Wednesday, April 30, 2025

1988 Topps Big Cartoon Deep Dive: Andy Van Slyke

 Van Slyke follows through in San Diego.

  

Van Slyke was one of the more intelligent and colorful players of his time.

Most Popular Pirate was a fan vote. He had been traded for Tony Pena, the reigning Most Popular Pirate.

Van Slyke still plays chess today, and has participated in St. Louis Chess Club charity events with other former Cardinals such as Al Hrabosky, John Costello and Jason Simontacchi.

Rounding it out with some rare baseball card appearances by Coltrane and Haydn.
 

2 comments:

  1. A. Impressed that you figured out that photo was in San Diego. My eyes suck.

    B. Props to Andy for beating out Barry and Bobby in 1987.

    C. Pretty cool to see John Coltrane's name make a cameo on this baseball card. It'd be cool to see what other artists/bands make the card backs in this set.

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  2. That almost looks like a laptop in the computer chess illustration. Fancy for 1988!

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