Opening Cello Pack #1

It’s been a while since I opened any packs of 1987 Topps to add to my set build. These next 24 cello packs I’ll be opening were purchased from eBay on July 6, 2024. Each cello pack contains 31 cards plus one stick of bubble gum and sold for $0.69 in 1987. I need 145 more cards to complete my hand built set, trying to do it solely with purchased wax packs, rack packs, cello packs and soon some jumbo packs. Here is cello pack #1:

511 - Steve Lyons, Chicago White Sox

* 784 - Cal Ripken, Baltimore Orioles (Hall of Fame)

92 - Urbano Lugo, California Angels CORRECTED  (Trademark on front next to logo)

563 - John Stefero, Baltimore Orioles

353 - Ernie Camacho, Cleveland Indians

710 - Gary Gaetti, Minnesota Twins

653 - Kevin Mitchell, New York Mets (Rookie)

138 - Roy Lee Jackson, Minnesota Twins

461 - Steve Ontiveros, Oakland Athletics

475 - Scott Garrelts. San Francisco Giants

737 - Floyd Bannister, Chicago White Sox

420 - Will Clark, San Francisco Giants (Rookie)

605 - Todd Worrell, St. Louis Cardinals All-Star / League Leaders 

334 - Ed Correa, Texas Rangers (Rookie)

619 - Jerry Reed, Seattle Mariners

* 241 - Danny Heep, New York Mets

638 - Rich Bordi, Baltimore Orioles

405 - Brook Jacoby, Cleveland Indians

393 - Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds Manager / Team Checklist

155 - Eddie Whitson, San Diego Padres

13 - Nick Esasky, Cincinnati Reds

* 351 - Gene Garber. Atlanta Braves

434 - Mike Fischlin, New York Yankees

467 - Randy St. Claire, Montreal Expos

43 - Gene Michaels, Chicago Cubs Manager / Team Checklist

358 - Sal Butera, Cincinnati Reds

* 466 - Kal Daniels, Cincinnati Reds

* 348 - Carmelo Martinez, San Diego Padres

86 - Nate Snell, Baltimore Orioles

209 - Rick Schu, Philadelphia Phillies

440 - Willie McGee, St. Louis Cardinals

* - Cards needed for my set.

Card Highlights

#784 Cal Ripken (Hall of Fame)

#653 Kevin Mitchelll (Rookie)

#420 Will Clark (Rookie)

#393 Pete Rose Manager / Checklist

Cello pack #1 was great, pulled my favorite player in Will Clark and a Hall of Fame in Cal Ripken. This pack had 5 cards I needed for my 1987 Topps build, bringing my total to 652 of 792 (82.3%) of the cards to finish the set. Stay tuned for cello pack #2.

On This Date - May 13, 1976: George Brett

The backs of trading cards are often times just as interesting or even more interesting than the fronts of trading cards. Along with the usual biographical / personal info and stats there is sometimes trivia and fun facts as well. In 1987, Topps included on some cards trivia about the player and a this day in history type section called “On This Date”. In this special feature I’m going to highlight those “On This Date” facts. The next “On This Date” feature comes from the back of Allan Anderson’s (#336) 1987 Topps card. 

May 13, 1976

“George Brett collected 3 hits in 6th consecutive game for Royals. George’s 1976 Topps card was #19.”

The consecutive game streak began on May 8, 1976 at the Baltimore Orioles. During the streak Brett went 18-26 (.692 batting average) with a double, a homerun, 4 runs batted in, 9 runs scored and 2 bases on balls. The Royals were 5-1 during the streak. 

Source(s): Baseball Reference, Trading Card Database

Random 1987 Topps Card: #63 Fred Toliver

The Random 1987 Topps Card will be a regular feature here, hoping 2-3 times per week will be doable along with the other things I have planned. I will use a random number generator to select the random card. My goal is to do this for the complete 792 card set plus the Topps Traded set along with the various insert sets, etc. 

