1988 Topps

Greetings!

Hope everyone is doing well and had some fun over the Thanksgiving weekend.

While my eldest son is awaiting the results of his 12 (!) college applications, my youngest son has only recently begun thinking of his post-high school life.  I'm not worried; he for sure isn't applying to 12 colleges!

The Wifey took him to New York City back in October to see a school there; when they came back, they had baseball cards for me and the eldest.  They visited a candy store and there were packs there, so they picked up several packs for the 2 of us to split.  

Yeah it was 2 bucks.  It's the thought that counts!

I double-checked the APTBNL roster and was very surprised that a wax pack of 1988 Topps has yet to be opened.  I'll wait while you check!

Here's the wax pack all opened up:

Say no to drugs and be a true superstar, kids!

15 cards and a 37 year old piece of gum per pack.  Here's what my son got:

#729 - Blue Jays Leaders

#713 - Willie Hernandez

#197 - Lance McCullers

I remember being stunned to see the player breakthrough the border on this set.  It was only my second year collecting but I guess I just assumed the shot of the player would stay within the borders.  

#155 - Bruce Sutter

#391 - Kirby Puckett (All Star)

#205 - Nelson Liriano

#52 - Don Robinson

Those All Star subset cards were fun.

Hey, it's an ad for Topps Collector's Edition cards!  Anyone out there get one of these sets?

#240 - Lee Smith

#34 - Ricky Horton

#561 - Rick Cerone

#691 - Dan Pasqua

Lee Smith and Bruce Sutter in the same pack, not bad!

#198 - Franklin Stubbs

#652 - Bruce Benedict

#256 - Ken Schrom

#350 - Will Clark

Ken Schrom's sunset card!

Here are the backs because gum stains:

Since the gum would be in the front of the pack and not the back, I assume Will The Thrill was on the front, and the kid moved him and all the other cards with the backs facing the front to the back of the pack.  No biggie.

Here's my pack, with the cards for sure in right order:

#263 - Glenn Braggs

#397 - Jack Clark (All Star)

#431 - Casey Candaele

#191 - John Cerutti

Candaele with the Topps All Star Rookie Cup for Second Base.  

#564 - Frank Lucchesi (MGR)

#170 - Rich Gossage

#325 - Glenn Hubbard

#103 - Curt Young

Lucchesi managed the last 25 games of the season for the Cubs, replacing Gene Michael.  The team went 8-17, and the Cubs brought in Don Zimmer for the 1988 season.  

#371 - Joe Hesketh

#387 - Willie Randolph (All Star)

#276 - Luis Salazar

There's 792 cards in the set.  Here's the checklist if you need it.

#351 - Cardinals Leaders
#697 - Steve Lombardozzi

#404 - Benito Santiago (All Star)

#424 - Dwayne Murphy

Red Schoendienst making the appearance on the Cardinals Leaders card.  Since they didn't mention this anywhere on the card, young me looked at the card and went "who's this guy?"

Here's the backs because moar gum stains:

Braggs didn't get it as bad as The Thrill.

Anyway, those are the packs.  Not bad at the time, right?

We'll see if I get another post up before the end of the year, but in case I don't, I hope everyone has a great holiday season.  Be safe and happy, and I hope you all get what you wish for this year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...and thanks for reading!