#113T - Tim Stoddard

What a card: Tim Stoddard signed as a free agent with the Padres on Jan. 8, 1985, three months after he played on the Cubs team that lost to the Padres in the NLCS.

How'd that go: Not tremendous. The man with 76 career saves managed just one save in 1.5 seasons with the Padres and was shipped to the Yankees for Ed Whitson in the middle of the 1986 season.

Backatya: A 6-foot-7 pitcher was pretty freakish in the days before Randy Johnson, Jon Rauch and the like.

Back-to-back: The Traded card is quite an improvement on Stoddard's odd flagship card, which is No. 693 in the set and was originally blogged on Aug. 18, 2017.

The blog wants to speak now: The Other Cards category is updated.

#96T - Jerry Royster

What a card: Jerry Royster signed as a free agent with the Padres on Jan. 3, 1985 after nine seasons with the Braves.

How'd that go: Not bad. He hit better in 1985 than he had since 1979, but he was mostly a role player like he was with the Braves.

Backatya: I've said this before but the "-" line for batting average, such as Royster's 1974 season, fascinated me as a kid. How did he have two runs and no at-bats! Baseball was so strange and wonderful.

Back-to-back: Royster is sporting the memorial "R.A.K." initials in honor of former team owner Ray Kroc. It's the fourth card in the set in which the initials are prominently on display.

The flagship card is No. 776 in the set and was originally blogged on April 9, 2018.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated.

#59T - LaMarr Hoyt

What a card: LaMarr Hoyt traveled from the White Sox to the Padres in a Dec. 6, 1984 trade that sent Ozzie Guillen, Luis Salazar, Tim Lollar and Bill Long to the White Sox.

How'd that go: Great for the first year. Coming off an 18-loss season, Hoyt went 16-8 for the Padres in 1985, started the All-Star Game and was named MVP of the game. But he was out of the majors by 1987.

Backatya: Small sample-size but that's nearly two home runs a game!

Back-to-back: Hoyt got to wear two of the most distinctive mid-1980s uniforms in Major League Baseball. Can't say I liked either of them.

The flagship card is No. 520 in the set and was originally blogged on April 6, 2016.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated.

#28T - Jerry Davis

What a card: This is the seventh rookie card in the set and one of the more obscure players. Davis played in 44 games for the Padres in 1985, batting .293. He never returned to the majors.

My observation on the front: Brown is an odd color for a professional team (unless your name is "the Browns"), but the Padres need to own it as part of their history from the beginning by including the color in their primary uniform. None of this blue stuff.

More opinion from me: I have absolutely no memory of Jerry Davis.

Something you might know: Davis won the starting left field job and led off during the defending NL champion Padres' opening game in 1985. A knee injury forced him to retire by 1987.

Something you might not know: If you're looking for this card on COMC, you will have to do a search for former 1970s infielder Jerry DaVanon because that's the name listed on the site for Davis' 1985 Traded cards.

My observation on the back: Davis is a Christmas baby.

The blog wants to speak now: The Other Cards category is updated.

#12T - Al Bumbry

What a card: Al Bumbry became a free agent in November 1984 and signed with the Padres on March 28, 1985.

How'd that go: Bumbry played in just 68 games for San Diego, batted .200 and that was it. He was a free agent again after the 1985 season and he hung it up.

Backatya: Referring to Vietnam as "Viet Nam" is a bit outdated, although apparently the United Nations and the Vietnamese government still splits it into two words.

Back-to-back: 

The original card is No. 726, blogged on Nov. 20, 2017.

As someone who started collecting when Bumbry first started appearing on baseball cards, and pulling his Orioles card year-after-year for more than 10 years, seeing him as a Padre is quite strange. 

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.

#789 - Luis Salazar

What a card: After playing regularly for the Padres the previous three years, Luis Salazar was limited to part-time status in 1984, brought on by the acquisition of Graig Nettles at third base.

My observation on the front: Dugout cards are always tremendous. Salazar features the additional bonus of the bubble-letter Padres uniform and the flip-sunglasses.

More opinion from me: The Padres should always wear the bubble-letter jerseys. It won't make me like them any more but at least they'll be fun to view.

Something you might know: Salazar's acquisition by the Cubs at the end of August in 1989 helped boost Chicago to the NL East title as he hit .326 in his 25 games with Chicago in September. He also batted .368 in the NLCS against the Giants that year.

