INSIDE THE ALBUM: 1987 TOPPS

THE FIRST PAGE: CLEMENS'* K RECORD CARD DESERVEDLY LEADS OFF SET.

This 946-card set (792 base cards, 132 Traded, 22 All-Star glossies) was overproduced, of course, and it should've had positions on the front, but it has significant appeal to me. It was the first set I collected as an adult. Now, as I attempt to put together my first modern set in 17 years and obtain some '87 mini inserts from 2012 packs, it's a good time to turn the pages of the woodies. Top rookie cards include Barry Larkin (No. 648), Ruben Sierra (No. 261), Barry Bonds* (No. 320), Bo Jackson (No. 17), Rafael Palmeiro* (634), Wally Joyner (No. 80) and Will Clark (No. 420). Last player cards are included for Reggie Jackson (Nos. 300 and 52T), Pete Rose (No. 200), Steve Carlton (Nos. 718 and 19T) and Phil Niekro (No. 694). There's also the rookie card of a still-active player, No. 227 Jamie Moyer, who was just waived by the Rockies but with all the pitching injuries surely isn't finished.

THUMBING THROUGH THE SET

LOVE THE DEMPSEY AND VAN SLYKE CARDS.

BILLBOARD'S No. 1 SONG: Walk Like an Egyptian, Bangles.

NIEVES THREW A NO-HITTER AND WALLY WORLD WAS A HIT IN DISNEYLAND.

SONG I MOST IDENTIFY WITH THIS SET: (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party), Beastie Boys.

THE BO CARD IS MY FAVORITE OF THE SET.

NEWS FLASH: Iraqi missiles kill 37 in attack on U.S. frigate Stark in Persian Gulf on May 17. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein says "my bad'' on May 18.

MANY FORGET DRABEK WAS A YANKEE;
"ONE FLAP DOWN'' LEONARD HAD A SCOWL -- AND AN NLCS -- TO REMEMBER.

NEWS FLASH: Klaus Barbie, 73, a Gestapo wartime chief in Lyon, sentenced to life by French court for war crimes on July 4.

THOSE TURN BACK THE CLOCK CARDS MAKE FOR GOOD READING.

NEWS FLASH: Oliver North tells a Congressional inquiry during July 7-10 higher officials approved his secret Iran-Contra operations.

DAVIS WAS HOT, HOT, HOT IN '87; RICKEY AND DONNIE BASEBALL
WERE PRETTY GOOD THEMSELVES.

NEWS FLASH: President Ronald Reagan says Iran arms-Contra policy went astray and accepts responsibility on Aug. 12.

DUDE'S SURFING POSE IS RADICAL; THOSE PIRATES CAPS
 COULD'VE DOUBLED AS AVIARIES. 

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Platoon wins Oscar for Best Picture.

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Higher Love by Steve Winwood wins Record of the Year.

THESE ALL-STAR CARDS POP.

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Graceland by Paul Simon wins Album of the Year.

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: thirtysomething debuts on ABC, departing from typical dramas and featuring analytical and self-absorbed babyboomer characters. 

THERE'S WHITE (RIP) AND THEN THERE'S WHITE (JIMY).

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Wall Street opens on Dec. 11, proving to be slightly ahead of its time. "... The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. ...''

SPORTS FLASH: The Minnesota Twins claim their first World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 in Game 7 on Oct. 25 in which the home team wins every game.

SANTIAGO AND SEITZER HAD MONSTER ROOKIE YEARS.

SPORTS FLASH: The New York Giants defeat the Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super  Bowl XXI on Jan. 25.

SPORTS FLASH: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics 106-93 in Game 6 on June 14 to win the NBA title.

LEFTY WAS WASHED UP; HAWK WAS ANYTHING BUT.

SPORTS FLASH: The Edmonton Oilers defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 in Game 7 on May 31 to win the Stanley Cup.

SPORTS FLASH: The University of Miami caps a 12-0 season with a 20-14  Orange Bowl victory over No. 1 Oklahoma and is voted national champion.

MY KIND OF INSERTS.

1978 TOPPS BUCKY DENT

BUCK WAS SWINGING AWAY IN THE 
SEVENTH INNING ON OCT. 2.

IRONIC HIS '78 CARD RECAPPED HIS FIRST SLAM.

THE FRONT PAGE: Red Sox manager Don Zimmer affectionately gave Dent his colorful middle name, Fuckin', after he lifted one over the Green Monster in the '78 one-game playoff to determine the AL East champion. The three-run homer off Mike Torrez capped an incredible Yankee comeback from 14 1/2 games back in July. With the Red Sox cruising 2-0 in the seventh inning, Dent shattered the dreams of New England with one swing. I can understand the angst. It wasn't Reggie, Chambliss, Munson or Nettles who destroyed its season; it was little ol' Dent, the ninth-hole hitter. I remember coming home from high school to watch the game with my dad. I really didn't care for either team, but the game -- and the season -- was pure theater.


