1988 Topps

40 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Matt Kuzma and David McEllis

Every card has a story to tell. In this 700+ episode series, Matt Kuzma and David McEllis discuss a different 1988 Topps baseball card every week. Send your questions and suggestions to 1988ToppsPodcast@gmail.com.

Don Mattingly (#2/300/386)
#230
Yesterday at 2:07 PM

Plain and simple, he had the best-known name, face, and sideburns of 1980s baseball and baseball cards.

Base card #300

https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/1082/1988-topps-300-don-mattingly_53873452

Record Breakers #2

https://marketplace.beckett.com/cardgallery_900/item/1988-topps-2-don-mattingly-rb_62538603

All Star #386 on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225908282343

World of Baseball Don Mattingly - https://baseballcards.substack.com/p/1988-topps-world-of-baseball-don 

SABR Bio by James Lincoln Ray - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Don-Mattingly/

Don’s HOF Case at MLB https://www.mlb.com/news/don...


Moose Haas (#606)
#229
06/25/2025

Of all the celebrities named Moose, the most famous is probably the actor / Jack Russell Terrier who played Eddie on Frasier. RIP

Card #606 on Beckett

https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/1082/1988-topps-tiffany-606-moose-haas_66153931

SABR Bio by Dennis Degenhardt - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/moose-haas/ 

Hall of Fame Card Corner 1981 Moose Haas - https://baseballhall.org/discover/CardCorner-1981-Topps-Moose-Haas

1985 UPI Article about Moose- https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/07/01/Off-the-field-Bryan-Edmond-Moose-Haas-is-a/1092489038400/ 

Game Used Jersey - https://www.memorabilia.expert/shop/1987-moose-haas-game-worn-as-jersey/ 


1982 ALCS Don Baylor Grand Slam - htt...


Charlie O'Brien (#566)
#228
06/19/2025

Little known fact: Tina Turner originally wanted to write a song called "Personal Catcher" about backups who create that trusted relationship with ace pitchers, but she couldn't get the lyrics to fit her melody. She went with "Private Dancer" instead, and the rest is history.

Card 566 on Beckett

https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/900/1988-topps-566-charlie-obrien-rc_27922483

Charlie’s Sabr Bio by Steve West https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/charlie-obrien/ 

Brian Boru

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Boru 

Charlie’s SI Cover https://www.autographwarehouse.com/images/products/detail...


Gene Garber (#597)
#227
06/08/2025

Welcome to Season 6 of the 1988 Topps Podcast!

In 1932, Australian farms were threatened by an increase in the population of the emu, a large flightless bird. The Australian military tried to cull the flocks of emus for 40 days, but ultimately failed in a debacle that would come to be known as The Great Emu War.

#597 on Beckett

https://www.beckett.com/baseball/1988/topps-tiffany/597-gene-garber-3915858

SABR Bio by Dan Massey

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Gene-Garber/

Garber irked by modern game

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/baseball/mlb...


Mike Fiore (#38T)
#226
05/12/2025

When ... the ...

Card has a guy that looks like all of the guys, that's Fiore (that's Fiore)

When the card of the day comes from Team U.S.A. that's Fiore (that's Fiore)

Bells will ring for the Pope ting-a-ling-a-ling and you'll sing "Vita bella"

He's a Sox fan at heart, and to us that means he's quite a fella!

* Card 38T on eBay

* Induction video into College Baseball Hall of Fame and Mike's speech

* Mike interviewed about his experiences in Omaha

* Greatest 21...


Jeff Musselman (#229)
#225
05/06/2025

This All-Star Rookie had his life saved by a call to the pen, er, apartment.

Card 229 on Beckett

https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/1036/1988-topps-229-jeff-musselman_44463551

SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jeff-musselman/

Jeff at Harvard talking about sobriety

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1993/11/2/come-back-to-life-sobriety-and/

The Fall of '87

https://garejoyce2022.substack.com/p/the-fall-of-87-and-the-fail-of-2017

M.U.S.C.L.E.

http://blog.uofmuscle.com/34574/what-is-a-muscle-figure/

The Jersey Devil

https://pinelandsalliance...


