We're heading into the home stretch here people. And speaking of home stretch, I'll be at home for a stretch so look for little changes to The Blog that aim to increase your enjoyment (and its resourcefulness).

#601 - 650

601. Dave Dravecky, 1989
602. Gary Carter NL AS, 1987
603. Joe Morgan, 1983
604. Gary Pettis, 1986
605. Dennis Boyd, 1986
Why didn't Topps ever refer to him as 'Oil Can'? I could never figure that one out.

606A.+B. Don Mattingly AL AS, 1987
607. Tony Bernazard AL AS, 1987
608. Wade Boggs AL AS, 1987
609. Cal Ripken, Jr. AL AS, 1987
610. Jim Rice AL AS, 1987
611. Kirby Puckett AL AS, 1987
612. Dan Quisenberry, 1989
613. Lance Parrish AL AS, 1987
614. Roger Clemens AL AS, 1987
615. Robin Yount, 1989
616. Dave Righetti AL AS, 1987
This is Righetti in his full Muppet glory: mouth slightly open, eyes slightly closed, bushy hair; all that's missing is a Gandalf mustache and he's Floyd Pepper.

617. Willie Wilson, 1985
618. Lamarr Hoyt, 1983
619. Sergio Ferrer, 1980
620. Dwight Gooden, 1985 (RC)
621. Frank Howard, 1984 (MGR)
622. Glenn Braggs, 1987 (RC)
623. Floyd Rayford, 1986
624. Fergie Jenkins, 1982
625. Eddie Murray, 1989
626. Tigers Team, 1980
627. Eric Davis, 1985 (RC)
I always forget that this card was a juggernaut for most of the Eighties. I even forgot about mentioning it in my review of the 1985 Topps set in the 1980s Countdown back in 2006.

628. Kirk McCaskill, 1986 (RC)
629. Charlie Lea, 1983
630. Steve Carlton, 1981
631. Bob Forsch, 1985
632. Bryan Harvey, 1989 (RC)
633. Jackie Gutierrez, 1986
This was one of the first cards I ever got.

634. Rafael Palmeiro, 1987 (RC)
635. Bobby Bonds, 1981
This is probably one of the best photos ever. You know, the 1981 set is chock full of fantastic candids of guys on the bench.

636. Phillies Leaders, 1982
637. Bip Roberts, 1987 (RC)
638. Mike Pagliarulo, 1985 (RC)
639. Bo Diaz, 1986
If I remember this card correctly, Diaz is spry after a foul ball, replete with shadows lit for dramatic effect.

640. Dave Parker, 1981
641. Ed Kranepool, 1980
642. Mike Scioscia, 1982
643. Lloyd Moseby, 1981 (RC)
644. Terry McGriff, 1988 (RC)
645. Matt Nokes, 1988 (RC)
646. Mike Moore, 1986
647. Randy Johnson, 1989 (RC)
648. Barry Larkin, 1987 (RC)
It's funny about Larkin. He's clearly one of the most overlooked rookies from the heralded 1987 rookie class, and yet he's probably one of the only guys who's a lock for the Hall of Fame.

649. DeWayne Buice, 1988 (RC)
650. Carl Yastzremski, 1982
Speaking of Yaz, for a guy only represented in four sets in the 1980s, he's all over The 792.


Give the Cardboard Junkie a little time, but he'll get the scans up. It'll be worth the wait, oh yes, quite worth it indeed.