1988 Topps
By Matt Kuzma and David McEllis
In this 700+ episode series, Matt Kuzma and David McEllis discuss a different 1988 Topps baseball card every week.
Send your questions and suggestions to 1988ToppsPodcast@gmail.com.
1988 ToppsNov 13, 2023
Jim Traber (#544)
Inspired by Jim Traber's singing of the National Anthem before his own baseball game, we offer the 1988 Topps Podcast Triathlon:
Event 1: Bike 10 miles while listening to Ruben Sierra's music
Event 2: Sing a solo from any Broadway musical
Event 3: Beat the Mets with any team in RBI Baseball
- Card 544 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen
- 1987 Topps Traber
- Jim's Draft Day article
- Charging the mound, getting kicked in the head
- Oklahoma State HOF
- Jim discusses his health scare
Lance McCullers (#197)
An episode about a Florida Man almost losing his hand, but not to an encounter with a snake or gator!
- Card 197 on Beckett
- Card Corner of Lance's 1990 Score card
- McCullers Christmas Trees
- Lance on Father's Day
- Stathead Search: 120 IP/0 Starts/9+k/9
San Diego Padres
New York Yankees
Texas Rangers
Mike Campbell (#246)
Zak Ford, author of Called Up: Ballplayers Remember Becoming Major Leaguers, joins the pod to talk about this Future Star.
- Card #246 on Beckett
- Learn more about Called Up
- Mike Campbell on Greatest 21 Days
- Mike's interview on BallNine
- Bob Zuk SABR Bio by John Klima
- Shisakberry's!
Mariners
Rangers
Padres
Cubs
Joe Price (#786)
This no-nonsense lefty spent 11 years in MLB and now lives on a 60-foot boat. What more is there to say?
- Card 786 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin
- Follow-up: Ron Guidry the drummer
- Santee, CA
- Stathead search: Joe Price opponent breakdown
- Joe teaches appropriate pitching fundamental: be square
- Joe and Jim Leyritz against Angioma
Ron Guidry (#535)
While Yogi Berra once said, “All pitchers are liars or crybabies,” this Yankees legend (and friend of Yogi) may have been an exception.
- Card 535 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Joe Wancho
- SABR Game Story on Ron's 18-strikeout game by Joe Wancho
- SI finds Ron on the bayou
- Remembering Ron's 1978
- Louisiana Legends Interview
- Ron and Yogi
Ivan Calderon (#184)
Tito Landrum (#581)
This all-around athlete only hit 13 homers in the regular seasons of his career, but his 1983 ALCS game-winning blast was as easy as ABC.
- Card #581 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen
- Tito Jackson döppelganger?
- 1983 ALCS homer video and story
- Macho Man's teammate
- Vapor Man
- Tito goes back to school
John Marzano (#757)
This catcher from South Philly wasn't afraid to joke—or spar—with the best of 'em.
- Card 757 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by John Stefano
- The Tragic Death of John Marzano
- Marzano Tackles Shelby
- Johnny almost decks Paul O'Neill
- Harry Kalas and Johnny Marz
Boston Red Sox
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Herm Winningham (#614)
Clerk: [announced over speaker] Paging Mr. Herm. Mr. Herm, you have a telephone call at the front desk.
Herm comes to the desk and picks up the receiver.
Herm: Yes? Uh huh? Yes, I understand.
Herm hangs up the phone.
It was the president again. I've got to win a World Series with a two-strike bunt single.
- Card #614 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin
- MLB Reds Then and Now
- Herm Ballnine interview
- "Reds Hot"
- Serious Inquiry into Reds Hot
- Memorable Postseason Bunts
Bob Horner (#50T)
Card #50T on Beckett
SABR Games Project about the Padres/Braves brawl
Brawl video
Should Atlanta have traded Bob Horner?
1981 SI Article about Bob
4HR Game
Bob, the #1 pick
Parting Shots at Japan baseball
Whitey's concerns about Horner
Atlanta Braves
Yakult Swallows
St. Louis Cardinals
Mark Eichhorn (#749)
This unassuming reliever twisted batters into pretzels with his unconventional delivery.
- Card #749 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Tim Sitar
- Why can't Germans say "squirrel"
- "MLB's slowest pitcher was completely unhittable"
- Blue Bird Banter on Mark Eichhorn
- All-time Greatest Blue Jays
- Stathead: All-Time Relievers by WAR
- Stathead: All-Time Relief Seasons by WAR
Toronto Blue Jays
Atlanta Braves
California Angels
Baltimore Orioles
Billy Masse (#67T)
This gold medalist never made it to the bigs, but his commitment to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats was major league.
