Four Topps, #52

In the seminal edition of Four Topps, Random.org gave us a relatively cushy card number (#740).  Though a Topps card number ending in a 0 or 5 doesn't guarantee you a gem, you're going to get a player who was either a league leader or a current/former All-Star.  [Ed. Note: At least that's how it used to be.]

But, what happens when you draw one of those non-conventional numbers.  Say -- oh, I dunno -- number 52? Well, if you're curious about such things, it's lucky that you stumbled upon this page.  Let's find out what card No. 52 offered Topps collectors from 1987 to 1990, shall we?

1987: Keith Atherton

In edition #740 of Four Topps, the winning card was the '88 Sutcliffe, thanks largely to some uber-manly facial hair.  Spoiler alert:  No such distinction can be awarded for the segmented caterpillar growing above Keith Atherton's upper lip.  Oh, and the blurb on the back of the card reads, "Keith played Little League and Babe Ruth ball."  Yeah, and so did I, what's your point?  Stats/Notes:  Atherton compiled a 5-8 mark in 47 relief appearances for Minnesota during the '86 season.

1988: Don Robinson

This is the first of two S.F. Giants cards you will see during this post, so I'm just warning yas.  I know I grew up during the '80s, but I was just a kid when this card came out.  Thus, I can't understand how or why those baggy, ruffly undershirt windbreaker things were a sensible uniform augmentation.  I'm sure they were great at keeping you insulated from the elements, but tell me how that can be comfortable during gameplay.  Stats/Notes: Robinson, who was acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline in 1987, went 5-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 25 relief appearances down the stretch for San Fran.

1989: Bob Brenly

Say this much for Bob Brenly, he sure didn't sit still after he decided to hang up the shinguards.  He's worked various broadcast jobs both nationally and for local TV, served as a Giants coach for a few years, and then skippered the Diamondbacks to their one and only World Series title in 2001.  Unless I'm mistaken, this is Brenly's final Topps card, as the Ohio native retired at the end of the '89 campaign.  Stats/Notes:  Batted below the Mendoza line (.189) in 73 games with the Giants in 1988.

1990: Jack Daugherty

If you're like me and you have a soft spot for 1990 Topps, it's cards like this one that really do it for ya.  The outrageous color scheme, especially the bright yellow team name and player nameplate, should make this thing an eyesore.  But somehow it works.  Then again, I might not be of sound mind and opinion, so you might disagree with me.  And you might not be wrong.  Stats/Notes:  Cracked his first ML home run -- his lone homer of the '89 season -- off Detroit's Frank Tanana on August 11 in a 7-3 Rangers win.

And the Winner Is:  Brenly is the most notable name of the bunch, even though that notoriety stems mostly from his post-playing days.  No matter, we'll give the former backstop the nod in this four-way battle.  It's tough to beat the creamy silver and black design elements that '89 Topps presents us with.

MK