Sunday, September 2, 2018

1981 Topps Cliff Johnson

The front: All the focus is on the afro and fu-manchu mustache. The dark blue pinstriped Cubs uniform is cool too.

The back: Johnson had already had a pretty long career, but it seems like Topps could have fit in a brief blurb if they wanted too.

The player: Cliff Johnson was a backup catcher and pinch hitter extraordinaire who played for six teams in a fifteen year career. His 196 pinch hit home runs stood as a record until 2010. He is probably best known for his time with the Yankees, where he backed up Thurman Munson on the 1977 and 1978 World Series champs, then was traded to Cleveland the next season after injuring Goose Gossage in a brawl in the clubhouse bathroom.

The man:  Other than the one fight, Johnson basically stayed out of controversy during and after his career. In his retirement, he has gone back to his native Texas to raise horses and cattle. His brother in law is former MLB star Mike Easler.

My collection: I have 31 of his cards, from 1975 to 1987. I would be interested in trading for 1976 Topps #249 and 1977 Topps #514.

1 comment:

  1. 196 pinch hit homers is a lot. I think his 20 pinch hit homers was the actual record. :)

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