Games: 25 | At Bats: 89 | Runs: 16 | Hits: 35 | Doubles: 7 | Home Runs: 7 | Runs Batted In: 35 | Bases on Balls: 12 | Strikeouts: 16 | Batting Average: .393
His 1987 Topps card is #629.
1997 American League Players of the Month
April - Brian Downing, OF, California Angels
Source: Baseball Reference
Games: 22 | At Bats: 82 | Runs: 23 | Hits: 27 | Doubles: 6 | Home Runs: 12 | Runs Batted In: 36 | Bases on Balls: 11 | Strikeouts: 21 | Stolen Bases: 11 | Batting Average: .329
His 1987 Topps card is #412.
1987 National League Players of the Month
April - Eric Davis, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Source: Baseball Reference
Games: 7 | At Bats: 29 | Runs: 4 | Hits: 14 | Doubles: 4 | Home Runs: 2 | Runs Batted In: 10 | Strikeouts: 1 | Batting Average: .483
His 1987 Topps card is #575.
1987 American League Players of the Week
April 12 - Ray Knight, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
April 19 - Juan Nieves, P, Milwaukee Brewers
April 26 - Wally Joyner, 1B, California Angels
May 3 - Cal Ripken Jr., SS, Baltimore Ravens
May 10 - Bruce Hurst, P, Boston Red Sox
May 17 - Gary Redus, OF, Chicago White Sox
May 24 - Jim Clancy, P, Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Baseball Reference
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Steve Bedrosian was selected the National League Player of the Week for the week ending May 31, 1987. This is Bedrosian's 1st Player of the Week Award of the 1987 Season and his 1st of his career. He would win 1 more for a career total of 2.
Games: 4 | Saves: 4 | Innings Pitched: 6.1 | Hits: 3 | Bases on Balls: 3 | Strikeouts: 7 | Earned Run Average: 0.00
His 1987 Topps card is #736.
1987 National League Players of the Week
April 12 - Jose Cruz, OF, Houston Astros
April 19 - Mike Schmidt, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
April 26 - Andre Dawson, OF, Chicago Cubs
May 3 - Eric Davis, OF, Cincinnati Reds
May 10 - Candy Maldonado, OF, San Francisco Giants
May 17 - Tim Wallach, 3B, Montreal Expos
May 24 - Jack Clark, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
Source: Baseball Reference
Roger Maris drew 4 intentional walks in one game for Yankees. Roger's 1962 Topps card was #1. (From the back of Ozzie Virgil's 1987 Topps card #571.)
Maris flew out in the bottom of the 2nd inning and then drew a walk in the bottom of the 4th inning. In the bottom of the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th he was intentionally walked. The Yankees would win 2-1 in 12 innings, on an Elston Howard sacrifice fly ball to right field, scoring Joe Pepitone.
Source: Baseball Reference and Trading Card Database.
John Candelaria was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd round of the 1972 MLB June Amateur Draft. His major league debut was on June 8, 1975 for the Pirates against San Francisco Giants. He pitched 6.0 innings, allowed 6 hits, struck out 6, walked 1, allowed 3 earned runs and got the loss. Candelaria was traded by the California Angels to the New York Mets on September 15, 1987. He made the All-Star team in 1977, the only one during his career.
1987 Season Summary
W: 10 | L: 6 | ERA: 4.81 | G: 23 | GS: 23 | IP: 129.0 | SO: 84 | WHIP: 1.295
Source: Baseball Reference and Trading Card Database
Teddy Higuera | Pitcher | Milwaukee Brewers | All-Star / League Leaders | #615
In the 1986 All-Star Game, Teddy Higuera came in for relief of starter Roger Clemens and pitched 3 innings. He allowed 1 hit, issued 1 base on balls and struck out 2 in those 3 innings. It would be Higuera's only All-Star appearance of his 9-year career. In 1986, he finished second in the Cy Young voting to Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.
From back of card:
1986 AL LEADERS - STRIKEOUTS
Mark Langston, Mariners (245)
Roger Clemens, Red Sox (238)
Jack Morris, Tigers (223)
Bert Blyleven, Twins (215)
Mike Witt, Angels (208)
TEDDY HIGUERA, BREWERS (207)
Kirk McCaskill, Angels (202)
Frank Viola, Twins (191)
Ed Correa, Rangers (189)
Jose Rijo, A's (176)
Pitched a Complete Game 9-3 Victory vs. Orioles, 9-25-86, to become a 20-game winner for 1st time in big league career.
In our latest Topps Through the Years installment, we are highlighting Rick Rhoden's Topps cards through the years. Rick played in Major League Baseball for 16 seasons (Los Angeles Dodgers 1974-1978; Pittsburgh Pirates 1979-1986; New York Yankees 1987-1988; Houston Astros 1989) and was represented on 19 Topps cards (18 regular issue cards and 1 Topps Traded cards) as a player.