- Card 67T on Beckett
- Listen to David on Conversations with Sports Fans
- Follow-up: Cecil and Gumby's card photo game
- What is Podunk?
- Masse's profile by GHTBL
- Billy at Greatest 28 Days
- Don't you dare give the Sea Dogs a standing O!
Cecil Cooper (#769)
Editor's Note: In 1988, Beany and Cecil returned to TV as The New Adventures of Beany and Cecil. The new version was produced and directed by John Kricfalusi, creator of The Ren and Stimpy Show. We regret the omission of this important information.
Boston Red Sox
Milwaukee Brewers
Rick Honeycutt (#641)
When this versatile pitcher went on a losing streak, it was bulletin board material.
- Card 641 on Beckett
- All-Time Butt Shot, 1984 Topps Keith Hernandez
- Recent Rick with giant hat
- Chatanooga Choo-Choo
- Rick and the Thumbtack
- NYT makes an obvious pun
- Capping off Rick's coaching career
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
Los Angeles Dodgers
Oakland A's
New York Yankees
St. Louis Cardinals
Al Pedrique (#294)
This defensive shortshop never made it as a big league prospect, but he continues to make his mark discovering and nurturing future stars. Plus, how does a 1.4 WAR performance make someone an All-Star Rookie AND an All-Star on the premier baseball video game of the decade?
- Card 294 on Beckett
- Game-winning bloop by @1992Pirates
- Handshaking bandit by @1992Pirates
- Tough start in the minors by @PiratesOTD
- Al Pedrique, Greatest 21 Days
- Al Pedrique on MILB
- Al Pedrique and Jose Altuve on MLB
- Stathead Search: 1987 NL SS by WAR. You find us an All-Star not named Ozzie Smith!
Keith Hernandez (#610)
Mark Simon returns to the pod to discuss Elaine Benes' most-famous boyfriend (other than Lloyd Braun, of course.)
- Card 610 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Michael Martell
- Guest Mark Simon's website
- Follow-up: 1988 Topps Big Card Guillermo Hernandez
- SI Story about Keith and his Dad
- About John Hernandez, the ballplayer
- Big hit in the 1982 World Series
- The Cardinals trade Keith away
- Big hit in the 1986 World Series
- The Cooperstown case for Keith
- Keith says something stupid about a trainer
- Keith and his cat
- Keith answers questions about Seinfeld
St. Louis Cardinals
New York Mets
Cleveland Indians
Willie Hernandez (#713)
This versatile reliever had one of the best closer seasons in Major League history and one of our favorite quotes:
"You think I look mean when I pitch? I guess it's because I'm hungry to take you out. I'm hungry to make some money."
- Card 513 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Gary Gillette
- Obituary at RIP Baseball
- Ismael Miranda "Caretas"
- Phillies 23 - Cubs 22
- Dan Ford HBP in World Series
- Worst Swing Ever?
- 1984 World Series Final Out
- 1984 World Series Celebration
- Mitch and the Bucket
Detroit Tigers
Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago Cubs
Tom Bolton (#442)
This versatile lefty joined the pros at age 18 and pitched for 19 years. And as far as we can tell, he never had a case of the Mondays! Card 442 on Beckett SABR Bio by David Moore Antioch pitcher drafted! Tom profiled at Greatest 21 Days Story about 'The Way Down' Nashville Sounds, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles
Tom Brookens (#474)
This brookie combines brownie batter and chocolate chip cookie dough to create a decadent half brownie, half cookie bar that's fun and easy to make.
- Card 474 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Pat Kilroy and Larry Hilliard
- Hall of Fame Card Corner
- 1980 Topps Rookie with no moustache
- Tom's SABR Best Game project
- Brookens plays catcher in 1985
- "I'm pretty cool where I'm at" in Detroit Free Press
- Great ejection as 3rd base coach at Erie
- "Pennsylvania Polka" performed by Lawrence Welk Band
- Groundhog Day, Day 1
Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians
Mike Kingery (#532)
This Minnesota journeyman moved 52 times in his 17-year baseball career, but as long as he found a spot in the outfield, he felt at home.