Jeff Ballard (#782)
#224
04/29/2025

This Stanford grad from Montana had one good season on the mound in Baltimore -- then had a change of plans after a snowy night in Idaho.

Card 782 on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156065903677

Watch the Diamond King now! https://www.thediamondkingmovie.com/ 

Listen to Cement City about Donora, PA - https://www.cementcity.org/ 

SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jeff-ballard/ 

Ballard in Montana - https://www.montanaseniornews.com/jeff-ballard/

Ballard’s double ball found - https://www.forbe...


Ken Griffey (#443)
#223
04/24/2025

The third-best baseball player of all time born in Donora, PA.

* Card 443 on Beckett

* SABR Bio by Charles F. Faber

* Braves at Mets, Apr. 11, 1987

* Donora Smog Disaster

* Grandma's Reds Scorebook Griffey entries

*Reds 1976 All-Star Game highlights

* Griffey wins the 1980 ASG MVP

* Father-Son back to back jacks

* Ken and Buddy

* Stan and Ken and Donora, PA



Todd Benzinger (#96)
#222
04/06/2025

Although the 1987 rookie season for "Benz" was a good one, there is no proof that he was the inspiration for the 1988 No. 1 hit "Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles.


* Card 96 on Beckett

* Sabr Bio by Bill Nowlin

* Catching up with ⁠Benz

* Todd Benzinger 1987 Highlight video

* Benzinger hits a big homer in 1988

* Todd catches the final out of 1990 World Series


Chili Davis (#15/32T)
#221
04/01/2025

Legendary artist Dick Perez and filmmaker Marq Evans join the pod to talk about their new movie "The Diamond King" along with Dick's favorite Donruss Diamond King card, the 1995 Chili Davis.

* Card 15 on Beckett

* Card 32T on Beckett

* Watch The Diamond King, opening April 25, 2025!

* Diamond King trailer

* SABR Bio by Rory Costello

* Chili signs with the Angels in 1987

* 1991 World Series Homer

* JD Davis: "Chili is my Dog"

* Chili Bowl Mullet Man at the Video Store


Lloyd McClendon (#172)
#220
03/23/2025

True, Lloyd McClendon holds the all-time single series record for batting average and on-base percentage in a playoff series. But his Little League World Series performance makes that look like child's play.

Plus: MLB needs to stop caving to pathetic authoritarians who would like to paint over baseball history in a ugly shade of white.

* Card 220 on Beckett

* The story of Legendary Lloyd in SI

* Full video of the 1971 LLWS Final!

* Valpo Mag on Lloyd

* Indiana story on Lloyd

* Grandma's Scorebook: First Game, First Hit<...


Cookie Rojas (#97T)
#219
03/20/2025

A managerial rookie card! This Cuban national played every field position and was an All-Star in both leagues. Definitely not a bozo.


* Buy Me a Coffee, especially when we're sick

* Card #97T on Beckett

* SABR Bio by Peter Gordon

* The questionable hats

* Stathead Search: WAR 2B 1971-1973

* Gene Mauch talks about Cookie

* Cookie and His Cupcakes: Mathilda

* Cookie's 1972 All-Star Homer

* Cookie shoves an ump


Bob Melvin (#41)
#218
03/05/2025

This catcher and future manager was great on defense, but he really hit for power when tubers were on the line.

* Card 41 on Beckett

* Star Union Spirits

* SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen

* The State: $240 worth of pudding

* Nice catch, questionable announcing???

* Bob's childhood friends reflect


Guy Hoffman (#496)
#217
02/27/2025

James from the "Remember That Guy" podcast joins to answer a simple question:

How good of a Guy can Guy be so he can be a "Guy" while not being too good to be a "Guy?"

* Card 496 on Beckett

* Remember That Guy

* Episode with David and Matt

* Mike Lange highlights

* Guy inducted into local Hall of Fame

* Joe Labek and his 40 K game

* 1980 Topps Guy Hoffman Future Star

* Grandma's Scorebook and Marilyn Monroe connection!

