Four Topps, #576

Here we go with another edition of Four Topps!  I wish I could tell you that we've got a real exciting foursome of cards coming your way, but that would be an utter lie and you'd never believe another word I wrote.

Actually, this one ain't for the feint of heart, so proceed with caution!

Today's number--provided, as always by Random.org--is 576.  So let's check out what the Topps sets from 1987 to 1990 had to offer at this position in the checklist, shall we?

1987

So this is Frank Pastore's final baseball card.  His cardboard swan song, if you will.  More tragic than that is the fact that he's also dead.  And, apparently Pastore, who became a talk host on a Christian radio program after his playing days ended, eerily predicted his own death mere hours before the tragic event occurred.  Not a very uplifting write-up, I'm afraid, but what is there to say about this baseball card?  Hey, Stat Man:  Pastore went 3-1 with a 4.01 ERA in his lone season for the Twins in 1986.

1988

Tommy Hinzo is still with us--as far as I know.  And, that's a good thing.  This is his one and only Topps card. That's not necessarily a good thing.  Hinzo played parts of two seasons for the Tribe for a grand total of 85 big league games.  Regardless, I dig this card mostly for the colorful backdrop provided by the grandstand of ancient Cleveland Stadium.  Hey, Stat Man:  Hinzo crafted a .265 average with 15 extra-base hits in 257 at-bats for the Indians in 1987.

1989

Not even my all-time favorite set can rescue this dour assortment of cards.  Sure, Minton had plenty of memorable moments over his 16-year major league career, mostly as the Giants' closer in the early '80s.  But, this card--his next-to-last Topps card--isn't exactly a highlight.  Then again, he's had some doozies prior to this. Ahem... Hello, 1978!  Oofa.  Hey, Stat Man:  His 125 saves rank Minton fifth on the San Franciso Giants career saves list.

1990

We began with a Twin and we end with a Twin.  This is Mike Dyer's rookie card.  It's also one of only two Topps cards Dyer made it onto.  The weird thing: His next card wouldn't come until the 1995 set.  I wonder what the record is for most years between base cards for a given player?  Hey, Stat Man:  Dyer went 4-7 with a 4.82 ERA for Minnesota in 1989--his lone season with the team.

And the Winner Is:  YOU, if you survived this entire post!  My oh my, the number 576 isn't exactly prime real estate within a Topps baseball set is it?  Welp, if I must choose (and I must), let's give the gold star to the '88 Hinzo.  He may be a one-and-done special, but it's the most interesting-looking card of the bunch.

MK