1981 Topps Fred Martinez

The first time there was a major delay in the baseball season, these would have been the cards that kids collected while they waited for baseball to resume . . .

The front: Martinez looks like he has been taken by surprise in this candid photo at Tiger Stadium.

The back: Martinez spent all of 1980 in the major leagues after that 25-17 start to his minor league career. He spent six more seasons in the minors, going 30-45.

The player: The Angels Rookie of the Year in 1980, Martinez only pitched two more major league games in 1981.

The man: After his baseball career Martinez became a firefighter in Los Angeles.

My collection: I have four of his cards, from 1981 to 1982. I would be interested in trading for 1985 Riley’s Sports Gallery Louisville Redbirds #20.