1989 Topps Record Breakers – SET IS COMPLETE!!!

1989 Topps Record Breakers – SET IS COMPLETE!!!

Well, that was nice and easy, huh?

And while it took very little effort to complete, I have to say that this is one of my favorites so far.  Why?  Because this specific subset features some of ’30-YOC’s’ favorite players – from Gary Carter to Wae Boggs to Orel Hershiser and of course, Mr. Andre Dawson!!!

And because this one includes so many of the players that I collect, I really only needed to grab the three ‘other’ guys because I already had doubles of the four that I have built collections of.

So, here it is in its completed state:

The 1989 Topps Record Breakers Set!

Enjoy!!!

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #7 – Kevin McReynolds

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #7 – Kevin McReynolds

Headline – Kevin Steals 21 Without Being Caught!

The Story – St. Louis, MO.  October 2, 1988:  Mets’ Kevin McReynolds has set a major league record of 21 stolen bases with no caught stealing in 1988.  The former mark of 15 steals in as many tries was established by A’s Jimmy Sexton during 1982 campaign.

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #6 – Doug Jones

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #6 – Doug Jones

Headline:  “Jones Earns His 15th Straight Save”

The Story:  Cleveland, Ohio.  July 2, 1988 – Indians’ Doug Jones tonight earned his 15th consecutive save in a 10-7 win vs. Mariners, a major league record.  The former standard of 13 consecutive saves was established by Phillies’ Steve Bedosoian in 1987 season.

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #5 – Orel Hershiser

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #5 – Orel Hershiser

Headline: “Hershiser Pitches 59 Scoreless Innings”

The Story: San Diego, CA.  September 28, 1988:  Dodgers’ Orel Hershiser has completed the 1988 season with 59 consecutive scoreless innings, a major league record.  Dodgers’ Don Drysdale pitched 58 straight innings during 1968 season without allowing a run.

Memories:  I remember this well, and everyone I knew was talking about and collecting Hershiser because of it!!!

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #4 – Andre Dawson

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #4 – Andre Dawson

Headline  – “Dawson Logs Double Figures In HR And SB”

The Story – Chicago, IL.  October 2, 1988:  Cubs’ Andre Dawson has attained 10-or-more Home Runs and Stolen Bases for the 12th consecutive season, a major league record.  The former mark of 11 straight campaigns was set by Bobby Bonds from 1960 through 1979.

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #3 – Gary Carter

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #3 – Gary Carter

Headline – ‘Carter Sets Records For Career Putouts’

The Story – St. Louis, MO.  October 2, 1988:  Mets’ Gary Carter has completed the season with 10,360 career putouts, most of any catcher in major league history.  The former mark of 9,941 putouts by a backstop was set by Tigers’ Bill Freehan, from 1967 thru 1976.

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #2 – Wade Boggs

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #2 – Wade Boggs

Headline – “Boggs Gets 200 Hits 6th Straight Season”

The Story -Cleveland, Ohio.  October 2, 1988.  Red Sox’ Wade Boggs has set modern record with 200 or more hits for sixth consecutive season.  The former mark of 5 campaigns was held by Chuck Klein (1929-1933), Al Simmons (1929-1933), and Charlie Gehringer (1833-1937).

My take – A true stud, think about all of the incredible hitters that came before Boggs that could not meet this mark.  Carew, Brett, Rose, WOW!!!

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #1 – George Bell

1989 Topps Record Breakers – Card #1 – George Bell

Headline – “George Bell Slams 3 HR On Opening Day”

The Story – Kansas City, Mo, April 4, 1988.  Blue Jays’ George Bell today set major league record with 3 home runs on Opening Day in 5-3 win versus Royals.  The former mark of 2 round-trippers in season’s first contest had been accomplished 48 times by 42 players. 

My take – As a kid, my magic number was 10.  The first big leaguer to get to 10 home runs was going to be collected.  And while that little milestone helped me in some years(McGwire in 1987), it hurt me in many others too.  But Bell was off to a fantastic starts with 3 dingers on Opening Day back in 1988!!  And if I recall correctly, I picked up a few rookies of ‘Jorge’ around that time as well…

Next Subset To Build – 1989 Topps Record Breakers!!!

Next Subset To Build – 1989 Topps Record Breakers!!!

Oh Yeah Baby!!!

It’s time to piece together another subset from the 1980’s.  This one comes from the 1989 Topps set, and recalls the records that were broken in during the 1988 baseball season.

There are some great players and cards in this set and I cannot wait to get started showing it off for you.

Get ready, card #1 debuts next Monday!

Enjoy!!!