THE BACK PAGE: Not a fan of the '78 backs, but when I complete the set, I've made a promise to myself to give the "Play Ball'' game a whirl.


PHOTO PLAY: Bucky shows off his bunting technique, further infuriating Red Sox fans.


EXTRA, EXTRA: Dent was batting .140 with no home runs in his previous 20 games before the playoff. Before hitting the homer, he fouled a 1-1 pitch off his left leg. He went to the on-deck circle to receive treatment when on-deck hitter Mickey Rivers noticed his bat was cracked. Dent then received one of Mick's bats. Dent hit the next pitch out, giving the Yankees a lead they wouldn't relinquish in winning 5-4. ... Starter Ron Guidry earned the win, his 25th of his Cy Young season. ... The Yankees beat the Royals in four games in the American League Championship Series and the Dodgers in six games in the World Series, where Dent was named MVP after batting .417 and driving in seven. ... Dent hit 40 homers in his 12-year career and was a three-time All-Star. ... After retiring, Dent managed in the Yankees minor leagues and portions of two seasons in New York, going 18-22 in '89 and 18-31 in '90. Interestingly, he was fired as manager at Fenway Park, the scene of his greatest accomplishment. Karma's a bitch. ... When the Green Monster seats were added in '03, Dent attended the first game and sat in a seat near where his homer landed. Surprisingly, Dent was not caned to death and pushed over the wall. ... Operates the Bucky Dent Baseball School in Delray Beach, Fla.

1975 TOPPS WILLIE HORTON

PROTOTYPICAL '70s SLUGGER.

WILLIAM WALLISON COULD OPEN A CAN
 OF WHUP ASS WITH THE BEST OF 'EM. 

THE FRONT PAGE: Horton was and is a tremendously popular player in Detroit. His family moved to Detroit from Virginia when he was 11, and he played sandlot baseball outside Briggs Stadium. He signed with the Tigers at age 18 and ended his career in 1980 with the Mariners with the seventh most home runs by a right-handed hitter (325). 


THE BACK PAGE: Willie is fourth all-time on the Tigers' homer list with 262. ... The old-time player in the cartoon looks like he's holding a needle. ... "William Wallison Horton.'' Kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? 


PHOTO PLAY: A spring training shot, taken at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. ... With that mustache and build, Horton oozed bad-ass. 


EXTRA, EXTRA: Horton became a local legend around Detroit when he homered in a high school championship game at Briggs Stadium (renamed Tiger Stadium in '61). Keep in mind Detroit is the site of some famous blasts: Babe Ruth's 700th, Ted Williams' game-winner in the '41 All-Star Game and Reggie Jackson's jack in the '71 All-Star Game. In '59, Horton as a 16-year-old hit one off the base of the light standard on top of the right-center field roof, basically the same place Reggie hit his. "Willie The Wonder'' was just getting started. ... Used to sneak into games as a youth until he was caught by Indians outfield Rocky Colavito, who then helped him get a part-time job in the clubhouse. As fate would have it, a few years later, after Colavito was traded to the Tigers, Horton would replace him. ... Originally signed as a catcher, Horton was switched to the outfield because the Tigers had recently signed Bill Freehan. ... Became an everyday player in '65, the same year both of his parents were killed in an auto accident on New Year's Day. ... Was often fined by the team for throwing baseballs to kids in left field during pregame. ... Finished second in the AL in homers with 36 and was fourth in batting with a .285 average in '68, when the Tigers won the World Series; he hit .305 against the Cardinals. ... However, it was his assist in left field that some cite as the spark that turned the Series Detroit's way after falling behind three games to one. In Game 5, the Cardinals led 3-2 and were threatening to score more. Lou Brock was headed home on a single when Horton gunned him down on a one-hopper. The Tigers rallied to win and then took the final two games. ... In '75, he was selected Designated Hitter of the Year, hitting 25 homers and driving in 92. ... The team traded Horton to Texas for pitcher Steve Foucault in April '77 because he didn't help rookie outfielder Steve Kemp, a charge Horton denied. ... Again won DH of the Year in '79, along with Comeback Player of the Year, with the Mariners (29 HRs, career-high 106 RBI). ... Welcomed back to the Tigers family in 2000, when he had his No. 23 retired and a statue built alongside Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg and Hal Newhouser at Comerica Park. ... Currently a special assistant to GM Dave Dombrowski.

SAVING A LITTLE FOR THE END

MILES PER HOUR AHEAD OF MOST PITCHERS.

I'm an endurance athlete (competitive cyclist), which makes me completely unqualified to analyze an All-Star major-league pitcher. But I do know a thing or two about the negative split. 


