If I may be so bold as to request a few words before I transcribe the next fifty cards of our Eighties homage:

My links section sucks. I've decided to do an overhaul, with the new and improved links section including links to every baseball card related blog and site (non-commercial only) out there. (And yes, I plan on creating an "Approved by The Baseball Card Blog" jpeg for site owners who might want one.)

By the way, if you're not reading Josh Wilker's Cardboard Gods, you're missing out on some of the best writing out there, baseball card or otherwise.


The 792: #651 - 700

651. Rollie Fingers, 1980
652. Mario Mendoza, 1980
653. Kevin Mitchell, 1987 (RC)
Kevin Mitchell was always one of my favorite players. He seemed so bad-ass, it's amazing he didn't segue his career into the wrestling ring, if not for the WWF, then definitely greco-roman style.

654. Roger Craig, 1988 (MGR)
655. Amos Otis, 1984
I always imagined Otis toured with Jethro Tull during the off-season. I mean, can't you see him growing out a baggy mustache, donning bell bottoms and playing the flute?

656. Larvell Blanks, 1980
657. Mike Cubbage, 1981
658. Robby Thompson, 1987 (RC)
659. Brewers Team, 1980
660. Tony Gwynn, 1985
661. Roger Clemens, 1986
This is one of my favorite cards, despite my personal misgivings towards the whole Clemens debacle. I saw a stack of this card at a show last weekend and came very close to emptying my wallet for it... all $6 that was in it. Man, remember when this was $3 a card?

662. Frank DiPino, 1987
I don't need to consult the Mob Nickname Generator for Frank DiPino. I already know it's 'The Lip.'

663. Angels Future Stars, 1980 (RC)
664. Gil Hodges Turn Back the Clock 1969, 1989
665. Don Mattingly, 1985
666. Tigers Leaders, 1984
667. Royals Future Stars, 1980 (RC)
668. Dale Murphy, 1982
669. Ron Cey, 1986
670. Jose Cruz, 1987
671. A's Future Stars, 1980 (RC)
672. Mariners Team, 1981
673. Jim Kaat Super Veteran, 1983
674. Pat Tabler, 1986
675. Jim Rice, 1988
676. Brian Giles, 1984
677. Dave Schmidt, 1989
678. Astros Future Stars, 1980 (RC)
679. Dodgers Team, 1981
680. Andre Dawson, 1983
681. Mets Future Stars, 1980 (RC)
682. Jimmy Key, 1988
683. Marty Barrett, 1984 (RC)
684. Cardinals Future Stars, 1980 (RC)
685. Bert Blyleven, 1982
686. Doyle Alexander, 1987
687. Alan Trammell, 1987
688. Kiko Garcia, 1981
689. Red Sox Future Stars, 1981 (RC)
690. Ryan Sandberg, 1986
691. Dave Parker, 1987
692. Rawly Eastwick, 1980
693. Steve Howe, 1981 (RC)
694. Sparky Lyle Super Veteran, 1983
695. Carlton Fisk, 1989
696. Pirates Leaders, 1982
697. Ed Lynch, 1987
The 792 wouldn't be complete without this card of Ed Lynch.

698. Brad Komminsk, 1986
699. Lee Smith, 1983
700. Eddie Murray, 1985
A vertical ring of hair: The Maddox. A horizontal ring of hair? The Murray.