backman played in 94 games and hit .243 for the phils in '91. he spent the 1992 season with the phillies before finishing his career in 1993 with the mariners. backman had some troubles after his playing days were over, so it's good to see him back on a major league managerial track as he spent last year guiding the mets' aa team.

voici à vous, 1991 wally backman!

1990 candy maldonado

2011-12-11T08:15:00.001-06:00

candy maldonado signed a free agent deal with the indians in november of 1989. here's his 1990 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

2011-11-23T08:15:00.002-06:00

derrel thomas signed as a free agent with the dodgers after the 1978 season ended. here is his 1979 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

2011-11-05T08:15:00.030-05:00

2011-10-26T08:15:00.012-05:00

wally joyner signed as a free agent with the royals in december of 1991. here's his 1992 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

wally world parlayed a big contract year (21/96/.301) into a big contract and quickly faltered. his first year in kansas city saw his home run total fall to 9, and his average tumble all the way to .269, both perilously close to his career lows at the time. the next three years however, he kept his average up near or over .300, and he always fielded his position well, so maybe the royals didn't lose out on their investment too much. after the 1995 season, the royals moved him to san diego for which i am grateful because it made this card possible.

voici à vous, 1992 wally joyner!

1991 mark parent

2011-10-25T08:15:00.011-05:00

mark parent was traded from the padres to the rangers in december of 1990. here is his 1991 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

parent had just 1 at bat for the rangers (he struck out) in 1991. that was because he was severely injured during a spring intrasquad game. that injury was significant, not just for parent, but for the rangers as well. as a result of parent being unavailable, they promoted ivan rodriguez, and the rest of history. after the season, parent became a free agent and signed with the baltimore orioles.

voici à vous, 1991 mark parent!