* Guy and Guyette numbers retired<...


Dave Palmer (#732/79T)
#216
02/17/2025

It wasn't officially a *perfect* game, but it was still simply irresitible.

* Card 732 on Beckett

* Card 79T on Beckett

* SABR Bio by Norm King

* Palmer's Perfect* Game SABR Game Story

* 15 of 15 Cardinals outs of the game

* Dave Palmer Day!

* Braves/Mets Brawl

* Face Plant


Buddy Bell (#130/13T)
#215
02/10/2025

In a discussion of famous people named "Buddy," your hosts somehow forgot the most famous Buddy of the 1980's, 1985 Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator (and coach of some other teams) Buddy Ryan.

*Card 130 on eBay

*Card 13T on eBay

* SABR Bio byJoe Wancho

* Buddy Miles"Them Changes"

* Buddy Bell asks "What Would Gus Do"

* Carbo vs Bellscrappin'

*Hall of Fame Card Corner - 1986 Topps

*Levi Weaver case for Buddy in the Hall

* 3Bunderrepresentedin the Hall

* Stathead Search:1978-1984 Position Players...


Mike Marshall (#249)
#214
01/29/2025

Jeff Snider of Locked on Dodgers returns to the show to discuss his first favorite player growing up — a power hitter we're sure you'll go Head Over Heels for.

Card 249 on Beckett SABR Bio by Bill Nowlin Buffalo Grove baseball Mike and Belinda, a love story Baseball Boogie Mike starts a brawl Mike's 1988 World Series homer


Steve Farr (#222)
#213
01/19/2025

Author Marshall Garvey joins us to talk about this blue-collar reliever who changed baseball history with one flap of his butterfly wings. Check out the new book!

Interstate '85: The Royals, The Cardinals and the Show-Me World Series

Card 222 on Beckett Marshall Garvey on the web and Bluesky Steve's profile on Outerbanks Coastal Life HOF Card Corner: 1993 Fleer Ultra Royals Review: 100 Greatest Royals Farr vs. Barfield, Game 3 1985 ALCS Stathead Search: 1990-1992 Relievers by WAR - (90+% of games as Reliever)


Ray Searage (#788)
#207
01/13/2025

This well-traveled reliever and pitching coach had a mustache fit for the OK Corral.

Card 788 on Beckett Follow-up: Chet's headfirst dives Follow-up: Gary's $1,000,000 slam Follow-up: Meineke Where was Rodney Dangerfield born? MILB Interview with Ray Ray discussed in 1989 LA Times Stathead Search: Best WAR, Under 45 innings 2017 USA Today about Ray Ray's thank you to Pittsburgh in the Athletic


Gary Roenicke (#523)
#211
01/05/2025

Rejected rhymes include finicky, panicky, and the slant rhyme monarchy.

Card 523 on Beckett Buy Me a Coffee 2nd Two Strike Noise Ep with David SABR Bio by Steve Myers HOF Card Corner Gary’s facemask John Lowenstein’s 1982 Fleer Earl Weaver’s 1982 curtain call Gary makes an ALCS grab! Gary’s homer makes a million bucks!   Hall of Fame Platoon Partners


Chet Lemon (#366)
#210
12/29/2024

MVP, All-Star, and Hall of Fame voters rarely gave Chet his due, but we here at the 1988 Topps Podcast bleed Lemon red.

Card 366 on Beckett SABR Bio by Mike McClary Hall of Fame Card Corner Chet helps the Baseball Bunch Video Honoring the 1984 Tigers Chet and Alan Trammel reunite Chet’s World Series Snag Chet and his ⁠illness⁠ Video about Chet’s ⁠aphasia⁠ Chet Lemon Foundation Out of the Park Baseball


Dave Stewart (#476)
#209
12/08/2024

Jeff from Two Strike Noise joins to talk about the coolest card in the 1998 Topps set.

