1981 Topps Bill Nahorodny

 

The front: Nahorodny at bat in Shea Stadium. Can't tell who's more locked in - Nahorodny waiting for the pitch, or the batboy waiting to spring out of the dugout to grab a discarded bat. This must be May 24, 1980. "Naha" went 0-4 that day. The Mets would eventually win in the tenth on a walk-off single by Elliott Maddox.

The back: From the 1950s to the 1970s Rawlings awarded "Silver Gloves" to top fielding minor leaguers.

The player: Catcher Bill Nahorodny played parts of nine seasons in the majors with six teams. In 308 games he hit .241 with 25 HR and 109 RBI.

The man: He worked in a variety of jobs after his playing career, most notably as a guard at the Pinellas Juvenile Detention Center in Florida. He is now retired, focusing on his music and art. He recently produced a two-CD collection of baseball songs and stories, called "At the Ballyard".

My collection: I have eight of his cards, from 1978 to 1984. I would be interested in trading for 1985 Cramer #39.