Podcast
1988 Topps
Hosted by Matt Kuzma and David McEllis · EN
Every card has a story to tell.
In this 700+ episode series, Matt Kuzma and David McEllis discuss a different 1988 Topps baseball card every week.
Send your questions and suggestions to 1988ToppsPodcast@gmail.com.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ed Lynch (#336)
6d ago00:36:46Tap to summarizeWelcome to Season 7 of the 1988 Topps Podcast! This week, a pitcher and GM who didn't have many strikeouts, but did have a number of punch outs. Card 336 on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/354828366005SABR bio by Jon Springer: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Ed-Lynch/ Unflattering 1987 Topps card: https://www.reddit.com/r/baseballcards/comments/t5xzw2/there_are_as_few_unflattering_photos_on_a_card_as/ Lynch vs Zonk: https://youtu.be/txJl8Gr38Ks?si=RAVIthN6A-nFWqCf&t=4222Lynch vs Mariano Duncan: https://youtu.be/VFwrYtuFMjA?si=d7ce1OdxvRoBCdIZ&t=6494Ed’s Real Estate business: https://keyselectrealestate.com/agents/ed-lynch Ed’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Surfing_Baseball_with_Ed_Lynch/videos
Transcribe →Henry Cotto (#766/31T)
2w ago00:30:54Tap to summarizeNo "Looking good, Mr. Kotter" jokes were harmed in the making of this podcast. Card 766: https://ebay.us/m/DWyMm8Traded Card 31T: https://www.beckett.com/baseball/1988/topps-traded/31t-henry-cotto-3916123Nipper the Dog Statue: https://apnews.com/article/nipper-dog-statue-albany-new-york-69a5ca4ec514f837626475b5d5264c1d Ross Jones breaks up a no-hitter box score: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA198709010.shtml Cotto makes a nice throw: https://www.facebook.com/reel/803442264937951 Henry Cotto at Beisbol 101: https://beisbol101.com/henry-cotto-caguas-criollos-cubs-yankees-mariners-marlins-and-yomiuri-giants-part-iii/Hall of Fame Card Corner: https://baseballhall.org/discover/cardcorner-1989-topps-henry-cottoCotto talks to MILB: https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-460370
Transcribe →Bob Kipper (#723)
3w ago00:42:09Tap to summarizeThe card that is the most explicit ad for undergarments in the 1988 Topps set. Card 723 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/bakersfield_636/item/1988-topps-723-bob-kipper_88993334SABR Bio by Thomas Kern - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bob-kipper/ Baseball Prospectus interview - https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/12669/prospectus-qa-bob-kipper/ Charles and MJ and Vince Coleman - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2026/04/23/charles-barkley-michael-jordan-break-silence-rift-vince-coleman/89754657007/ Wayne’s World filming locations - https://movie-locations.com/movies/w/Waynes-World.php Bob vs Daryl - https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVCHrPKEhod/ Kipper Facts from 1992 Pirates - https://bsky.app/profile/1992pirates.bsky.social/post/3lcv4ozhhoc2g
Transcribe →Al Nipper (#376/75T)
Apr 2600:37:40Tap to summarizeIf you have evidence that Tom Sandoval tried to inspire his high school classmates to victory by telling them to "Win one for the Nipper," please contact us immediately. Card 326 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/southpawcards_272/item/1988-topps-326-al-nipper_87706900Card 75T on eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/205293191459SABR Bio by Gregory Wolf - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/al-nipper/ Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - https://www.mlb.com/news/thoracic-outlet-syndrome-facts-causes-symptoms-recovery-timeAl throws at Phil Bradley - https://youtu.be/9fJyOGF6KhA?si=WraPdYa8_T1geE2U Al throws at Daryl Strawberry - https://www.reddit.com/r/mets/comments/1rtj03s/on_this_day_march_14_1987_darryl_strawberry/ Al in the Missouri Sports Hall - https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/al-nipper/
Transcribe →Ross Jones (#169)
Apr 1900:28:55Tap to summarizeFor this Florida native, 100% of his career hits as a Met were game-winning doubles with 9-year-old Mark Simon in the stands. Mark joins the pod to tell us the story! Card 169 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/1394/1988-topps-tiffany-169-ross-jones_9661863588 Topps Blog - https://88topps.blogspot.com/2008/02/169-ross-jones.htmlMark Simon’s Journalism Salute Podcast - https://marksimonsports.com/journalism-podcast/Mark’s 1986 Mets Rewatch newsletter - https://1986-mets-rewatch.beehiiv.com/ Rising Apple interview - https://risingapple.com/2021/10/30/ny-mets-ross-jones-exciting-time/Ross Jones IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0429182/
Transcribe →Juan Samuel (#398/705)
