Four Topps, #678

As I write this, the Braves lead the Dodgers 2-1 in the top of the 5th.  As I was scanning the cards for this edition of Four Topps, the Braves scored the go-ahead run off Zack Greinke.  Random.org chose the card number--as it always does--and it just so happens half the cards feature a Braves player.  Coincidence?  Yes, of course.  But, we'll still refer to this as the "Atlanta Editon" of Four Topps...

1987

Obviously this isn't one of the Bravos, but Carney Lansford is reppin' another 2013 playoff participant: the AL Western Division Champion Oakland A's  The aviator glasses, the kick-ass mustache, and the popped collar each would individually enhance any baseball card.  In chorus, they make a colossus.  Then there's the factoid on the back of the card: "Carney is a direct descendent of Sir Francis Drake, the 16th century British admiral." Check, please.  Hey, Stat Man:  Lansford hit .284 with 19 homers and 72 ribbies for the '86 Athletics.

1988

And here's your first Brave.  Not the most exciting choice, of course, nor the most threatening.  But he will receive the same contemptible treatment that any Atlanta ballplayer shall receive on this blog.  Hey, Jim, you stink!  Okay, I feel better now.  Anyhow, boy, a lot of my '88s have wax stains.  Hey, Stat Man:  Saved a team-high 14 games for the Braves in 1987.

1989

Braves on the mound, and now Braves at the bat.  Dion James swings away during what is most assuredly a Spring Training contest.  Kudos to James for wearing his cap underneath his batting helmet.  How come guys don't do that anymore?  Or, perhaps a more appropriate question, why did guys ever do that in the first place? Hey, Stat Man:  James collected 46 of his 99 hits during the '88 season in the months of May and June.

1990

No playoffs this year for the Giants, but that just means they'll win the World Series again next year.  Manwaring was never an offensive threat, but he was a pretty good backstop for a number of years, a fact punctuated by an NL Gold Glove in 1993.  In terms of this card, I really like how the colors work together--the shades of blue, the orange and blue inner borders, and the green name tags.  Nice action shot, to boot.  Hey, Stat Man:  Did not register a home run in 200 at-bats for the Giants in 1989.

And the Winner Is:  Can it be any other than the '87 Lansford?  The Manwaring is a close second.

MK