1989 bert blyleven

bert blyleven, the newest hall of famer, was traded by the twins to the angels in november of 1988.  here's his 1989 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

i won't get into the debate about why it took a guy who retired third all-time in strikeouts (and is currently fifth all-time) so long to be voted into the hall of fame.  i will, however, note that blyleven led the league in losses in 1988 with 17 before the twins dealt him away.  for the angels in 1989, bert turned the tables on his record by winning 17 games and leading the league in shutouts with 5.  his 2.73 era was good for fourth in the league, and he earned the american league's comeback player of the year award, along with some cy young and mvp votes as a result.

congratulations bert, and voici à vous, 1989 bert blyleven!