1981 Topps Billy Sample

 

The front: Sample strikes a cool pose - don't know if this was posed or a well-timed candid, but this photo has a lot of personality.

The back: Sample's .382 average was 25 points higher than the runner-up, Jim Gaudet.

The player: Sample played nine seasons in the major leagues for the Rangers, Yankees and Braves. In 826 games he hit .272 with 46 HR and 230 RBI. His best season was 1983, when he hit .247 with 12 HR, 57 RBI and 44 SB for Texas.

The man: He has written the script for a baseball movie that was released in 2013 called Reunion 108, (available on Amazon and IMDB.com) and has acted in that and several other movies. In 2016 he wrote an autobiography, A Year in Pinstripes ... And Then Some. In 2014, he shared some great baseball card stories with this blog.

My collection: I have 28 of his cards, from 1979 to 1987. I would be interested in trading for 1983 Affiliated Food Stores Texas Rangers #5.