Bo Jackson - 1989 Donruss
Bo knows bunting! Either that or he just noticed a rat scurrying around the field and decided to do the groundskeeper a favor and get rid of it. Sure it's not the most thrilling action shot ever taken for a sports card, but it's the first one I ever remember actively pack-hunting for. It's not his best card (that would be the 1990 Upper Deck, which was the Punisher War Journal #6 of baseball cards...that is to say, to own it made you feel cool...and it still does!) and I'll admit nostalgia played a big part here - this slot could have easily gone to '89 Topps Mike Greenwell, '89 Score Darryl Strawberry, and several of the MVP's from this series (Canseco, Greenwell, Ripken, Brett) for the same reason. In fact an '89 Donruss was bound to turn up on this list for the simple fact that the series still conjures up bike rides to Wal Mart to pick up a pack or two. But that doesn't mean it doesn't belong on this list.
#9
Tim Raines - 1984 Donruss
#8
Ozzie Smith - 1982 Topps (traded)
Ozzie and St Louis - even though he started with San Diego, he's as much a Cardinal as Babe Ruth was a Yankee or Andre Dawson was a Cub. So it's hard not to see this as an important card, his first wearing the red uniform, but on top of that it's just pretty good looking in general.
#7
Cal Ripken - 1984 Donruss
Young Cal seems like a sports Adonis in this shot, and you get all the goods: team emblem proudly displayed on the hat and the player's iconic number clear on his chest. Although it's obviously just a practice swing, it's a great pose and a well-shot photo. Must have been a cool game: the long black sleeves are a nice addition to the uniform. It also seems like Cal might have popularized the single glove before Michael Jackson.
#6
#5
#6
Tony Gwynn - 1983 Topps
"Welcome to the big leagues, Mr. Gwynn! We're just gonna take the picture for your rookie ca - Hey! Where ya goin?!" The only card I know that comes with a sound effect: ZIP! Gwynn is a player from the old school of ball updated to the 80's, hence the dated-looking earth tones of the card. And while running in the opposite direction of the card might seem like an obvious idea, it's done here in a way that I've certainly never noticed before. One of my favorite rookies of all time (the '83 Donruss is pretty sweet-looking too).
#5
George Brett - 1982 Topps
I don't know why I love this card so much. It must be a combination of Brett's sexxxy badass look, his aggressive handling of the bat like he just saw Billy Martin pass by, and just that roguish long hair that would disappear in favor of his later career "military" cut. Or maybe it's because everyone else seems to be minding their own business and he's got that Terminator focus on the field, like he's ready to rip it up. I look at this card and think about what a good time it was for ballplayers, and how Brett was one of the best.
#4
Don Mattingly - 1984 Topps
I remember this being the hottest card from when we started collecting. It was on the cover of price guides next to iconic Mickey Mantles and Hank Aarons. It still feels that way today, and just demands to be adored - which is amazing in and of itself considering I'm a certified Yankee hater. Mattingly always transcended the uniform, and brought to it that feeling of leadership from New York's last truly great era of players. Still like him better than Steinbrenner!
#3
Cal Ripken - 1983 Topps
You know, early Cal Ripken is like early R.E.M. - so very satisfying. Of course this beautiful representative of my favorite card series from the '80s mainly reminds me of our trip to Cooperstown, which reignited by passion for collecting. Just love the combination of orange and brown in the borders, the youth and power in the long shot and the seriousness in his face in the close - everything works. There are tons of great look cards from this set - the Boggs, Gwynn and Sandberg rookies, the (traded) Strawberry rookie etc - but this is the best one.
I know this is cheating, but I couldn't pick just one. So click the link for a bonus list!
And #1...
Oh whoops, ha ha. Baseball right? Of course. What I meant was...
#1
Cal Ripken - 1982 Topps Traded
Was there ever any doubt? I fell in love with this card the minute I saw it, and think back with fondness over how everybody made a big fuss over the three-player regular series '82 rookie and sold it for outrageous prices, which was fine because I liked this one much better and managed to find it for five bucks. Now the consensus is that this one is the uber-Cal, a rare case of time being on my side (anybody want to buy one of my copies of Spawn #1? Anybody???)
The field behind him looks so freshly green, the sky so blue. The bat literally looks like it's an extension of his arm. This is something I would seriously consider grabbing first if my house were on fire. It's been with me almost 20 years now, and I aim to hold on to it!
HONORABLE MENTION:
Eddie Murray - 1982 Donruss
Why this particular Eddie? I don't know, it's just a nice close-up where you get a good look at his focus, his relaxed batting stance, his jersey number, his sideburns.Obviously the coolest Eddie is the '78 rookie, but that one doesn't qualify for either of these groups of cards.
For the record: my favorite baseball card series of the '80s:
10. 82 Donruss
9. 84 Topps
8. 85 Fleer
7. 89 Topps
6. 84 Fleer
5. 85 Donruss
4. 87 Fleer
3. 82 Topps
2. 84 Donruss
1. 83 Topps
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