I have done not one, but two posts like this, and both have gotten surprisingly great response, so why not do a 3rd version of Random things I have found on Cards?
As is the case with the previous two posts, if it is an object on a card, I will attempt to find the card with the first mention or use of the object.
1994 and 1995 Topps are littered with great info on the backs of the cards. Mark Lemke's 1994 Topps card mentions a game in 1987 where Mark got into a collision and his false teeth popped out and got stuck in an umpire's mask. While that would be wacky enough as it is, I ask myself: If the card is correct, and Lemke was born in 1965, that would make him 22 when he played that game. How many 22 year olds do you know with false teeth? Even weirder than that, isn't there a Braves team issue card or something where Mark is pictured with a whole orange in his mouth?
I just recently purchased a 1996 Gallery complete set, and had I not done so, I wouldn't have known about this card. I have gotten up at 3AM enough to know what a yawn looks like, and I'm pretty sure that this card of Pete Schourek is the first one to picture a player yawning.
If you look behind Greg's left ear, you can spot a can of Pepsi. As a Pepsi brand connoisseur, I can say I totally agree with Greg's (or the Brewer's) drink choices.
TATTOO: 1993 Topps #745 Eric Davis
While I might be wrong on this one, this is one of the first cards that I have noticed a tattoo on a player. While we are talking about Davis, I don't think he is remembered enough in baseball circles. I feel like everybody whines (or whined) about Gil Hodges, Ted Simmons, Vada Pinson, Ron Santo, Dale Murphy, etc. needing to be in the Hall of Fame, and they don't look back at Eric's career. He had a monster 1987 season, almost going 40/40, led the Reds to a title in 1990, beat cancer, had some decent seasons for the Reds, Cardinals, and Orioles after that, but nobody talks about him.
I'm going to switch to basketball really quick. I collected basketball cards from about 1996-1998, as I played middle school hoops during those years. Unfortunately for me, I didn't pull any Kobe Bryant rookies. I did, however, pull this Anthony Bowie, with him pictured holding a keychain (I think) of Steve Urkel (I think). It may also be a pen, as he has some paper next to him. Need to find someone who knows Anthony so they can ask him.
On the back of 3D's '96/'97 Collector's Choice issue, he is pictured giving an interview with a balloon hat on. I loved watching Dennis hit 3's for the Magic in the late '90's. That lineup of him, Shaq, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, and Horace Grant was scary, and they should've won a NBA Finals, especially with Jordan basically retired for 2 years. There was no way that Rockets team was better than them in 1995/1996.
There may be an earlier occurrance, but I belive this 1984 Donruss Dave Parker is the first card picturing a player with an earring. I think it became more common a few years later when Bonds debuted.
CHEESE HEAD: 1996/1997 Collector's Choice #28 Bulls Victory Tour
In this subset, Upper Deck chronicles the Chicago Bulls race to 70 wins in 1995/1996. On the back of this card, Dennis Rodman is pictured wearing a cheesehead that became popular in football in the '90's with the rise of the Green Bay Packers. Not sure why a Chicago player wouldn't be supporting the Bears, but Rodman is special, and probably didn't care.
PLASTIC BAG: 2009 Topps Update #320 Mark/Daniel Schlereth
This one features Daniel Schlereth, with his Dad Mark, who played football in the NFL. It also has Mark holding a piece of paper and a plastic bag with something in it. I may be able to find out the answer, as Daniel is the pitching coach for USF, and will be coming to DeLand to take on Stetson University in a few weeks. I will definitely try to ask Daniel, and maybe tell him about this post.
RING: 2003 Upper Deck #326 Carl Everett
I love me some Carl Everett. He speaks what is on his mind, and has some flashy cards. I got his autograph when he was with the Montreal/Washington, and he was a class act. On his 2003 UD card, Carl is pictured wearing a big ring. Carl has some cool photos on cards, including a bat hug, one showing muscles, a HR celebration, pointing at the camera, and a teammate giving him moose horns. Check out some of his late '90's and early '00's cards on TCDB. You will be glad you did.
WATER BOTTLE: 1992 Upper Deck #255 Cecil Fielder
This card is great just because it has The Famous Chicken on it. It also has a folding beach chair (probably another first), and a water bottle. So much fun on one card.
Roger is another one with crazy photos on cards. On his 1992 UD issue, Roger is giving the bleacher fans at Wrigley Field a shower with a hose that he got ahold of. I think the guy on the left with no shirt probably needs one.