Fred Toliver (Freddie Toliver)

Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right     Throws: Right
Height: 6’1”     Weight: 165
Born: February 3, 1961 in Natchez, Mississippi

Draft: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1979 MLB June Amateur Draft from San Gorgonio HS (San Bernardino, CA)
Major League Debut: September 15, 1984 versus Los Angeles Dodgers (Boxscore)
Final Major League Game: July 4, 1993 versus Cincinnati Reds (Boxscore)
Major League Teams: Cincinnati Reds (1984), Philadelphia Phillies (1985-1987), Minnesota Twins (1988-1989), San Diego Padres (1989), Pittsburgh Pirates (1993)

The Card: 1987 Topps #63 - Standard classic baseball standing pose.  

The 1987 Season: The 1987 season was Toliver’s third and last season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Toliver appeared in 10 games during the season, with a 1-1 win-loss record and a 5.64 earned run average in 30.1 innings pitched. He struck out 25 and walked 17. 

Trivia (card back): None

Fred Toliver Fun Fact: He played with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League from 1994-1996. Compiling an 18-19 win-loss record and a 3.50 earned run average in 47 appearances. 

Source(s): Baseball Reference, Trading Card Database

Custom Cards: Fernando Valenzuela

Along with posting about real cards, I like to dabble in creating my own electronic (I don’t print them) trading cards. I created this card shortly after Fernando Valenzuela passed away on October 22, 2024. Today (November 1, 2024) would have been his 64th birthday. 

So here is my tribute to Fernando Valenzuela using the 2024 Topps Heritage White Bordered variation as inspiration. I’ve color matched the team name with a team color.

Random 1987 Topps Card: #131 Pirates Leaders

Here is the next card in my Random 1987 Topps Card series, my first Team Leaders card and my second one of the day!

The Card: 1987 Topps #131 - Pirates Leaders card featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates 1986 Team Leaders. The two players featured on the front of the card are Sid Bream (left) and Tony Pena (right). The Pirates had a record of 64-98, finishing 6th in the National League East in the 1986 season. 

The 1987 Season: The Pirates had a better season in 1987 than they did in 1986. They had a record of 80-82, finishing 4th in the National League East. 

Batting Leaders (1986)

Runs ... Sid Bream ... 73
Hits ... Johnny Ray ... 174
Doubles ... Sid Bream ... 37
Triples ... Joe Orsulak ... 6
Home Runs ... Jim Morrison ... 23
Runs Batted In ... Jim Morrison ... 88
Stolen Bases ... Barry Bonds ... 36
Batting Average ... Johnny Ray ... .301

Pitching Leaders (1986)

Games ... Pat Clements ... 65
Innings ... Rick Rhoden ... 253 2/3
Wins ... Rick Rhoden ... 15
Strikeouts ... Rick Rhoden ... 159
Complete Games ... Rick Rhoden ... 12
Earned Run Average ... Rick Rhoden ... 2.84
Shutouts ... Rick Reuschel ... 2
Saves ... Don Robinson ... 15

#131 Pirates Leaders Back

Source(s): Trading Card Database

The Random 1987 Topps Card will be a regular feature here, hoping 2-3 times per week will be doable along with the other things I have planned. I will use a random number generator to select the random card. My goal is to do this for the complete 792 card set plus the Topps Traded set along with the various insert sets, etc. 

Random 1987 Topps Card: #295 Len Dykstra

The Random 1987 Topps Card will be a regular feature here, hoping 2-3 times per week will be doable along with the other things I have planned. I will use a random number generator to select the random card. My goal is to do this for the complete 792 card set plus the Topps Traded set along with the various insert sets, etc. 

Len Dykstra (Lenny Dykstra)
Team: New York Mets
Position: Outfield
Bats: Left     Throws: Left
Height: 5’10”     Weight: 160
Born: February 10, 1963 in Santa Ana, California 
Major League Debut: May 3, 1985 versus Cincinnati Reds (Boxscore) 
Final Major League Game: May 18, 1996 versus Los Angeles Dodgers (Boxscore)

Major League Teams: New York Mets (1985-1989), Philadelphia Phillies (1989-1996)

Nickname: Nails and Dude

The Card: 1987 Topps #295 - It appears Dykstra is taking a lead off third base and the pitcher has delivered the ball as he is looking down the third base line towards home plate.

