1988 topps by Matt Kuzma and David McEllis

Meet Flan, the coolest guy in the set.

The Eyes of Texas were upon him... and Steve Goodman thought he should keep his eyes on the ball.

Clutch hitting defined: this guy hit two home runs the night he was supposed to be laid off, saving his job and probably 10 more years of solid Quad-A ball.

Counterintuitively, when Rod Carew says your pitching is "Little League Slop," it probably means you are doing something right.

This controversial pitcher closed off opportunities for women umpires for decades by opening his big mouth.

Jeff from Two Strike Noise joins David for a Giants game and a pack of legends.

A card so great, we just had to sing about it.

If there are three true outcomes in baseball, this Mariners bomber had two of them (the HRs and Ks) nailed.

Inside: Everything you ever wanted to know about the 2005 World Series-winning Chicago White Sox. RIP Bobby Jenks

Before this defensive specialist became a legendary manager in the Dominican League, he was almost a landmark trade in Yankees' history.

Plain and simple, he had the best-known name, face, and sideburns of 1980s baseball and baseball cards.

Of all the celebrities named Moose, the most famous is probably the actor / Jack Russell Terrier who played Eddie on Frasier. RIP

Little known fact: Tina Turner originally wanted to write a song called "Personal Catcher" about backups who create that trusted relationship with ace pitchers, but she couldn't get the lyrics to fit her melody. She went with "Private Dancer" instead, and the rest is history.

Welcome to Season 6 of the 1988 Topps Podcast!

When ... the ...

This All-Star Rookie had his life saved by a call to the pen, er, apartment.

This Stanford grad from Montana had one good season on the mound in Baltimore -- then had a change of plans after a snowy night in Idaho.

The third-best baseball player of all time born in Donora, PA.

Although the 1987 rookie season for "Benz" was a good one, there is no proof that he was the inspiration for the 1988 No. 1 hit "Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles.

Legendary artist Dick Perez and filmmaker Marq Evans join the pod to talk about their new movie "The Diamond King" along with Dick's favorite Donruss Diamond King card, the 1995 Chili Davis.

True, Lloyd McClendon holds the all-time single series record for batting average and on-base percentage in a playoff series. But his Little League World Series performance makes that look like child's play.

A managerial rookie card! This Cuban national played every field position and was an All-Star in both leagues. Definitely not a bozo.

This catcher and future manager was great on defense, but he really hit for power when tubers were on the line.

James from the "Remember That Guy" podcast joins to answer a simple question:

It wasn't officially a *perfect* game, but it was still simply irresitible.

In a discussion of famous people named "Buddy," your hosts somehow forgot the most famous Buddy of the 1980's, 1985 Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator (and coach of some other teams) Buddy Ryan.

Jeff Snider of Locked on Dodgers returns to the show to discuss his first favorite player growing up — a power hitter we're sure you'll go Head Over Heels for.

Author Marshall Garvey joins us to talk about this blue-collar reliever who changed baseball history with one flap of his butterfly wings. Check out the new book!

This well-traveled reliever and pitching coach had a mustache fit for the OK Corral.

Rejected rhymes include finicky, panicky, and the slant rhyme monarchy.

MVP, All-Star, and Hall of Fame voters rarely gave Chet his due, but we here at the 1988 Topps Podcast bleed Lemon red.

Jeff from Two Strike Noise joins to talk about the coolest card in the 1998 Topps set.

This outfielder from the Bronx had a first career marred by injury, and a second one marred by terrorism.

The Beach Boys' original lyric, "I wish they all could be Quebecois girls" was rejected out of hand.

For a record five times in his career, this speedy outfielder was the only thing preventing his team from losing in a no-hitter.

"Valenzuelunacy" was first proposed, but just never had the right ring to it.

This outfielder stole a record 123 bases in a single season in the minors, but in the majors he had trouble getting up to speed.

Wear a life jacket.

This mild-mannered shortstop and World Series-winning coach was accidentally shot in the head by Robin Yount.

This defensive specialist made a successful return to home run hitting after 10+ years away from dingers. No word yet on how this may have inspired the return of Oasis.

In an alternate universe episode of Boy Meets World, Nails beats up Mr. Feeny and teaches Cory to dip.

This crafty left-hander got schooled by Dr. J in college, but he won a Cy Young and a ring thanks to some Orioles Magic.

Adam Darowski of Sports Reference joins the show to discuss one of the most underrated outfielders of the 1980s.

Beware! The mascots of Jamestown, NY will become the mascots of your nightmares!

What present do you get for the Dad who seems to have everything? A contract rider for a sweet performing gig!

Both club soda and seltzer are types of water that are carbonated by injection, with club soda having some additional added salts like sodium chloride and disodium phosphate. Mineral water, however, is naturally carbonated and must contain 250 parts per million of dissolved solids from the source.

Unused puns from this episode:

There was a time when 50 homers in a season was a very big deal. That was the time of the very big Cecil Fielder.

This speedy outfielder went .750/.800/1.250 in a victorious World Series. Then, two years later, he laid an egg.

In 1986, the top player in terms of WAR in the National League was Mike Scott. #2 was Rick Rhoden. What?

This hard-throwing reliever was as comfortable at the free throw line as he was on the mound.

This veteran catcher never pulled a sword from a stone, but he did become Kansas City royalty.

