1981 Topps: Uncommon Commons

I recently picked up about 450 Topps cards from the 1981 set.  If commons are always this fun, color me common:

A lot of you have asked me for an update on Gordy.  As far as I know, Gordy is doing fine.

Here's an interesting stat on Gordy: if Gordy had played from 1979-2000, Gordy's career would have spanned four different decades.  That is a very rare accomplishment.  Unfortunately, nobody gave Gordy a major league contract after 1982, and although Gordy toiled for one more season in the minors (1983), Gordy ultimately had to do what was best for Gordy, so Gordy retired.   

Vuckovich doesn't go in for tomfoolery.  He looks absolutely disgusted.  There's no laughing in baseball.  In fact, there's no fun at all.   

Hm, almost, but not quite right.

Perfect.  Here's the Olan Mills photo shot we've all been looking for.  Believe it or not, Hutton and Underwood are back to back in the set (#374, #373).

One more Yearbook pose.  Stay cool this summer.

 

"Keith!  Keith!  Keith!  Mr. Hernandez!  Mr. Hernandez!  Can we have your autograph?  Keith!  Mr. Hernand--oh he's gone.  Wait here he comes again.  Keith!  Keith!  Keith!"

"Keith!  Mr. Hernandez!  KEITH!  KEITH! KEITH!"

"I'm not Keith for chrissakes!  He JUST walked by!  I'm Ken Reitz!  R-E-I-T-Z!  Sheesh!  It's everyday with you people!"

Oh no, his hat fell off.  That hardly happens to anyone in the majors.  Actually, I don't remember EVER seeing a pitcher lose his hat from a windup.  I like when photographers capture rare moments.

Oh come on!  You've got to be kidding me.  This happened every pitch?  That's ridiculous.  He's the one guy who can't adjust his hat so it stays on his head?  Now I desperately want to see some footage of the windup that caused this ongoing goofiness.

Mr. "Dennis Lamp" broke rule number one regarding the Witness Protection Program:  keep a low profile.

You never know who might be hiding on a baseball field.