The 1987 Season: The 1987 season was Dykstra’s third playing for the New York Mets. He played in 132 games for them that season with 479 plate appearances. He batted .285 (123 hits in 431 at-bats) with 37 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home runs, 43 runs batted in, 27 stolen bases, 40 bases on balls, 67 strikeouts with a .352 on base percentage and .455 slugging percentage. 

Trivia (card back): Len’s grandfather and uncle played NHL hockey. ON THIS DATE: September 27, 1982: Alan Ashby belted HR from both sides of plate in game for Astros. Alan’s 1982 Topps card was #433.

Len Dykstra Fun Fact: In 1993, he set the Major League record for most plate appearances in a season by a left-hander with 773. 

Notable MLB Career Achievements: World Series Champion (1986), 3-Time National League All-Star (1990, 1994-1995), Silver Slugger Award (1993), National League Player of the Month (May 1994), National League Player of the Week (July 13, 1986; June 30, 1990; May 15, 1994).

#295 Len Dykstra Back

Source(s): Baseball Almanac, Baseball Reference, Trading Card Database

Custom Cards: 2024 World Series Subset

Along with posting about real cards, I like to dabble in creating my own electronic (I don’t print them) trading cards. I thought the World Series themed cards from the past were cool so here is my tribute to the 2024 World Series using the 1975 Topps World Series subset and the 2024 Topps Heritage World Series subset as inspiration. Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers on their 2024 World Series victory over the New York Yankees. The Yankees had a great shot to win game five and force a game six but a disastrous 5th inning doomed the Yankees, losing 7-6 to the Dodgers. 

Freddie Freeman wins with a walk-off home run to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 1-0 series lead.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches 6 1/3, giving up 1 earned run and striking out 4 to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-0 series lead.

Walker Buehler pitches 5 innings, giving up no runs and striking out 5 to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-0 series lead.

Anthony Volpe drives in 4 with a grand slam, helping the New York Yankees stave off elimination in Game 4, forcing a Game 5.

Mookie Betts breaks a 6-6 tie with a sacrifice fly in the 8th inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2024 World Series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers win their 8th World Series in team history. 

Freddie Freeman wins the 2024 World Series Most Valuable Player award. 

On This Date - July 13, 1973: Hal Breeden

The backs of trading cards are often times just as interesting or even more interesting than the fronts of trading cards. Along with the usual biographical / personal info and stats there is sometimes trivia and fun facts as well. In 1987, Topps included on some cards trivia about the player and a this day in history type section called “On This Date”. In this special feature I’m going to highlight those “On This Date” facts. My first “On This Date” feature comes from the back of Craig Lefferts (#501) 1987 Topps card. 

July 13, 1973

Hal Breeden delivered pinch-HR in both games of a doubleheader for Expos. Hal’s 1973 Topps card was #173. 

In the first game of the doubleheader, Hal pinch hit for center fielder Boots Day in the seventh inning. With nobody on and one out, he hit his 6th home run of the season off Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom House. The Expos won 11-7. 

In the second game of the doubleheader, Hal pinch hit for pitcher Tom Walker in the eighth inning. With two runners on and no outs, he hit his 7th home run of the season off Atlanta Braves pitcher Danny Frisella. The Braves won 15-6. 

Source(s): Baseball Reference, Trading Card Database

Has It Been That Long, Well I’m Back!