- Card 532 on Beckett
- Three Rivers Stadium menu
- SABR Bio by Doug Ernst
- Greatest 21 Days - Mike Kingery
- The Kingery Family
- Solid Foundation Baseball School
Jack Clark (#100/397/28T)
“I don’t think [the 1988 Topps Podcast has] any weaknesses. Some people have God’s gift to [podcast], and I think [they] have it.”
- Jack Clark, probably
- Card 100 on Beckett
- Card 397 on eBay
- Card 28T on Amazon
- SABR Bio by Dan Taylor
- Baseball Hall of Fame Card Corner
- 1981 Unibrow
- NLCS Homer
- Robbed by Eric Davis two days in a row
- Buy a "F the Dodgers" ball
- 1991 SI article about Jack and his father
- Stathead Search: OPS+ 1980-1989, 2500+ PAs
San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox
Von Hayes (#215)
After listening to this episode, you will definitely know who Von Hayes is.
- Card 215 on Beckett
- SABR Bio By Zac Petrillo
- "Dude, nobody knows who Von Hayes is" from It's Always SUnny in Philadelphia
- Catching up with Von in 2022
- Von hits 2nd homer of 1st inning
- Von and his Santa friends
- Von Hayes, the band
Ed Sprague (#113T)
With the simple push of a button, the Brazilian judge magically turned one gold medal into two.
- Card #113T on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin
- BREAKING: Jay Baller relief appearance on WGN on June 17, 1986
- BREAKING: Don Aase gives up big homer in 1989
- Carl T Spague
- Ed hits huge World Series homer for the Jays
- Ed discusses the A's farm system in 2023
- Ed's wife wins a disputed Gold
Don Aase (#467)
First in our alphabet, first in our hearts, first in polished concrete.
- Card #467 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin
- Straight-haired Don
- Angels Fight Song
- Don Aase at Halos Heaven
- Polished Concrete Wows Museum Goers!
Denny Martinez (#76)
Welcome to the 1988 Topps Podcast: Presidential Edition
- Card #76 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Rory Costello
- 88 Topps Blog post
- MLB Story about the perfect game
- Video from el perfecto
- Story about his namesaked stadium
- Hall of Fame case made by his son!
Ed Olwine (#353)
This journeyman reliever tested 1980s Georgia labor laws as he worked for the minimum wage and made tips.
- Card 353 on Beckett
- Ed Olwine 21 Greatest Days
- Lil' Ole Wine Drinker Me by Dean Martin
- Sports Illustrated: "Working for peanuts"
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "When it comes to home sales, he's the perfect pitcher"
- Rudy Kurniawan, Ol Wine Swindler
Gary Redus (#657)
This speedster from Alabama played 13 years in the bigs and had one of the best seasons at the plate in minor league baseball history.
Stasera Mi Butto!
- Card #657 on Beckett
- White Sox Mascot History
- Stasera mi butto
- Best Reds Minor League Season of 1970s
- Grandma's Scorebook Gary Redus
- Gary Redus II, Secret Weapon
- HOF and MLB articles about the .462 season
Danny Tartabull (#724)
Tart - a - Bull. Tart - a - Bull.
Say it like a toddler, and you can't help but smile.
- Card 724 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Charles Faber
- NY Times: Danny meets his Grandpa
- Best Reds Minor League Season of the 1980s?
- Costanza giving Danny swing pointers
- George gets "the finger"
- Married With Children "A Man For No Seasons"
- Dumbest Fugitive Alive
- Stathead Search: Worst dWar outfielders of all time
Marc Sullivan (#354)
Some guys have all the luck,
Some guys can only dream.
Some guys get all the breaks,
Some guys have a Dad who owns the team.
- Card #354 on Beckett
- Marc Sullivan SABR Bio
- John Lickert SABR Bio
- Haywood Sullivan SABR Bio
- Haywood Sullivan: Red Sox Controversial Figures
- SI Thirsty Article about Marc
- Marc Sullivan, RBI Baseball Legend
- Stathead: Worst Single Season OPS+ Search
- Stathead: Career OPS+ Under 35 Search
Kevin Bass (#175/291)
Saturday Night Live, April 17, 1976:
Here’s how it works: Catch a bass, remove the hook, and drop the bass – that’s the whole bass – into the Super Bass-o-Matic ’76. [ drops the bass into the blender ] Now, adjust the control dial so that the bass is blended just the way you like it. [ turns blender on and grinds it to a pulp ] Yes, it’s that simple!
