1982 danny ainge

danny ainge decided he would rather play basketball than baseball, and retired from baseball and the blue jays after the 1981 season. here is his 1982 o-pee-chee card.

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

ainge was still in college when he played for the blue jays, starting in 1979. he had 3 hits in his debut, and it appeared that the high school phenom could do no wrong. however, the blue jays struggled to find ainge a permanent position (he played everywhere but pitcher, catcher and first base), and ainge had his own struggles at the plate while starring for byu in basketball.

in june of 1981, halfway through the baseball season, ainge was drafted by the boston celtics and although he would finish the season with the blue jays, his decision to play basketball instead of baseball was made. i like how o-pee-chee noted that his retirement from baseball was 'voluntary'.  as a casual laker fan during the 'showtime' years, ainge was a guy i couldn't stand. kind of like theo fleury or alex rodriguez.

voici à vous, 1982 danny ainge!