Card 476 on Beckett SABR Bio by Bryan Lake Two Strike Noise Podcast and YouTube SI Article about Stew from 1987 Dave Stewart and Sandy Koufax 1981 Interview in Christian Science Monitor Stew vs Saxy Boy No. 34 Retired Stathead Search: Wins for pitchers aged 30-33


Stan Jefferson (#223)
#208
12/03/2024

This outfielder from the Bronx had a first career marred by injury, and a second one marred by terrorism.

Card #223 on Beckett SABR Bio by Armand Peterson 88 Topps Blog on Card 223 FOX Sports bio of Stan Stan jukes the tag Follow-up: Chili Buns


Larry Parrish (#490)
#206
11/25/2024

The Beach Boys' original lyric, "I wish they all could be Quebecois girls" was rejected out of hand.

Card #490 on Beckett SABR Bio by Norm King Card #490 on 88 Topps Blog Beard Larry retires from the Mud Hens Larry and Elvis Larry inducted into International League HOF



Eddie Milner (#677)
#207
11/25/2024

For a record five times in his career, this speedy outfielder was the only thing preventing his team from losing in a no-hitter.

Card #677 on Beckett SABR Bio by John Wickline Card #677 on 88 Topps Blog Columbus Dispatch article about Eddie Reds post honoring Eddie One-hitter facts Grandma's Scorebook entry Eddie's first homer Eddie and Ron Oester trick the Wizard Eddie makes Harry Carey cry RIP Eddie Milner 1955-2015


Fernando Valenzuela (#780/489)
#205
11/11/2024

"Valenzuelunacy" was first proposed, but just never had the right ring to it.

Card 780 on Beckett Card 487 on Beckett NY Times Obituary Obituary by Jay Jaffe for Fangraphs SABR Article about Fernandomania Screwball science "El Pitcher Valenzuela" song Vin and Fernando throw out the first pitch Mike Scioscia speaks at Fernando's funeral LAist story about Chavez Ravine


Jeff Stone (#154)
#204
10/28/2024

This outfielder stole a record 123 bases in a single season in the minors, but in the majors he had trouble getting up to speed.

Card 154 on Beckett SABR Bio by David E. Skelton Blue Jays vs. Red Sox, Sept. 28, 1990 on YouTube "Field of Broken Dreams" by Andrew Miller


John Mitchell (#207)
#203
10/24/2024

Wear a life jacket.

Card 207 on Beckett SABR Bio by Skip Nipper The Jimmy Fund game 2009 SI Article on the accident by Jeff Pearlman Greatest 21 Days profile Check out the blog! Check out our friends at Ordinary Effort


Dale Sveum (#592)
#202
10/14/2024

This mild-mannered shortstop and World Series-winning coach was accidentally shot in the head by Robin Yount.

Card 592 on Beckett SABR Bio by Bill Pruden Dale hits a homer to extend The Streak Dale's injury and recovery Hunting mishap with Yount Interview with Dale about that Easter Sunday game


Rafael Belliard (#221)
#201
10/07/2024

This defensive specialist made a successful return to home run hitting after 10+ years away from dingers. No word yet on how this may have inspired the return of Oasis.

Card #221 on Beckett SABR Bio by Joe Cox Baseball Hall Card Corner - 1990 Fleer Belliard on Battery Power Blog Home Run #2!! Rafael injury shows epic range (thanks @1992Pirates)


Jim Abbott (#1T)
#200
09/23/2024

In an alternate universe episode of Boy Meets World, Nails beats up Mr. Feeny and teaches Cory to dip.

It's Episode #200! Our show has finally crossed the Mendoza Line for Podcasts. Thank you for listening!

Card #1T on Beckett Follow-Up: Larry Bird is good at baseball, too SABR Bio by Rick Swaine Jim's highlight reel Baseball America Abbott's No Hitter Baseball Hall's Scouting Reports Jim's TED Talk Boy Meets Jim NYT: Jim, "A Most Extraordinary Fella"


Mike Flanagan (#623)
#199
09/16/2024

This crafty left-hander got schooled by Dr. J in college, but he won a Cy Young and a ring thanks to some Orioles Magic.