When competing in a time-trial event, the aim is to maintain a pace that allows you to surpass your time on each subsequent lap or interval; hence, the negative split. It takes incredible fitness and discipline to do this, fighting the urge not to start too fast.


This brings me to the Tigers' Justin Verlander.


In his last few starts, I've been in jaw-dropped amazement that he's mastered the negative split concept on the mound. He consistently holds something back on his fastball early and dials it up in later innings when needed.


In a 2-1 loss to the Indians Thursday afternoon, he set game-high speeds of 100, 101 and 102 mph while striking out the side in the eighth inning. It wasn't a fluke. He's done it in other games.


You obviously have to have a God-given arm to throw that hard, but to be able to harness it early on and unleash hell when you really need it late, that's a learned skill and something I can appreciate.


Know the feeling of power in reserve. 

PRICELESS

Do you have a card or piece of memorabilia that you consider priceless, an item you'd never sell regardless of what you could get?


Here's mine: a 1970 Orioles team baseball. 

I bought this at a mall card show in Tampa in the early '90s. I think I paid $80 for it. The dealer didn't know the year, but I knew it was either '69 or '70. I was really hoping it was the latter, because that's my favorite O's team of all time.

(The only difference is hitting coach Charlie Lau was with the '69 Orioles and was replaced by Jim Frey in '70.)

There were 27 signatures when I purchased this ball. One important one was missing, as far as I was concerned: lefty Mike Cuellar. At first, I didn't let it bother me, but I kept remembering my first game I attended at Memorial Stadium. Cuellar started against the A's and I kept cheering for him, yelling "Come on, Clee-are!!''

A couple years after I purchased the ball, Cuellar was appearing at an old-timer's card show that benefited the Baseball Assistance Team. I presented the ball to have him add his long omitted autograph. I remember him taking a lot of time to look it over, convinced he did sign it back in 1970. He then added the signature and my beloved ball was complete.

So what's your priceless sports memorabilia item?

TURN BACK THE CLOCK NIGHT

As I get older, I'm more sensitive to what I can do vs. what I used to be able to do. So when I see older professional athletes continue to play, I cheer. 


While most of you know about the exploits of Jamie Moyer, 49, did you know last night shortstop Omar Vizquel, 45, and reliver Darren Oliver, 41, were in the game at the same time for the Blue Jays?


And it wasn't some sort of old-timer's day event. 


Combined they have 43 major-league seasons and played for 13 teams. Then in the eighth inning, with Oliver pitching, Vizquel robbed the Yankees' Robinson Cano, 29, with a catch of a liner.


Makes me want to turn back the clock and resume collecting baseball cards. Wait a minute, I already do that. Maybe I'm not that old after all.

1967 TOPPS THE CHAMPS

THEIR NAMES SHOULD BE IN YELLOW; 
THE BLACK FADES INTO THE BACKGROUND.

THIRD SACKER IS A COOL TERM.

THE FRONT PAGE: The '67 set had a lot of these theme cards, but none was better than this one, celebrating the Orioles' first Series championship the previous season.


THE BACK PAGE: Interesting how Topps forgot to mention Frank won the Triple Crown.


PHOTO PLAY: As most know, this photo and the '68 Bird Belters photo were taken one after the other. The Bird Belters featured only the Robinsons. ... Brooks looks like he could be the bat boy, doesn't he?


EXTRA, EXTRA: Many point to Frank being the missing ingredient that lifted the O's to the title and he definitely was a huge part, but Bauer really doesn't get enough credit. He was a no-nonsense manager who took over after the '63 season. An ex-Marine and former Yankee, Bauer once pinned Whitey Ford to a wall and said "Don't mess with my money,'' referring to postseason money that he thought Ford and Mickey Mantle were jeopardizing with their off-the-field shenanigans. Bauer played on seven World Series championship teams with the Yankees. A career .277 batter, he hit 164 HRs and drove in 703. ... According to Reds owner Bill DeWitt, Frank was "an old 30,'' explaining why he would trade him to the Orioles for pitchers Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson after the '65 season. The rest is history. He hit .316 with 49 HRs and 122 RBI. He also led the lead in runs (122). During that first season in Baltimore, Frank became the first and only player to slam a ball completely out of Memorial Stadium. He hit two homers and drove in three runs in the four-game sweep of the Dodgers in the Series. ... Brooks was the '66 All-Star Game MVP (going 3-for-4, including a triple off Sandy Koufax) and was second to Frank in AL MVP voting, hitting 23 homers and driving in 100. ... The Robinsons set the tone for the '66 Series by homering back-to-back off Don Drysdale, giving the Birds a 3-0 first-inning lead in Game 1, which they eventually won 5-2. Baltimore would never trail in the series and shut out the Dodgers in the final three games, 6-0, 1-0 and 1-0.