1975 Topps #618 1975 Rookie Pitchers (Jaime Easterly / Tom Johnson / Scott McGregor / Rick Rhoden) RC
I came across this episode from April 27, 1987 on YouTube and thought it went well with My 1987 Topps Project blog.
If/when I come across any more episodes from 1987 I will share them here.
Dave Concepcion was signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent on September 12, 1967. His major league debut was on April 6, 1970 for the Reds against the Montreal Expos. He went 0-4 in the 5-1 win by the Reds. The 1987 season was Concepcion's second to last season in the major leagues, all with the Reds (1970-1988). He was released by the Reds on October 7, 1988. Concepcion was a 9-time All-Star (1973, 1975-1982), 5-time Gold Glove Award winner (1974-1977, 1979) and 2-time Silver Slugger Award (1981 and 1982).
1987 Season Summary
AB: 279 | H: 89 | HR: 1 | BA: .319 | R: 32 | RBI: 33 | SB: 4 | OBP: .377 | SLG: .384 | OPS: .761
Source: Baseball Reference and Trading Card Database
Check out the BOXSCORE for this game at Baseball Reference.
NOTE - This post catches me up on the major 1987 season highlights. From this point on they will be posted on the day they actually occur.
Baltimore Orioles' Eddie Murray homers from each side of the plate for the second consecutive game, a major league first. Murray's four home runs in two days help the Orioles to 7-6 and 15-6 wins over the Chicago White Sox. Murray would end the 1987 season with 30 home runs, the 5th and last time he would break the 30-home run mark.
Murray would finish his career with 504 home runs, 3,255 hits, 1,917 RBIs, and a career batting average of .287. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Check out the BOXSCORE (May 9, 1987) \ BOXSCORE (May 8, 1987) for the games at Baseball Reference.
Tony Perez became oldest player in history to hit grand slam HR. Tony's 1985 card was #675. (From the back of Andy Van Slyke's 1987 Topps #33)
Perez' grand slam home run came off the Philadelphia Phillies' Dave Rucker in the bottom of the 6th inning and broke a 3-3 tie. He was 42 years old, one day shy of his 43rd birthday (May 14).
Currently, Julio Franco (1987 Topps #160) is the oldest player to hit a grand slam home run in a game. He accomplished the feat on June 27, 2005 while with the New York Mets against the Miami Marlins.
Perez was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Source: Baseball Reference, Trading Card Database
PAT CORRALES | Manager | Cleveland Indians | Manager / League Leaders | #268
Pat Corrales coached the Cleveland Indians from 1983 until 87 games into the 1987 season. The Indians were 31-56 when he was fired. He had a 280-355 W-L record in Cleveland. In nine major league seasons as a manager with the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians he had 572-634 W/L record.
Cleveland Indians Team Checklist
#436 - Allanson, Andy C
#585 - Bailes, Scott P
#322 - Bando, Chris C
#758 - Bernazard, Tony 2B
#107 - Butcher, John P
#723 - Butler, Brett OF
#353 - Camacho, Ernie P
#463 - Candiotti, Tom P (Need)
#220 - Carter, Joe OF-1B
#513 - Castillo, Carmen OF
#160 - Franco, Julio SS
#51 - Hall, Mel OF (Need)
#405 - Jacoby, Brook 3B
#694 - Niekro, Joe P
#486 - Nixon, Otis OF
#244 - Noles, Dickie P
#77 - Oelkers, Bryan P (Need)
#635 - Schrom, Ken P
#297 - Schulze, Don P
#192 - Snyder, Cory OF-SS (Need)
#319 - Swindell, Greg P
#575 - Tabler, Pat 1B
#780 - Thornton, Andre DH
#657 - Waddell, Tom P
#551 - Wills, Frank P
#134 - Yett, Rich P
I need four Indians players' cards to finish the 1987 Topps Cleveland Indians - #51 Mell Hall, #77 Bryan Oelkers, #192 Cory Snyder, #463 Tom Candiotti
Source: Baseball Reference
"Rags" shines in Yankees' bullpen
BIG LEAGUE SAVE STANDARD IS SHATTERED BY RIGHETTI
Boston, Mass., Oct. 5, 1986: Yankees' Dave Righetti completed the 1986 season with 46 saves to establish a new major league record. The former mark of 45 was by Royals' Dan Quisenberry in 1983 and tied by Cardinals' Bruce Sutter in 1984.
The current major league record for saves is held by Francisco Rodriguez with 62, set in 2008.
Andre Dawson had five hits and hit for the cycle to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Dawson signed with the Cubs on March 9, 1987 and his 1987 Topps card still has him on the Montreal Expos. You had to wait until the Topps Traded set to be released to see him in a Cubs uniform.