As it happens many too times, life got in the way of my card collecting and blogging about it. I haven’t posted since July of this year! Well, I’ve made my way back to My 1987 Topps Project … and maybe Donruss, Fleer and Sportflics blog. A few months ago I bought a lot of 24 cello packs on eBay that I still need to open and and try and finish up my hand collated 1987 Topps set, so look for that. I will also be posting random stuff about the cards and players that make up the 1987 Topps set as well as the various subsets, insert sets, mail-in sets, parallel sets, etc. associated with it from 1987. There will also be some Donruss, Fleer and Sportflics stuff thrown in as well as tidbits from different years of trading cards collecting. This will all be integrated in with facts and tidbits from the 1987 Major League Baseball season. Thanks for stopping by and check back soon and often!

Flea Market Wax Pack #6

So a few days ago I was in Fort Collins, Colorado (I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming) and went into a flea market / antique store. I am usually on the lookout for something baseball or Disney related and this time I found something. Inside a case were six packs of 1987 Topps. I was going to just grab one because they were a bit pricey at $5 a pack but I just couldn't leave the other five packs there. So worse case scenario I have a little fun opening packs and I add a few cards to my set build of 1987 Topps.

Here is wax pack #6:

140 - Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City Royals

208 - John Shelby, Baltimore Orioles

254 - Bob Tewksbury, New York Yankees (Rookie)

458 - Kelly Gruber, Toronto Blue Jays

270 - Jody Davis, Chicago Cubs

453 - Scott Terry, Cincinnati Reds (Rookie)

331 - Mets Leaders TL

201 - John Cangelosi, Chicago White Sox (Rookie)

520 - Jack Clark, St. Louis Cardinals

545 - Buddy Bell, Cincinnati Reds

572 - Pete Ladd, Seattle Mariners

114 - Billy Beane, Minnesota Twins

715 - Bob Dernier, Chicago Cubs

561 - Rey Quinones, Seattle Mariners (Rookie)

448 - Chris Bosio, Milwaukee Brewers (Rookie)

459 - Dennis Eckersly, Chicago Cubs (Hall of Fame)

610 - Jim Rice, Boston Red Sox All-Star / League Leaders (Hall of Fame)

* - Needed for my set.

Card Highlights

#140 Bret Saberhagen

#459 Dennis Eckersley (Hall of Fame)

#520 Jack Clark

#610 Jim Rice All-Star / League Leaders (Hall of Fame)

This pack seemed to have quite a few doubles from the previous 5 packs. Pulled another Bret Saberhagen (I used to collect him as a teenager) and Jack Clark (I like the action shot) plus two Hall of Famers in Dennis Eckersley and Jim Rice. This pack contained no cards I needed for my set build so I am still at 647 of the 792 (81.2%) of the cards to finish the set. 

This is the last pack of the six wax packs I bought at the Antique Store / Flea Market. I did recently purchase 24 cello packs of 1987 Topps on eBay so look out for those posts.

Flea Market Wax Pack #5

So a few days ago I was in Fort Collins, Colorado (I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming) and went into a flea market / antique store. I am usually on the lookout for something baseball or Disney related and this time I found something. Inside a case were six packs of 1987 Topps. I was going to just grab one because they were a bit pricey at $5 a pack but I just couldn't leave the other five packs there. So worse case scenario I have a little fun opening packs and I add a few cards to my set build of 1987 Topps.

Here is wax pack #5:

366 - Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics

124 - Ray Fontenot, Minnesota Twins

728 - Tippy Martinez, Baltimore Orioles

654 - Checklist: 529-660 CL

401 - Billy Jo Rubidoux, Milwaukee Brewers

266 - Jeff Hamilton, Los Angeles Dodgers (Rookie)

672 - Chili Davis, San Francisco Giants

598 - Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals All-Star / League Leaders (Hall of Fame)

460 - Darryl Strawberry, New York Mets

162 - Mike LaValliere, St. Louis Cardinals (Rookie)

* 295 - Len Dykstra, New York Mets

* 525 - Phil Bradley, Seattle Mariners

* 433 - Ed Hearn, New York Mets (Rookie)

257 - Bob Forsch, St. Louis Cardinals

60 - Tony Pena, Pittsburgh Pirates

121 - Kevin Romine, Boston Red Sox (Rookie)

* 470 - Dave Dravecky, San Diego Padres

* - Needed for my set.