Card 623 on Beckett SABR Bio by Mike Huber AP Story about Mike's passing Camden Chat about Mike Tim Kurkjian remembers Mike Flanagan Mike's booth partners remember him 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline


Jose Cruz (#278)
#198
09/12/2024

Adam Darowski of Sports Reference joins the show to discuss one of the most underrated outfielders of the 1980s.

Card 278 on Beckett SABR Bio by Jane Schupmann Hewitt Baseball Hall Card Corner - 1975 Topps #514 Jose's Puerto Rican League Stats Stathead Search: Position Players by WAR, 1975-1986 Follow Adam on Twitter Building the Ballot Podcast


Wallace Johnson (#228)
#197
08/25/2024

Beware! The mascots of Jamestown, NY will become the mascots of your nightmares!

Card 228 on Beckett Yippee Yuppi JJ Jammer Gary Sports Hall of Fame Sycamores Hall of Fame Cooperstowners in Canada interview Wallace's biggest hit His first home run Breaking up a perfect game


Glenn Hoffman (#202)
#196
08/19/2024

What present do you get for the Dad who seems to have everything? A contract rider for a sweet performing gig!

Card #202 on ⁠Beckett⁠ SABR Bio by ⁠Clayton Trutor ⁠More by ⁠Clayton ⁠Ed sings the ⁠anthem⁠ Glenn's 1980 ⁠highlights⁠ Glenn's ⁠1981 Topps card⁠ Trevor Hoffman's story on ⁠ESPN⁠


Kevin Seitzer (#275)
#195
08/15/2024

Both club soda and seltzer are types of water that are carbonated by injection, with club soda having some additional added salts like sodium chloride and disodium phosphate. Mineral water, however, is naturally carbonated and must contain 250 parts per million of dissolved solids from the source.

Card #275 on ⁠Beckett⁠ SABR Bio by ⁠Paul Hoffman⁠ Stathead Search: ⁠1980's Rookie Seasons by WAR⁠ 6 hits in a game⁠ Bo Knows ⁠Choke Slams ⁠Kevin wins ⁠2023 Coach of the Year⁠


Jim Gott (#127)
#194
08/04/2024

Unused puns from this episode:

Something's Gotta Give

Gottem

Winning an EGOT(T)

Caramel, chocolate and nouGott

Card 127 on Beckett Followup: Jayden Fielder signs with Milwaukee Gott vs Teufel 1992 Pinnacle Jumpkick! 2018 NY Times about Jim's family Jim and Danny play catch in 2020 2023 Interview with Jim The Farmer Danny Show


Cecil Fielder (#618)
#193
07/29/2024

There was a time when 50 homers in a season was a very big deal. That was the time of the very big Cecil Fielder.

Card #618 on Beckett SABR Bio by David Bilmes Cecil and Sparky Cecil is remade in Japan Cecil roofs #41 Cecil hits out #50 Stathead Search: Most homers, 1990-1996 Lucky Gravy Cecil steals a base!


Billy Hatcher (#306)
#191
07/22/2024

This speedy outfielder went .750/.800/1.250 in a victorious World Series. Then, two years later, he laid an egg.

SABR Bio by Justin Nowell Billy’s 1986 NLCS Homer Billy and Dave Smith's corked bat Reds Hot Billy goes 3-3 in 1990 World Series Game 1 Billy goes 4-4 in World Series Game 2 Billy’s World Series bat at the ⁠⁠HOF⁠⁠ Games Done Quick: Speedrun of Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg


Rick Rhoden (#185)
#191
07/15/2024

In 1986, the top player in terms of WAR in the National League was Mike Scott. #2 was Rick Rhoden. What?


Card 185 on Beckett SABR Bio By Paul Hofman Rick fights former teammate/1st Base Coach Rick in Daytona Beach Rick in Florida Sports Hall of Fame Rick on the PGA Tour