1977 rick burleson

o-pee-chee got us up close and personal with rick burleson in 1977, thanks to a tighter crop of his photo.  they also lowered his facsimile autograph.  here is his 1977 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

batting leadoff for the red sox, burleson led the american league in 1977 with 721 plate appearances and 663 at bats.  he also hit 2 of his 3 home runs that year leading off the game.  he also posted a batting average of .293 and was voted to start the all-star game at shortstop, going 0 for 2 in his first midsummer classic.

voici à vous, 1977 rick burleson!

1987 rick burleson

rick burleson signed a free agent deal with the orioles in january of 1987.  here's his 1987 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

after his first season in anaheim, burleson had a tough go of it thanks to a shoulder injury.  in baltimore, he was hoping for a fresh start, but wound up being released in july after hitting just .209 in 62 games.  the only two home runs he hit as an oriole, the last two home runs of his career, both came against the angels.

voici à vous, 1987 rick burleson!

1981 rick burleson

rick burleson was acquired by the angels in a december 1980 trade with the red sox.  here's his 1981 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

burleson went on to have his best season since 1977 for the angels in '81.  he matched his career best batting average (.293, last attained in that 1977 season) and was named to the al all-star squad for the first time since starting the midsummer classic in 1977.  unfortunately, a weight room accident caused the rooster to miss most of the next 5 seasons, including all of the 1985 campaign.

voici à vous, 1981 rick burleson!