Topps 2002 Traded #246 - Brad Bouras Have any of you ever heard of this guy? I hadn't. He was a 21st round draft choice in 2001 and gets a card in 2002. This was probably based on his .349 average at Boise (Class A) in '01. His average dropped the next two years and it looks like he was released after 2003. He spent 2004 in independent ball and that was it for Brad Bouras.
Heritage 2004 #121 - Kyle Farnsworth How can a guy who throws that fast be so bad? Because he throws it straight and the hitters figure him out and crush him. After going 4-5 in 2004, the Cubs finally gave up on Dr. Tightpants and traded him to the Tigers.
Upper Deck 2001 #181 - Joe Girardi Joe was now in his second stint with the Cubs. This time around, he was a veteran leader and back up catcher. He played in 78 games and hit .253.
Topps 1975 #352 Darold Knowles Knowles came to the Cubs in the trade that sent Billy Williams to the A's. That would be the reason for the bad airbrush job on this card. He was the Cubs closer in 1975 and had 15 saves. BUT...he also had a 6-9 record and a 5.81 ERA. He would be replaced as closer in 1976 by a rookie with an unknown trick pitch, the split-finger fastball. Darold Knowles was out, Bruce Sutter was in.
Topps 1983 #83 Ryne Sandberg This is the Topps rookie card of Ryno. Do you think Marlboro paid Topps to be on the card? Also, notice that he is listed as a third baseman, the position he played for most of 1982. By late in the season the Cubs had decided to switch him to second and he played the last 24 games at second. I guess no one bothered to tell Topps of the switch. Sandberg made the most of the it, winning the Gold Glove in his first season as a second baseman.
Nice bonus Gracie on the Girardi card.
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