1988 Topps Podcast

09/16/2026

We switched it up and took a deep dive into NCAA Baseball this week learning about Mark Marquess! "Nine" as he was affectionately known served as Stanford's head coach from 1977-2017, winning back to back College World Series titles in 1987-88, and then an Olympic Gold with Team USA in Seoul. More than 200 of his players went pro and he left a legacy of success at Stanford.

Mark passed away earlier this year. RIP Mark Marquess 1947-2026

Listen and links: https://1988toppspodcast.blogspot.com/2026/09/mark-marquess-65t.html

09/11/2026

This week, an University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Baseball star who was drafted by Houston and was a utility man for a couple years...it's Chuck Jackson. This is one of the best looking cards in the set. Chuck was a very good AAA player who deserved another call up and finally got it for 1 game with Texas in 1994. That call up helped his family get insurance when his 3rd child was born.
Listen and links: https://1988toppspodcast.blogspot.com/2026/09/chuck-jackson-94.html

09/10/2026

Great to meet RIP Baseball today! We visited Minnie Minoso and Ernie Banks graves and then had lunch at Pick Me Up Cafe. Just so happens to be across the street from another cemetery!

08/28/2026

LA, a prankster and subject of a famous/infamous trade for a future hall of Famer!

After a decade battling for a spot in the big leagues, Larry Andersen became one of the game's most dependable relievers and one of the most quotable players in baseball.

» https://ow.ly/cAQG50ZGnV6

08/26/2026

This week, a card we didn't think we had ever seen before...Steve Peters! The lefthanded pitching Peters had a 14-0 record in 1985 with Oklahoma Baseball and played 1987-88 with the St. Louis Cardinals. After a couple years at AAA he moved back home to Oklahoma and joined Oklahoma City Fire Department where he served for more than 2 decades before retirement.
Listen and links: https://1988toppspodcast.blogspot.com/2026/08/steve-peters-84t.html

08/18/2026

Born August 18, 1960, it's Mike LaValliere's 66th birthday! Gold Glove catcher, great contact hitter, and fashion icon...LaValliere played parts of 12 seasons in MLB, most notably for the Pirates and White Sox.
We talked about Spanky back in 2022: https://1988toppspodcast.blogspot.com/2022/09/mike-lavalliere-539.html

08/18/2026

This week, a two time World Series champ with the Twins...shortstop Greg Gagne! Gagne overcame a difficult, rebellious childhood to put together a 15 season MLB career. He had a great glove and a solid bat for an 80s shortstop. In 2010 he was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame!

Topics: RBI Corner, another Greg Gagne, Fall River, inside the park homers

Listen/Links: https://1988toppspodcast.blogspot.com/2026/08/greg-gagne-343.html

08/10/2026

This week, a tough man boxer and excellent reliever...the sad story of the late Frank Williams. Frank Williams and his twin brother were orphaned at birth. He was able to find an identity on the baseball field and later connect with his First Nations roots. He was one of the best relievers in baseball for a brief moment in the mid 80s, but sadly his career was done after a 1989 car accident. He struggled with addiction and homelessness, ultimately passing away in 2009.

RIP Frank Williams (1958-2009)

Learn more: https://1988toppspodcast.blogspot.com/2026/08/frank-williams-773.html

08/06/2026

Born August 6, 1954, today is Ken Phelps' 72nd birthday! Phelps had a great eye and good power for the Mariners. He hit his first 100 home runs in 1,322 at-bats. That was the fastest to 100 homers in AL history until it was broken by Joey Gallo in 2019. Ken was traded in 1988 to the Yankees for Jay Buhner...Frank Costanza was not a fan.

While George Steinbrenner visits the Costanza's to tell them of the...

08/01/2026

We threw together a bonus podcast recapping our trip to Pittsburgh! We saw some sights, had a Kuzma family gathering, met some internet friends, ripped some packs, and watched some baseball! Thank you listener Kevin, Tim from Pittsburgh Sports Memories Podcast and Justin of the 1992 Pirates Instagram/TikTok/Etc for meeting up and hanging out!
Links and listen here: https://1988toppspodcast.blogspot.com/2026/08/pittsburgh-trip-bonus-pod.html