Glenn brags. Mike is done. Randy is ready. Sam and Steve play the horn and sax. But none compare to the onomatopoeia of Lazorko!

This two-time World Series winner was the best sequel to a Terminator since Robert Patrick.

The descent of Eric Show from a talented pitcher and musician -- to hardcore addict -- to dead at age 37 is one of the saddest stories we've covered.

Fun Fact: Most people in New Jersey are born at the racetrack.

Welcome to Season 5!

Inspired by Jim Traber's singing of the National Anthem before his own baseball game, we offer the 1988 Topps Podcast Triathlon:

An episode about a Florida Man almost losing his hand, but not to an encounter with a snake or gator!

Zak Ford, author of Called Up: Ballplayers Remember Becoming Major Leaguers, joins the pod to talk about this Future Star.

This no-nonsense lefty spent 11 years in MLB and now lives on a 60-foot boat. What more is there to say?

While Yogi Berra once said, “All pitchers are liars or crybabies,” this Yankees legend (and friend of Yogi) may have been an exception.

This Puerto Rican outfielder wore his emotions on his sleeve and his fortunes around his neck.

This all-around athlete only hit 13 homers in the regular seasons of his career, but his 1983 ALCS game-winning blast was as easy as ABC.

This catcher from South Philly wasn't afraid to joke—or spar—with the best of 'em.

Clerk: [announced over speaker] Paging Mr. Herm. Mr. Herm, you have a telephone call at the front desk.

This unassuming reliever twisted batters into pretzels with his unconventional delivery.

This gold medalist never made it to the bigs, but his commitment to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats was major league.

Editor's Note: In 1988, Beany and Cecil returned to TV as The New Adventures of Beany and Cecil. The new version was produced and directed by John Kricfalusi, creator of The Ren and Stimpy Show. We regret the omission of this important information.

When this versatile pitcher went on a losing streak, it was bulletin board material.

This defensive shortshop never made it as a big league prospect, but he continues to make his mark discovering and nurturing future stars. Plus, how does a 1.4 WAR performance make someone an All-Star Rookie AND an All-Star on the premier baseball video game of the decade?

Mark Simon returns to the pod to discuss Elaine Benes' most-famous boyfriend (other than Lloyd Braun, of course.)

This versatile reliever had one of the best closer seasons in Major League history and one of our favorite quotes: 

This versatile lefty joined the pros at age 18 and pitched for 19 years. And as far as we can tell, he never had a case of the Mondays! Card 442 on Beckett SABR Bio by David Moore Antioch pitcher drafted! Tom profiled at Greatest 21 Days Story about 'The Way Down' Nashville Sounds, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles

This brookie combines brownie batter and chocolate chip cookie dough to create a decadent half brownie, half cookie bar that's fun and easy to make.

This Minnesota journeyman moved 52 times in his 17-year baseball career, but as long as he found a spot in the outfield, he felt at home.

“I don’t think [the 1988 Topps Podcast has] any weaknesses. Some people have God’s gift to [podcast], and I think [they] have it.”

After listening to this episode, you will definitely know who Von Hayes is.

With the simple push of a button, the Brazilian judge magically turned one gold medal into two.

First in our alphabet, first in our hearts, first in polished concrete.

Welcome to the 1988 Topps Podcast: Presidential Edition

This journeyman reliever tested 1980s Georgia labor laws as he worked for the minimum wage and made tips.

This speedster from Alabama played 13 years in the bigs and had one of the best seasons at the plate in minor league baseball history.

Tart - a - Bull. Tart - a - Bull.

Some guys have all the luck,

Saturday Night Live, April 17, 1976:

It's me. Hi. I'm the podcast, it's me. (Bill's Version)

SABR Board President Mark Armour joins the pod to talk about one of the best shortstops of the 1960s who then became an "old school" manager at age 36.

Fun Fact: Tim Birtsas is taller than any candidate for the US Presidency in a general election.

This Mississippi native was a reliable backup for the Mets and Dodgers. But after Hurricane Katrina, he needed some backup of his own.

This hard-throwing reliever went from the top of his game at age 31 to a violent death at age 35. The story behind Donnie Moore's downfall is far more complicated than just giving up a big home run.

"I am glad to hear of their coming, but they will have to wait a few minutes till I get my turn at bat."

This hard-working second baseman didn't steal the hearts of Braves fans—he struck, squeezed, and subdued them, then swallowed them whole.

He had the All-Star Rookie card, the nickname, the bat, and the confidence. Could he live up to the legacy of Fenway's left field legends?

The Ultimate Ultimate Ultimate Ultimate Grand Slam is being down 3-0, bottom of the 9th, no team hits yet, bases loaded from 3 walks/errors, 3-2 count, double doink home run off the foul pole and the scoreboard.

Austin, Texas is famous for many things: live music, barbecue, bats, being weird, and Hit By Pitch king Don Baylor.

From the Google Reviews: "It's my favorite 'home away from home' place for pizza. I won't eat pizza from any other establishment! Love Shaners!!!

This episode is as Chicago as a box full of sport peppers, deep dish pizza, House music, and bad Cubs general management decisions.

“Where does he sleep, where does he vote? Where does he go back to every night to watch movies? It boils down to that. And if that is any place in Chicago for an extended period of time, then he's a resident.”