Four Topps, #740

A basically simple post premise for an undoubtedly simple man.  One card from each Topps set from the four years representing my roots as a baseball card collector.  Those years would be 1987, '88, '89 and '90.  With a random card number that could only be generated by the ghosts in the machine at Random.org, we'll take a look at that number's card from each of the four sets.  And at the end I'll decide which one is the pick of the litter.

Shall we have a go?  Good!



In this maiden voyage of Four Topps, the digit du jour is 740...

1987: Rich Gedman

I'll assume most of you reading this probably overwhelmingly favor the '87 Topps style over any of the remaining Topps efforts you'll see below.  However, this is not a study solely based on a biased reaction.  If that were the case, the card from '89 Topps would win every time, hands down.  But, that's just me.  Gedman, by the way, socked 16 homers in 135 games for the AL-champion Red Sox in 1986.

1988: Rick Sutcliffe

As somebody who's tried to wear a beard the better part of four years, I have to say that Sutcliffe sports an exemplary specimen.  His broadcast work on ESPN baseball telecasts is a whole 'nother story, however.  In 1987, Sutcliffe paced the Senior Circuit with 18 victories.

1989: Dan Plesac

Another ballplayer-turned-broadcaster, but Plesac is downright pleasing with the work he puts forth as an analyst for the MLB Network's studio show.  Plesac saved 30 games for the Brewers in 1988, making his second of three career All-Star teams.

1990: Jesse Barfield

His nickname had to be Barf, right?  Unless Jesse was the type of guy who had zero sense of humor and would kick anyone's ass who dared poke fun at him.  In that case, I guess his nickname was Sir or Mister.  Anyhow, Barfield batted .240 with 18 homers in 1989, his first season in the Bronx.

And the Winner Is:  None of these absolutely jumped out and declared itself above the rest, but I'll give the inaugural Four Topps blue ribbon to Rick Sutcliffe from the '88 set.  Sure, he's not doing a damn thing on his card, while you've got assorted action shots on each of the other three samples.  But, the Cubs cards from '88 Topps are so perfectly done (I'm a sucker for shades of blue) and, well, Sut doesn't have any boogies up his nose or anything.  And that's a plus in my book.  Way to go, Rick!

MK