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.

Some great things this Monday night:

1. Light snow in the NYC
2. The Iron Man spot during the Super Bowl
3. Another installment of The 792


#551 - 600

551. Carl Yastzremski Super Veteran, 1983
552. Ken Singleton AL AS, 1982
553. Dave Winfield AL AS, 1982
554. Carlton Fisk AL AS, 1982
555. Cecil Cooper, 1981
556. Jack Morris AL AS, 1982
557. Rich Gossage AL AS, 1982
558. Greg Gagne, 1987
559. Ken Williams, 1988 (RC)
560. Rock Raines, 1989
Speaking of Iron Man, after the 1988 season, Tim Raines disappeared into the depths of Montreal's underground city, only to re-emerge four months later as 'Rock.' Cocaine reference? Maybe to you, but to me I always associated his nickname with his appearance.

561. Cardinals Leaders, 1983
562. Bryan Clutterbuck, 1987 (RC)
Why haven't they updated The Magnificent Ambersons yet as The Magnificent Clutterbucks? That's what I want to know.

563. Jose Guzman, 1988
I find it incredible that certain guys work their whole lives for something, only to have it thwarted by things completely out of their control. Poor Jose was destined to be confused with the much superior (and far uglier) Juan Guzman.

564. Ron Hassey, 1981
565. Leon Durham, 1984
566. Alfredo Griffin, 1986
567. David Wells, 1989
568. Willie Hernandez, 1983
569. Willie Randolph, 1982
570. Darryl Strawberry, 1985
571. Billy Ripken, 1989
572. Jack Morris, 1981
573. Jim Abbott #1 Draft Pick, 1989 (RC)
574. Manny Lee, 1987
Just for the record, I had about fifteen of this card.

575. Tony Perez, 1981
576. Frank Robinson, 1983 (MGR)
Have you noticed that Robby's always real close to the camera (and his mouth is open with teeth bared) in his managerial cards? Take a look at his cards from 1975, 1983, and 1989. It's a little unnerving.

577. Blue Jays Team, 1980
578. Bill Gullickson, 1981 (RC)
579. Mets Leaders, 1988
580. Nolan Ryan, 1980
581. Tom Seaver Super Veteran, 1983
582. Gaylord Perry, 1981
583. Junior Ortiz, 1987
584. Kurt Bevacqua, 1980
585. Garry Maddox, 1986
586. Frank Viola, 1983 (RC)
587. Rafael Santana, 1986
588. Luis Alicea, 1989 (RC)
589. Steve Crawford, 1987
590. Jim Palmer, 1980
591. John Lowenstein, 1981
592. Shane Rawley, 1983
593. Broderick Perkins, 1983
594. Bobby Valentine, 1988 (MGR)
595. Keith Hernandez NL AS, 1987
596. Onix Concepcion, 1986
597. Mike Schmidt NL AS, 1987
598. Ozzie Smith NL AS, 1987
599. Tony Gwynn NL AS, 1987
600. Dave Parker NL AS, 1987
Nothing says #600 like Dave Parker in a warm-up jacket. Inexplicably one of my favorite cards.


Scanning for the visual? Cardboard Junkie will help in that department.