1981 Topps Tippy Martinez

The front: Not a hair out of place as Martinez works out with not hat and a black windbreaker at what looks like Tiger Stadium.

The back: Tippy and Carol Martinez have been married for almost 50 years. Their son Jacen played college baseball, and daughter Courtney Martinez-Connor is the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Arizona State.

The player: Tippy Martinez was a key member of the great Orioles teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s. His best season was 1983, when he was an All-Star and helped the team win a World Series, going 9-3 with 21 saves and a 2.35 ERA. Overall, in 546 games over fourteen seasons with the Yankees, Baltimore and Minnesota, he went 55-42 with 115 saves and a 3.45 ERA. He is best known for setting a record with three pickoffs in one inning in 1983.

The man: Martinez coached for a while but now appears to be retired.

My collection: I have 26 of his cards, from 1976 to 1987. I would be interested in trading for 1983 Fleer Star Stickers #201.