STREET SIGN: 1992 Upper Deck #51 Mark Newfield/Rondell White checklist
While is is a fake street sign, this is the first card to feature one on it. It's kind of funny that Newfield ended up playing just a season or two for Seattle before getting traded to the Padres. White spent a decent amount of time with the Expos, but I remember him being the first big free agent signing for Detroit after they were rebuilding in the early '00's. Between him, Troy Percival, Fernando Vina, Dmitri Young, Kenny Rogers, Carlos Guillen, and Ivan Rodriguez, those signings gave Detroit its' core to build around with young rookies, and they should've won the 2006 World Series with that crew over an obviously weaker Cardinals team.
I have no idea where this was taken (probably Ruben's offseason home), but this has to be the first card with a balcony, front door, curb, street light, and most anything that you can spot in the card. Kind of makes me want to hunt one down.
MALLET: 1993 Triple Play #129 Equipment
SOME TYPE OF SKI HAT: 1998 Score #107 Doug Drabek
Doug lives in Texas, so it's not surprising that he is cold. This photo was probably taken in Chicago, and the long sleeves suggest it is a cold spring day. I wear a beanie just about 100% of the time when I am not at work, so I could totally relate with Doug wanting to stay warm.
This card shows Curt Schilling beating his glove with a mallet, I guess trying to break it in. The back might have a first, as it shows Kenny Lofton with some tape trying to tape a bat.
This card (which features the Pirate Parrot on the front) talks about the current team mascots in 1992. The Reds had owner Marge Schott's dog Schotzie pictured on the back with Bip Roberts. I know there are some Bip Roberts super collectors out there, and make sure you don't miss out on this one that sometimes slips through the cracks.#
PLAYER WITH ANOTHER TEAM'S HAT: 2003 Upper Deck 40 Man #278 Doug Mientkiewicz
I have always wanted to know the story behind this card. Doug has an Oakland A's helmet. Not sure if it has ear flaps, but it is definitely some player's hat, and I want to know how he got it.
3-TEAM TRIFECTA: 2008 Upper Deck First Pitch #469 Brad Wilkerson
I rediscovered this card a few weeks ago when we saw Stetson University play the University of North Florida, where Brad is a coach. I went through his cards and picked a few to try to get autographed. Should've done this one, but maybe next year or earlier if they come to Stetson for the ASUN tournament.
This card features a player that is mentioned with 3 teams in the same year on the same card. He played for the Rangers in 2007, signed to play with Mariners during the 2007 offseason, played with them for a little while in 2008, then was traded to Toronto in midseason of 2008. It would've been even worse had he got traded in 2007, then it could've been possibly 4 teams. It is just a little confusing where you have a card with a player in a Mariners uniform on the front that says he plays for the Blue Jays on the same photo, and has his stats for the Rangers the previous year on the back. Which team do you put the card with when you are organizing? I feel like this is the type of card Nick from Dime Boxes would collect, and I am going to be on the lookout for more.
This card features a player that is mentioned with 3 teams in the same year on the same card. He played for the Rangers in 2007, signed to play with Mariners during the 2007 offseason, played with them for a little while in 2008, then was traded to Toronto in midseason of 2008. It would've been even worse had he got traded in 2007, then it could've been possibly 4 teams. It is just a little confusing where you have a card with a player in a Mariners uniform on the front that says he plays for the Blue Jays on the same photo, and has his stats for the Rangers the previous year on the back. Which team do you put the card with when you are organizing? I feel like this is the type of card Nick from Dime Boxes would collect, and I am going to be on the lookout for more.
COFFEE MACHINE/COFFEE CUP/TONS OF OTHER STUFF: 2026 Topps #302 Bronx Buddies
The fun doesn't stop in 2026. I've mentioned this card before, but it has some great stuff on it. A coffee/drink machine, a desk, a coffee cup, some artwork, perhaps a light switch, just tons of stuff and a photo that you would think would make it an SP. While it does have the evil empire, I think all of the fun things on it can make me overlook that. Things have been nonstop but good here at my place. I have a SportLots order that is about 5 sellers away from being filled. Once it is, I will have it shipped, and barring any gremlins, it will complete my 1980-2025 Topps complete set run. It also has fun cards of guys I collect and a few Stetson guys to hopefully get autographed before the season is finished.
One reason it has been nonstop is that we got a new puppy. Our last dog passed late last year, and while enjoying no dogs, Karen has been asking me to get one, and we went to a pet store to look at fish, and one thing led to another, and somehow we ended up with a 4 week old boxer/pit mix named Finn. He is a handful, likes to chew things, and barks a lot, but we love him.
Thanks for checking out my latest post.
-Jeremy
has Finn found any of your baseball cards yet?
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