Card Highlights

#366 Mark McGwire

#460 Darryl Strawberry

#598 Ozzie Smith All-Star / League Leaders (Hall of Fame)

Finally pulled a big name from the 1987 Topps set - Mark McGwire! Also pulled a Darryl Strawberry and Hall of Fame Ozzie Smith All-Star card. This pack had 4 cards I needed for my 1987 Topps build, bringing my total to 647 of the 792 (81.2%).

Stay tuned for Flea Market Wax Pack #6.

Flea Market Wax Pack #4

So a few days ago I was in Fort Collins, Colorado (I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming) and went into a flea market / antique store. I am usually on the lookout for something baseball or Disney related and this time I found something. Inside a case were six packs of 1987 Topps. I was going to just grab one because they were a bit pricey at $5 a pack but I just couldn't leave the other five packs there. So worse case scenario I have a little fun opening packs and I add a few cards to my set build of 1987 Topps.

Here is wax pack #4:

303 - Juan Berenguer, San Francisco Giants

758 - Tony Bernazard, Cleveland Indians

* 733 - Bill Caudill, Toronto Blue Jays

177 - Keith Moreland, Chicago Cubs

* 612 - George Bell, Toronto Blue Jays All-Star / League Leader

472 - Steve Farr, Kansas City Royals

773 - Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewers (Hall of Fame)

61 - Bobby Thigpen, Chicago White Sox (Rookie)

458 - Kelly Gruber, Toronto Blue Jays

453 - Scott Terry, Cincinnati Reds (Rookie)

270 - Jody Davis, Chicago Cubs

331 - Mets Leaders TL

201 - John Cangelosi, Chicago White Sox (Rookie)

520 - Jack Clark, St. Louis Cardinals

352 - Mike Felder, Milwaukee Brewers

199 - Mariano Duncan, Los Angeles Dodgers

250 - Teddy Higuera, Milwaukee Brewers

* - Needed for my set.

Card Highlights

#61 Bobby Thigpen (Rookie)

#520 Jack Clark

#612 George Bell All-Star / League Leaders

#773 Robin Yount (Hall of Fame)

Still looking for the big names from the 1987 set! Pulled a rookie card of a decent closer in Bobby Thigpen, Jack Clark in a possible run-down, George Bell All-Star card and a Hall of Famer in Robin Yount. This pack only had 2 cards I needed for my 1987 Topps build, bringing my total to 643 of the 792 (81.2%).

Stay tuned for Flea Market Wax Pack #5.

Flea Market Wax Pack #3

So a few days ago I was in Fort Collins, Colorado (I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming) and went into a flea market / antique store. I am usually on the lookout for something baseball or Disney related and this time I found something. Inside a case were six packs of 1987 Topps. I was going to just grab one because they were a bit pricey at $5 a pack but I just couldn't leave the other five packs there. So worse case scenario I have a little fun opening packs and I add a few cards to my set build of 1987 Topps.

Here is wax pack #3:

152 - Toby Harrah, Texas Rangers

246 - Jim Dwyer, Baltimore Orioles

454 - Luis Salazar, Chicago White Sox

499 - Bruce Ruffin, Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Rookie (Rookie)

636 - Darren Daulton, Philadelphia Phillies

596 - Steve Sax, Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star / League Leader

184 - Bobby Bonilla, Pittsburgh Pirates (Rookie)

306 - Red Sox Leaders TL

352 - Mike Felder, Milwaukee Brewers

* 199 - Mariano Duncan, Los Angeles Dodgers

* 250 - Teddy Higuera, Milwaukee Brewers

531 - Astros Leaders TL

573 - Hal McRae, Kansas City Royals

447 - Bill Almon, Pittsburgh Pirates

519 - Curt Young, Oakland A's

* 253 - Eddie Milner, Cincinnati Reds

122 - Jim Clancy, Toronto Blue Jays

* - Needed for my set.