Bass-Drinker: [ drinks a glassful of bass ] Wow, that’s terrific bass!
- Card 175 on ebay
- Card 291 on Beckett
- Seibu Lions Backflips
- SABR Bio by Philip Bolda
- 2002 Interview with Astros Daily
- Sammy Davis Jr. Impersonation
- 1986 All-Star Game Intros
- 1986 NLCS Final At-Bat
Bill Swift (#117T)
It's me. Hi. I'm the podcast, it's me. (Bill's Version)
- Card 117T on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Bill Lemoine
- SI Top Maine Athletes
- 1994 Chicago Tribune: Giants' Maine Man
- 538 article on younger siblings and their athletic prowess
- Stathead Search: 1990-1993 Best ERA, 500+ IP
Jim Fregosi (#714)
SABR Board President Mark Armour joins the pod to talk about one of the best shortstops of the 1960s who then became an "old school" manager at age 36.
- Card #714 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Mark Armour
- Become a SABR member!
- Mark's website
- Intentional Balk: Baseball's Thin Line Between Innovation and Cheating
- Stathead Search: SS by WAR 1963-1970
- 1964 SI Article
- Jim practices his ump antics
- Jim's Ejections
- Jim Fregosi obituary
Tim Birtsas (#501)
Fun Fact: Tim Birtsas is taller than any candidate for the US Presidency in a general election.
- Card #501 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Steve Friedman
- NY Times on the first Rickey trade
- Tim's return to Tiger Stadium
- Top trades in Reds History
- MLB list of every 4-strikeout inning ever
- Olde Mill Inn of Clarkston, MI
Barry Lyons (#633)
This Mississippi native was a reliable backup for the Mets and Dodgers. But after Hurricane Katrina, he needed some backup of his own.
- Card 633 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Leslie Heaphey
- Bio by Mark Stowers
- Video of Barry breaking John Tudor's leg
- Induction into Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
- Follow-up: Stathead search of pitchers hitting first-inning triples
Donnie Moore (#471)
This hard-throwing reliever went from the top of his game at age 31 to a violent death at age 35. The story behind Donnie Moore's downfall is far more complicated than just giving up a big home run.
- Card 471 on Beckett
- College football coverage from Lubbock for The Baylor Lariat
- "What Broke Donnie Moore?" on Deadspin
- "The Split" on Sports Illustrated
- 1981 manslaughter story on RetroSimba
- 1986 ALCS Henderson home run off of Moore
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Joe Slusarski (#109T)
"I am glad to hear of their coming, but they will have to wait a few minutes till I get my turn at bat."
- Abraham Lincoln
- Card #109T on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Rory Costello
- Joe makes the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame
- Abraham Lincoln's farewell address to Springfield
Glenn Hubbard (#325/53T)
This hard-working second baseman didn't steal the hearts of Braves fans—he struck, squeezed, and subdued them, then swallowed them whole.
- Card 325 on Beckett
- Card 53T on eBay
- SABR Bio by Peter Gerken
- 1983 All-Star Game as the Bearded Wonder
- 1984 Fleer Masterpiece
- 1987 unlucky break
- Stathead Search: 1980s 2B by WAR
- Epic Lexington Legends bobblehead
Mike Greenwell (#493)
He had the All-Star Rookie card, the nickname, the bat, and the confidence. Could he live up to the legacy of Fenway's left field legends?
- Card 493 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Joe Wancho
- BoSox Injection: 10 Cards That Tell the Story of the Red Sox
- Game Story of Gator's Cycle
- Scoring controversy on the triple!
- Greenwell the race car driver
- Gator Mike's
Bo Diaz (#265)
The Ultimate Ultimate Ultimate Ultimate Grand Slam is being down 3-0, bottom of the 9th, no team hits yet, bases loaded from 3 walks/errors, 3-2 count, double doink home run off the foul pole and the scoreboard.
- Card #265 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Andrea Long
- Ultimate Slam article!
- Ultimate Slam radio call!
- Pancho Prin, "El Aguardiente"
- Antioqueño Aguardiente, WineChateu.com
Don Baylor (#545/11T)
Austin, Texas is famous for many things: live music, barbecue, bats, being weird, and Hit By Pitch king Don Baylor.
