Sunday, March 19, 2023

Five Random Cubs Cards

I've got 20,951 Cubs cards from 316 different brands listed on a spreadsheet. A random number generator picked five cards, one each from the past several decades.


1900s - 1970s: 1968 Topps #179 Bill Stoneman  He pitched in 18 games for the 1968 Cubs and posted an ERA of 5.52.  The Cubs didn't protect him in the expansion draft and the Expos took him.  He tossed a no-hitter in the Expos' ninth game as a franchise.  Who woulda thought?


1980s: 1987 Stuart #31 Jody Davis This is the first card I've seen with the team name in French.  OPC never did that.


1990s: 1991 Team Issued Dwight Smith  This set of cards was given away to all fans attending the game on Wednesday, August 14.  A crowd of 34,817 saw the Expos top the Cubs 2-0.  Smith made an appearance as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.  He hit into a force out at second.


2000s: 2003 Leaf #142 Jon Lieber   He didn't play for the Cubs in 2003.  The Yankees signed him as a free agent, but he spent the season on the DL, recovering from Tommy John surgery.


2010s: 2016 Heritage Minors #209 Gleyber Torres The Yankees got Torres, the Cubs got Chapman and a World Series title.  It was worth it.

3 comments:

  1. OPC listed the position name in French from 1981-83.

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  2. The team name in French is kind of silly. It's hard to imagine someone thinking (in French) "The Chicago Cubs? Who are they? OHHH! Les Cubs de Chicago! I like them!"

    Maybe if they put "Les Oursons de Chicago"....

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    Replies
    1. I suspect it was to appease the language police in Quebec, this brand of pastries was heavily marketed in Quebec.

      But you're right, there aren't many teams that have a different name in French. The only one that comes to mind are the Ottawa Senators / Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa

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