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.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Al Nipper (#376/75T)
3w ago00:37:40Tap 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 →Rocky Childress (#643)
Mar 100:29:09Tap to summarize"A rolling stone gathers no moss" is a clever proverb credited to Erasmus, but we like the modern version: "Minor league pitchers should not cancel their apartment leases mid-season"Card 643 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/item/21/1988-topps-643-rocky-childress_26981142Greatest 21 Days - https://www.greatest21days.com/2010/02/rocky-childress-back-to-bend-354.html?m=0Halifax Explosion at the Maritime Museum - https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/vincent-coleman-and-halifax-explosion Canadian Heritage Minute - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw-FbwmzPKo Rappin Rodney - https://youtu.be/mWTKhQzQl1A?si=LTXJW4ln36-f5JGSSunset Plumbing Videos - https://www.youtube.com/@sunsetplumbingofbend6859
Transcribe →Carlton Fisk (#385/321)
Feb 2301:13:47Tap to summarizeThis Hall of Famer is emphatically NOT the pride of Vermont, but he is one of our host's all-time favorites. Card #385 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/ziggys_672/item/1988-topps-385-carlton-fisk_32570197Card #321 on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Topps-White-Leaders-NM-MT/dp/B0F561QTDTSABR Bio by Brian Stevens - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/carlton-fisk/ Fisk vs Deion article - https://andscape.com/features/deion-sanders-carlton-fisk-fight-yankee-stadium/Fisk in the National Portrait Gallery - https://npg.si.edu/blog/carlton-fisk-tough-guyFisk’s page at the Hall of Fame - https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/fisk-carlton 1991 Topps Fisk Card - https://lifetimetopps.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/1991-topps-best-action-fisk.jpg Fisk Hall of Fame speech, all 37 minutes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUjfOUy5jnwThat Home Run, you know the one - https://www.mlb.com/video/top-postseason-hrs-carlton-fisk?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share How a Rat led to that iconic waving shot - https://youtu.be/eMtFUN6vXug?si=MgTIQBT1_9Qrion11981 White Sox Opening Day at Fenway - https://www.mlb.com/video/fisk-s-opening-day-monster-homer-c63708483?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share Fisk makes a bang bang double play - https://www.mlb.com/video/running-it-back-to-a-crazy-play-at-the-plate?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share Fisk and Deion squabble - https://www.mlb.com/video/fisk-s-confrontation-with-deion?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share 1991 All-Star Game Pudge makes a tag - https://www.mlb.com/video/fielder-throws-out-clark-at-home-c530298483?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share
Transcribe →John Shelby (#428)
Feb 1500:47:31Tap to summarizeSome lessons, like "Don't foul the ball off your own eye," have to be learned the hard way. Card 428 on Beckett - https://marketplace.beckett.com/threestarssportscards_925/item/1988-topps-428-john-shelby_43464379Briggs Card Company on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586280361464 Sarasota Magazine Interview with Shelby - https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2024/03/john-shelby-mlb SABR Bio by Malcolm Allen - https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/john-shelby/ Shelby with a World Series RBI - https://youtu.be/N9g21AxcbGg?si=xgDfquia5OxpzzCK&t=5969 Shelby Robs Fisk - https://www.mlb.com/video/shelby-robs-fisk-of-extra-bases-c37202907?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-shareShelby catches the final out 1988 NLCS Game 4 - https://www.mlb.com/video/shelby-catches-final-out-c25631733?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share Shelby catches the final out of 1988 NLCS Game 5 - https://www.mlb.com/video/shelby-s-catch-ends-game-5-c494898583?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-shareShelby vs Clemens - https://youtu.be/zMJ3lXj-thA?si=m48TpfssEvfa8HuRShelby vs Frazier Standoff! https://youtu.be/jKQ66Ghuthw?si=Ndjp8wbjOtM8ss-o
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