- Card 545 on Beckett
- Card 11T on eBay
- Card 545 Painted Cap
- SABR Bio by Tusa and Allen
- Willie Wells and the Lost History of Black Baseball in Austin
- "A Walk Through Don Baylor's Austin" by Eric Robinson
- And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, "Another Morning Stoner"
- The Impossibles, "Descriptive Essay, 100 Words"
- 1987 World Series, Game 6 Don Baylor homer
Shane Rawley (#66/406)
From the Google Reviews: "It's my favorite 'home away from home' place for pizza. I won't eat pizza from any other establishment! Love Shaners!!!
- Card 66 on Beckett
- Card 406 on Beckett
- "Racine" by Duvall
- 1987 Sports Illustrated article about Shane
- Review of Shaner's Pizza
- Shaner's Pizza Website
- Baseball Hall of Fame article about Shane
Jim Dwyer (#521)
This episode is as Chicago as a box full of sport peppers, deep dish pizza, House music, and bad Cubs general management decisions.
- Card 521 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Tom Mank
- Chicago Magic Lounge
- The Magic of Paige Thompson
- Mascot Watch: Chairman Yam
- Southern Illinois University in 1970
- Jim Dwyer Painted Cap
- World Series Home Run! Game 1, 1983
Jim Pankovits (#487)
“Where does he sleep, where does he vote? Where does he go back to every night to watch movies? It boils down to that. And if that is any place in Chicago for an extended period of time, then he's a resident.”
-- Former Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson
- Card 487 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin
- Greatest 21 Days, Jim Pankovits
- Night Owl Cards, Brush With Greatness
- Jim gets tossed, his players comment
- "Vallas Faces Questions" by WTTW
Joel McKeon (#409)
We know Belgium has great waffles, chocolate, beer, and mussels. But did you know that it has baseball?
- Card #409 on ComC
- Follow-up: Scott Bankhead Gunslinger poster
- Joel McKeon's forkball
- Chicago Tribune story on Joel's illness
- AP story on Joel in Belgium
Scott Bankhead (#730)
This unassuming Tar Heel spent 10 years in the majors and both played and coached for Team USA. An All-American card.
- Card 730 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin
- Softbank Hawks mascot attacked!
- Appalachian State is HOT! HOT! HOT!
- Tony Rice, "Nine Pound Hammer"
- Scott Bankhead interview with USA Baseball
Mark Ciardi (#417)
This week, the pod takes an uncomfortably long look at this dreamy pitcher and learns why it's very hard to say "Piscataway" while wearing bowties and briefs.
- Card 417 on Beckett
- Brewers Numerical History: #34
- Mark's story on My Central Jersey
- "The Rookie" on MLB
- "Chippendale's Audition" from SNL
- Ski New Jersey!
Eddie Whitson (#330)
Them's fightin' words.
- Card 330 on Beckett
- Stathead search: Best NL pitchers of 1989-1990
- SABR Bio by Mike Huber
- SI: Billy's Biggest Brawl
- LA Times: Escape From New York
- Epic Padres/Braves fight on YouTube
Bobby Thigpen (#613)
Matt Flesch, director of the documentary "Last Comiskey," joins the show to talk about the reliever who saved everything in 1990 — except that historic ballpark.
- Card 613 on Beckett
- Watch "Last Comiskey" on YouTube
- Card 613 on 88 Topps Blog
- Follow-up: Pat Tabler MimsBandz
- Follow-up: Tommy Hutton's painted cap and suspicious moustache
- Bobby saves #57
- White Sox/A's epic 1991 brawl
- Chicago Tribune article about Donna Jo by Bob Verdi
Lenn Sakata (#716)
This backup infielder and long-time coach was only the second Japanese-American to play in MLB, paving the way for future greats. The extra "N" is for "Nice Glasses."
- Card 716 on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Rory Castello
- Feature on Lenn in Japan Ball
- ***CANDIDATE FOR BEST-LOOKING CARD OF THE 1980s***
1981 Donruss Lenn Sakata - Tippy Martinez picks off three runners in one inning, Lenn catches
Pat Tabler (#230/118T)
Pop quiz: Who is the all-time leader in batting average with the bases loaded?
Meet Mr. Clutch.
- Card 230 on Beckett
- Card 118T on Beckett
- SABR Bio by Harry Schoger
- In Stock: Steve Jeltz Fan Club T-Shirt
- Info about Jeltz Autographs!
- The weird Rick Resuchel trade, explained
- Stathead Search: 100+ AB w/ bases loaded
- Pat Tabler leaving SportsNet
- NSFW: Nude Tim Tuefel art?