Apr 600:39:22Tap to summarizeThe 1980's were a big time for guys with 2 first names: Elton John, Billy Joel, Juan Samuel? Card 398 on eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/286511994193Card 705 on Fanatics Collect - https://www.fanaticscollect.com/buy-now/4f356043-1344-4d98-99af-0056e04ae582Hall of Fame Card Corner - https://baseballhall.org/discover/card-corner/1988-fleer-juan-samuelSABR Bio by Thomas J Brown Jr. - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/juan-samuel Baseball Card Snark on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/baseball.card.snark/ Harry Kalas narrating Juan’s Highlights - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=11711378441199831984-87 2B WAR leaders - https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/AoaDi 1989 NY Times article about Juan - https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/15/sports/samuel-is-making-an-impact.html Juan Interviewed on the Dirt Podcast - https://youtu.be/8a4MHn8dhNM?si=9XCLe9QeCUNkjMx6
Transcribe →Ted Wood (#130T)
Mar 3000:36:36Tap to summarizeThis Team USA standout won a gold medal, played baseball in five countries, married a cheerleader, and became a stock broker. No chagrin to be found. Card #130T on ebay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/197023560084Randy from PeeWee’s playhouse - https://youtu.be/tjlFMKQ2UiE?si=Y4p1gSbTuK2tP-QM Greatest 21 Days blog about Traxler - https://www.greatest21days.com/2025/10/brian-traxler-took-fundamentals-to-9.htmlGreatest 21 Days blog about Wood - https://www.greatest21days.com/2020/04/ted-wood-added-strength-in-minors.htmlTed Wood SABR bio by Rory Costello - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Ted-Wood/ Chagrin Falls by the Tragically Hip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40zlzmXvkpw
Transcribe →Rick Manning (#441)
Mar 2300:37:00Tap to summarizeCAUTION: Sliding headfirst can lead to broken bones ... and marriages??Card 441 on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/1988-Topps-Baseball-Card-Manning/dp/B00JE215JASABR Bio by Kelly Boyer Sagert: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Rick-Manning/ Rex Manning Day! https://youtu.be/gf3MsD5FCug?si=r1ibnaojiUppE4CB Eck Throws Shade at Rick: https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/94es0c/dennis_eckersley_throws_shade_at_former_teammate/ The 1978 Cleveland Indians: https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2023/12/11/23996213/75-years-and-counting-the-story-of-the-1978-cleveland-indians Rick Catches the final out of Len Barker’s Perfecto: https://youtu.be/tvnkj8sbpVg?si=67kBJnhmX-ttdC0W The Baseball Bug: https://www.milb.com/news/baseball-bug-x6063 Robin Yount moves to Centerfield: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1b4mm4KgRD/Rick robs a home run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S31r1jN6Lm4
Transcribe →Kelly Gruber (#113)
Mar 1600:59:00Tap to summarizeThis tough Texan was a two-time MLB All-Star, but will forever be a Superstar. Card 113 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/cardgallery_900/item/1988-topps-113-kelly-gruber_31263128SABR Bio by Mark Davis - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/kelly-gruber/ Inside the Fog Home Run - https://youtu.be/zNANPZgcZGc?si=1gbwYaLVa7ay9A-GKelly with the First Blue Jays Cycle - https://youtu.be/_sgfrVqQ4EQ?si=PAO3kHtiyA6tJRZGKelly on Superstars - https://mopupduty.com/blast-from-the-past-kelly-gruber/Kids in the Hall reference Kelly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzjJ27yaeyI Kelly hits an ALCS Homer - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3113518208760610A World Series Triple Play…or was it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4MO4v5-zPUKelly made the tag - https://ik.imagekit.io/mopupduty/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/gruber-triple-play.jpg World Series HOmer - https://www.mlb.com/video/gruber-s-game-tying-homer-c31116859?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-shareWorld Series face plant - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBvnmgeOmo0Kelly interviewed after he was traded - https://youtu.be/Msw8Zn0a__E?si=8it0-ezlQ7mbtlxRKelly is rude in 2018 - https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/kelly-gruber-innappropriate-comments-1.4708196 Kelly interview in Athletic - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/392391/2018/06/14/20-questions-with-former-blue-jay-kelly-gruber-on-singing-water-skis-and-an-old-stance-he-just-will-not-surrender/
Transcribe →Tommy Hinzo (#576)
Mar 900:30:23Tap to summarizeIf your minor league manager tells you you're getting sent on the next plane down to Kinston, check the ticket before you get too upset. Card 576 on Beckett - https://www.beckett.com/baseball/1988/topps-tiffany/576-tommy-hinzo-39158371989 LA Times - https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-16-sp-1810-story.htmlTommy on Brett Davis Unleashed - https://www.facebook.com/IQPodcasts/photos/a.116370870008228/129760832002565/
Transcribe →