Just yesterday the ’75 Topps Renko showed up. He’s the “in thing” right now for no explicable reason, so I’ve gotta get in on this too.