1988 Topps Big Cartoon Deep Dive: Ozzie Smith

 Great photo on the front.

A couple of interesting cartoons on the back. 

The 1987 Ozzie movie was basically just a documentary about the Wizard.

I remember the reference to the casually-dressed list on the back of his 1987 Topps card. It was a pretty obscure list - put out by a small retailer called California Mart in 1982 to drive some publicity for their casual clothes. According to their fashion director, "the casual look is the style of the Eighties". Joining Smith on the list was a varied group - 49ers QB Joe Montana, entertainers Pat Boone, Johnny Carson, Cary Grant, Hal Linden, Luciano Pavarotti, Robert Wagner and Billy Dee Williams, and the recently resigned Secretary of State, Alexander Haig.

Cake or gum? 1977 Jim Palmer

Cake won the last 1976 matchup, 8-2. Who will kick off 1977 with a win?

Hostess goes with a simple spring training portrait of Palmer, while Topps gives us an action shot a Memorial Stadium with a red-orange Orioles jersey. One of the greatest pitchers of all time, Palmer won at least 20 games for eight out of nine seasons from 1970-1978. He twice led the league in ERA, and his 2.86 career ERA is third lowest since 1920. He was a six-time All Star and won three Cy Young Awards. In his 19-year career he never allowed a grand slam or back-to-back home runs. In 558 games he went 268-152 with 2,212 strikeouts. Well-known for a variety of advertising and commercial appearances, most notably for Jockey, Palmer has been an Orioles and national TV announcer since his 1984 retirement.
 

Wood vs. Wood #271

 Last time 1962 squeaked by with a 6-5 win. Who will come out on top here?

Hatless Ray Ripplemeyer poses in spring training in his Cincinnati Redlegs pinstripes. Originally signed by the Braves in 1954, Ray Rippelmeyer finally made his major league debut with the Senators in 1962. He pitched in 18 games in his only big league season, going 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA. After his playing career he was a long time minor league coach and owned a farm in Illinois. He died in 2022.

Mike Brown hangs out in the dugout of Tiger Stadium. He had been an August trade acquisition from Boston. Brown pitched for the Red Sox and Mariners from 1982 to 1987. In 61 games (42 starts) he went 12-20 with a 5.75 ERA. After his playing career he was a long time minor league coach and scout for several organizations. He retired after the 2020 season.