1987 Topps #345 Andre Dawson
1987 Topps Traded #27T Andre Dawson
Check out the BOXSCORE for this game at Baseball Reference.
Bert Blyleven pitched a no-hitter for Rangers vs. Angels. Bert's 1977 Topps card was #630.
In his last pitching performance of the 1977 regular season, Blyleven pitched his first and only no-hitter of his career. He struck out 7, walked 1, for the no-hitter and finished the 1977 season 14-12.
Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Source: Baseball Reference, Trading Card Database
Ken Dixon was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 3rd round of the 1980 MLB June Amateur Draft. His major league debut was on September 22, 1984 for the Orioles against the Boston Red Sox. He pitched 6 innings, allowed 7 hits, struck out 3, walked 4, allowed 3 earned runs and got the loss. The 1987 season would be in last in the major leagues. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners on December 9, 1987 for pitcher Mike Morgan but would never pitch for the Mariners.
1987 Season Summary
W: 7 | L: 10 | ERA: 6.43 | G: 34 | GS: 15 | SV: 5 | IP: 105.0 | SO: 91 | WHIP: 1.476
From Back of Card: Ken's many hobbies include playing the drums.
In the bottom of the ninth, Milwaukee Brewers Dale Sveum hits a two-run home run off the Texas Rangers Greg Harris. The walk-off home run gives the Brewers a 6-4 win over the Rangers. With a 12-0 start, the Brewers break the 1981 Oakland A's record for best start in American League history.
1987 Topps #327 Dale Sveum RC
Check out the BOXSCORE for this game from Baseball Reference.
Check out the BOXSCORE for this game from Baseball Reference.
Juan Nieves of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles. It was the first no-hitter in modern Brewers history. He finished the game with 7 strikeouts, 5 walks in the 7-0 win, to start the season 2-0. Nieves would finish the 1987 season 14-8.
1987 Topps #79 Juan Nieves
Nieves would throw the only no-hitter in the 1987 season.
Check out the BOXSCORE for this game from Baseball Reference.
I know I am getting a late start on this and it will take a few posts to catch up but I will be highlighting some season highlights from the 1987 season. In the future I will post them on the day they actually occurred, if at all possible.
At Jack Murphy Stadium, the San Diego Padres set a major league record when the first three batters in the bottom of the first inning hit home runs off San Francisco Giants starter Roger Mason in their home opener. The Padres, trailing 3-0, got home runs from Marvell Wynne, Tony Gwynn and John Kruk. Despite the record, the Padres lost 13-6.
1987 Topps #37 Marvell Wynne
1987 Topps #530 Tony Gwynn
1987 Topps #123 John Kruk RC
Check out the BOXSCORE for this game from Baseball Reference.
1980 Topps #681 Mets Future Stars (Dan Norman/Jesse Orosco/Mike Scott) FS, RC
JAMIE MOYER | Chicago Cubs | Pitcher | #227
Jamie Moyer was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 6th round of the 1984 MLB June Amateur Draft. His major league debut was on June 16, 1986 for the Cubs in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowed 8 hits, struck out 2, walked 3, allowed 4 earned runs and got his first win. He would pitch in the major leagues for 25 years and play for 8 different teams.
1987 Season Summary
W: 12 | L: 15 | ERA: 5.10 | G: 35 | GS: 33 | SV: 0 | IP: 201.0 | SO: 147 | WHIP: 1.527
From Back of Card: Jamie pitched 3 consecutive No-Hitters at Souderton Area High School, Souderton, Pa. in 1980.
Games Started: 2 | Complete Games: 2 | Wins: 2 | Innings Pitched: 18.0 | Hits: 8 | Runs: 2 | Earned Runs: 1 | Bases on Balls: 1 | Strikeouts: 18 | Earned Run Average: 0.50
His 1987 Topps card is #122.
1987 American League Players of the Week
April 12 - Ray Knight, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
April 19 - Juan Nieves, P, Milwaukee Brewers
April 26 - Wally Joyner, 1B, California Angels
May 3 - Cal Ripken Jr., SS, Baltimore Ravens
May 10 - Bruce Hurst, P, Boston Red Sox
May 17 - Gary Redus, OF, Chicago White Sox
Source: Baseball Reference
Games: 6 | At Bats: 19 | Runs: 4 | Hits: 9 | Home Runs: 2 | Runs Batted In: 12 | Bases on Balls: 10 | Strikeouts: 5 | Batting Average: .474
His 1987 Topps card is #520.