Card Highlights

#199 Bobby Bonilla (Rookie)

#449 Bruce Ruffin All-Star Rookie (Rookie)

#596 Steve Sax All-Star / League Leader

No big names, I was able to pull a Bobby Bonilla and Bruce Ruffin rookie as well as a Steve Sax All-Star card as well as 3 missing cards from my 1987 Topps build. That brings me to 641 of the 792 (80.9%) cards needed to complete the set. 

Stay tuned for Flea Market Wax Pack #4.

Flea Market Wax Pack #2

So a few days ago I was in Fort Collins, Colorado (I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming) and went into a flea market / antique store. I am usually on the lookout for something baseball or Disney related and this time I found something. Inside a case were six packs of 1987 Topps. I was going to just grab one because they were a bit pricey at $5 a pack but I just couldn't leave the other five packs there. So worse case scenario I have a little fun opening packs and I add a few cards to my set build of 1987 Topps.

Here is wax pack #2:

760 - Mike Witt, California Angels

556 - Angels Leaders TL

687 - Alan Trammell, Detroit Lions (Hall of Fame)

532 - Jeff Stone, Philadelphia Phillies

* 323 - Al Newman, Montreal Expos (Rookie)

* 712 - Don Robinson, Pittsburgh Pirates

* 81 - Padres Leaders TL

445 - Dave Lopes, Houston Astros

182 - Lee Lacy, Baltimore Orioles

* 372 - Jerry Humphrey, Chicago Cubs

* 281 - Reds Leaders TL

125 - Bob Brenly, San Francisco Giants

17 - Pete O'Brien, Texas Rangers

553 - Mike Maddox, Philadelphia Phillies (Rookie)

* 140 - Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City Royals

* 208 - John Shelby, Baltimore Orioles

254 - Bob Tewksbury, New York Yankees (Rookie)

* - Needed for my set.

Card Highlights

#140 Bret Saberhagen

If you thought Flea Market Wax Pack #1 was bad, I give you Flea Market Wax Pack #2! The Bret Saberhagen (I collected him in the late 1980's) and adding 7 cards to my collection are the only redeeming qualities for this pack. I now have 638 of the 792 (80.5%) cards needed for a complete set. 

Stay tuned for Flea Market Wax Pack #3.

Flea Market Wax Pack #1

So a few days ago I was in Fort Collins, Colorado (I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming) and went into a flea market / antique store. I am usually on the lookout for something baseball or Disney related and this time I found something. Inside a case were six packs of 1987 Topps. I was going to just grab one because they were a bit pricey at $5 a pack but I just couldn't leave the other five packs there. So worse case scenario I have a little fun opening packs and I add a few cards to my set build of 1987 Topps.

Here is wax pack #1:

583 - Junior Ortiz, Pittsburgh Pirates

* 213 - Randy Myers, New York Mets (Rookie)

* 51 - Mel Hall, Cleveland Indians

* 40 - Dave Righetti, New York Yankees

233 - Russ Morman, Chicago White Sox (Rookie)

* 75 - Ron Darling, New York Mets

* 239 - Juan Espino, New York Yankees

* 399 - Curt Ford, St. Louis Cardinals

* 375 - Ron Guidry, New York Yankees

722 - Bob Knepper, Houston Astros

259 - Mike Greenwell, Boston Red Sox (Rookie)

685 - Jerry Hairston, Chicago White Sox

675 - Ed Romero, Boston Red Sox

769 - Steve Sax, Los Angeles Dodgers

421 - Jose DeLeon, Chicago White Sox

224 - Wayne Tolleson, New York Yankees

666 - Von Hayes, Philadelphia Phillies

* - Needed for my set.

Card Highlights

#40 Dave Righetti

#259 Mike Greenwell (Rookie)

The Mike Greenwell rookie card would have excited me back in 1987. The Dave Righetti card is on the wax pack box so that's something? For the most part this pack was a bad one. I was able to add seven cards to my collection though, bringing me to 631 of the 792 cards needed for a complete set. 

Stay tuned for Wax Pack #2.