Odd 1982 Topps trend

[Senser81]

The 1982 Topps set was one of the first that I owned as a kid. I knew that "good" cards were guys like George Brett and Steve Garvey, and the Carlton Fisk "In Action" card was probably the best card, but when I flipped the cards over I was fascinated with the guys who had so many years that the font was the smallest size possible, and upon further inspection none of these seasons were with teams I had ever heard of.

Exhibit A: Bob Galasso

It was pointed out that Galasso is actually wearing the 1977 Mariners uniform, thats how infrequently he pitched in 1981. The guy looks like someone's dad pitching in the majors. He must have been in the league for years! Turn the card over, and...

First, you can hardly read it. Second, almost every season is in the minors. Amazing! I'm surprised that icky 1972 season in Lodi didn't derail his career.


Exhibit B: Bob Babcock

I’m struggling to find answers when it comes to Bob Babcock, and here he looks like he was looking for some answers too. He looks so pensive, perhaps worried, maybe even beaten.

Babcock resembles the old veteran who comes back for one more shot at the title. Turn the back of the card over, and...

Awesome! All those years, and then look at his big league career totals and their are only two wins. This guy spent 11 years in the minors before getting the call up. Spent a lot of time in Quebec City, and played for both the Bradenton Pirates and the Bradenton Expos.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I was always annoyed by the minor league stats, too.

I will say this, I preferred the Topps with the tiny font and minor league stats to the Donruss of the same era, which would feature only three years or so of stats. Plus they were printed on weird stock and didn't have that distinctive baseball card "smell".

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I was always annoyed by the minor league stats, too.

I will say this, I preferred the Topps with the tiny font and minor league stats to the Donruss of the same era, which would feature only three years or so of stats. Plus they were printed on weird stock and didn't have that distinctive baseball card "smell".

Wasn't it Donruss that started using this semi-gloss on their cards back then?

 

[Senser81]

I was always annoyed by the minor league stats, too.

I will say this, I preferred the Topps with the tiny font and minor league stats to the Donruss of the same era, which would feature only three years or so of stats. Plus they were printed on weird stock and didn't have that distinctive baseball card "smell".

Donruss' were terrible. It was like they were designed for retarded kids. They were made out of indestructible material that resembled Tyvek, and they had only the last couple years of stats. Pete Rose would have seasons of barely 100 hits, then his career total would be 4000+. Huh?

 

[Senser81]

This was another one of my favorites...

Exhibit C: George Cappuzzello

First, great name. The name is so large that the font on the FRONT of the card is already small. Flip the card over, and...

Great stuff. A very clean card in that his last year was his first year in the majors...so his career totals match that last year. It almost makes it so the preceding 10 seasons are meaningless (which, they are).

I love how he bounced around between Evansville, Montgomery, and Indianapolis. His 1979 season in Indianapolis should prove how worthless the save stat is...17 innings pitched, 24 earned runs, 19 walks, 12.71 ERA...and 4 saves!

 

[Macken]

i believe i have that entire set sitting around somewhere

 

[stevsta]

my dad has a shitload of those cards