1987 National League Players of the Week
April 12 - Jose Cruz, OF, Houston Astros
April 19 - Mike Schmidt, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
April 26 - Andre Dawson, OF, Chicago Cubs
May 3 - Eric Davis, OF, Cincinnati Reds
May 10 - Candy Maldonado, OF, San Francisco Giants
May 17 - Tim Wallach, 3B, Montreal Expos
Source: Baseball Reference
Games: 7 | At Bats: 26 | Runs: 9 | Hits: 12 | Doubles: 1 | Triples: 2 | Home Runs: 3 | Runs Batted In: 6 | Bases on Balls: 4 | Strikeouts: 6 | Stolen Bases: 4 | Batting Average: .462
His 1987 Topps card is #42. He is featured in a Phillies uniform, 1987 was his first season with the White Sox after 1 season with the Phillies.
1987 American League Players of the Week
April 12 - Ray Knight, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
April 19 - Juan Nieves, P, Milwaukee Brewers
April 26 - Wally Joyner, 1B, California Angels
May 3 - Cal Ripken Jr., SS, Baltimore Ravens
May 10 - Bruce Hurst, P, Boston Red Sox
Source: Baseball Reference
Games: 7 | At Bats: 30 | Runs: 8 | Hits: 11 | Doubles: 4 | Home Runs: 1 | Runs Batted In: 9 | Bases on Balls: 1 | Strikeouts: 2 | Stolen Bases: 1 | Batting Average: .367
His 1987 Topps card is #55
1987 National League Players of the Week
April 12 - Jose Cruz, OF, Houston Astros
April 19 - Mike Schmidt, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
April 26 - Andre Dawson, OF, Chicago Cubs
May 3 - Eric Davis, OF, Cincinnati Reds
May 10 - Candy Maldonado, OF, San Francisco Giants
Source: Baseball Reference
Games Started: 2 | Complete Games: 2 | Wins: 2 | Innings Pitched: 18.0 | Hits: 10 | Bases on Balls: 3 | Strikeouts: 23 | Earned Run Average: 0.00
His 1987 Topps card is #705
1987 American League Players of the Week
April 12 - Ray Knight, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
April 19 - Juan Nieves, P, Milwaukee Brewers
April 26 - Wally Joyner, 1B, California Angels
May 3 - Cal Ripken Jr., SS, Baltimore Ravens
Source: Baseball Reference
San Francisco Giants outfielder Candy Maldonado was selected the National League Player of the Week for the week ending May 10, 1987. This is Maldonado's 1st Player of the Week Award of the 1987 Season and his 2nd (and final) of his career.
Games: 7 | At Bats: 31 | Runs: 11 | Hits: 13 | Doubles: 4 | Triples: 1 | Home Runs: 5 | Runs Batted In: 10 | Bases on Balls: 1 | Strikeouts: 2 | Batting Average: .419
His 1987 Topps card is #335.
1987 National League Players of the Week
April 12 - Jose Cruz, OF, Houston Astros
April 19 - Mike Schmidt, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
April 26 - Andre Dawson, OF, Chicago Cubs
May 3 - Eric Davis, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Source: Baseball Reference
California Angels designated hitter Brian Downing was selected as the American League Player of the Month for the month of April 1987. This is Downing's 1st Player of the Month Award of the 1987 Season and his 1st (and only) of his career.
Games: 22 | At Bats: 88 | Runs: 19 | Hits: 31 | Doubles: 7 | Triples: 1 | Home Runs: 9 | Runs Batted In: 22 | Bases on Balls: 19 | Strikeouts: 12 | Batting Average: .352
His 1987 Topps card is #782.
Source: Baseball Reference
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Eric Davis was selected as the National League Player of the Month for the month of April 1987. This is Davis' 1st Player of the Month Award of the 1987 Season and his 2nd of his career. He would win 2 more for a career total of 4.
Games: 20 | At Bats: 77 | Runs: 20 | Hits: 28 | Doubles: 5 | Triples: 1 | Home Runs: 7 | Runs Batted In: 16 | Bases on Balls: 11 | Strikeouts: 19 | Stolen Bases: 9 | Batting Average: .364
His 1987 Topps card is #412.
Source: Baseball Reference
Games: 5 | At Bats: 20 | Runs: 4 | Hits: 8 | Doubles: 4 | Triples: 1 | Home Runs: 3 | Runs Batted In: 6 | Bases on Balls: 1 | Strikeouts: 1 | Batting Average: .400
His 1987 Topps card is #784.
1987 American League Players of the Week
April 12 - Ray Knight, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
April 19 - Juan Nieves, P, Milwaukee Brewers
April 26 - Wally Joyner, 1B, California Angels
Source: Baseball Reference
Games: 6 | At Bats: 24 | Runs: 9 | Hits: 11 | Doubles: 1 | Home Runs: 7 | Runs Batted In: 15 | Bases on Balls: 5 | Strikeouts: 3 | Stolen Bases: 1 | Batting Average: .458
His 1987 Topps card is #412.
1987 National League Players of the Week
April 12 - Jose Cruz, OF, Houston Astros
April 19 - Mike Schmidt, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
April 26 - Andre Dawson, OF, Chicago Cubs
Source: Baseball Reference