1981 Topps Rick Manning

 

The front: It's a bit unusual for the player in the posed shot to be looking away from the camera that way. It's either Yankee Stadium or Tiger Stadium, not sure which.

The back: Manning was one of four Indians to hit seven sacrifice flies in 1979. The other three were Gary Alexander, Bobby Bonds and Andre Thornton.

The player: Rick Manning was a speedy centerfielder with a good glove and an OK bat. Playing for mostly mediocre Cleveland and Milwaukee teams, he played in 1,555 games, hitting .257 with 56 HR, 458 RBI and 168 SB.

The man: Manning's promising career was somewhat derailed by a back injury in 1977 that hurt the Indians in multiple ways. Manning never hit as well after the injury. In early 1978, he stayed at the home of his friend and teammate Dennis Eckersley while recuperating. While there he had an affair with Dennis's wife Denise, which led to the Indians trading the future Hall-of-Famer to Boston for four players who never did much for Cleveland. (Denise later divorced Dennis, married Rick and divorced him too). After his playing career, Manning became an announcer. He joined the Cleveland broadcast booth in 1990 and remains there to this day. His 32+ years announcing for Cleveland is a team record.

My collection: I have 41 of his cards, from 1976 to 1988. I would be interested in trading for 1976 Hostess #12.