Something you might not know: Salazar lost his left eye seven years ago after he was struck in the face by a foul liner hit by the Braves' Brian McCann while watching a spring training game in the dugout. Salazar was removed from the game via ambulance but was back coaching a month later. This season he's the manager of the Braves' Florida State League team, the Florida Fire Frogs.

My observation on the back: Willie Wilson has been joined by Ichiro Suzuki (704 in 2004) as the only AL players to reach 700 at-bats. At the time, Wilson held the major league record with 705. That record was broken in 2007 by Jimmy Rollins with 716.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.

#762 - Eddie Whitson

What a card: Eddie Whitson enjoyed a career year in 1984, winning 14 games in 31 starts for the NL champion Padres. He won Game 3 of the NLCS and started Game 2 of the World Series for San Diego.

My observation on the front: Topps insisted on calling Whitson "Eddie" on his cards. All of the other card companies called him "Ed," which is all I knew him as during his career.

More opinion from me: The many printing dots are spoiling what would be a terrific golden card on a blue background.

Something you might know: Whitson turned his successful 1984 season into a big contract with the Yankees, then got off to a terrible start in 1985, causing fans to turn on him and send him hate mail. Later that season he got into a brawl with manager Billy Martin.

Something you might not know: During Whitson's difficulty in New York, he once found nails driven into his driveway behind all four tires of his vehicle.

My observation on the back: The Giants now play their home games in "AT&T Park" because wonderful-sounding ballpark names are a relic of the past.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated.

#735 - Garry Templeton

What a card: Garry Templeton completed his third of 10 seasons with the Padres in 1984. He appeared in 148 games, batting .258, but he hit .324 in the NLCS and the World Series in the only postseason appearance of his career.

My observation on the front: I like many of Templeton's cards, but they are all his early ones with the Cardinals. His Padres cards are pretty boring.

More opinion from me: I just completed the Greatest 100 Cards of the '70s countdown on my main blog and I have no idea how the 1977 Templeton card didn't make the list.

Something you might know: Templeton is the guy the Cardinals traded to San Diego to get Ozzie Smith. (The Padres also received Sixto Lezcano and Steve Mura).

Something you might not know: Templeton is known as the first major league to collect 100 hits from each side of the plate, which was recorded in 1979. But he probably didn't actually achieve it. To this day, Templeton says he should have remained a right-handed hitter. He said he was converted to switch-hitting but was never interested in doing it.

My observation on the back: The Orioles held the ALCS games-won lead 18 to 12 over the Yankees as of 1984. Since that point, the Orioles have won just three more ALCS games and the Yankees have won 36. The new totals:

Yankees: 48
Red Sox: 26
Athletics: 23
Orioles: 21
Royals: 20
Tigers: 18
Indians: 17
Blue Jays: 16
Angels: 13
Twins: 9
Rangers: 8
White Sox: 7
Mariners: 5
Astros: 4
Rays: 4
Brewers: 3

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.

#717 - Tony Gwynn All-Star

What a card: Tony Gywnn led the league in hits and batting average, each for the first time in his career, in 1984.

My observation on the front: A fine-looking card. Love the sky background.

More opinion from me: Skinny Gwynn does not compute.

All-Star Game performance: Gwynn went 1-for-3 with a fifth-inning single in the 1984 All-Star Game, his first all-star appearance. He also stole a base.

Legitimate All-Star card or fake All-Star card: It's legit. Gwynn started in left field for the NL and was the leadoff hitter.

My observation on the back: Gwynn just dominated the field in the batting average category. Also, second place, Lee Lacy?

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated.

#689 - Luis DeLeon

What a card: Luis DeLeon's playing time and performance took a dive in 1984. After two solid seasons of 60-plus games for the Padres, DeLeon managed just 32 games in 1984 and an ERA of 5.48. He didn't make it onto the Padres' postseason roster.

My observation on the front: Love those sky blue backdrops.

More opinion from me: With the Padres' letters obscured on DeLeon's uniform, he looks like he's just wearing a loud shirt.

Something you might know: DeLeon finished fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1982 as he saved 15 games for San Diego. He split save opportunities with Gary Lucas in 1982 and 1983.

Something you might not know: Luis is one of four brothers named Luis (his father is named Luis, too). DeLeon was called "Mambo" to distinguish him from his brothers.

My observation on the back: Brother Luis played in the Boston and Cleveland organizations. Desiderio played in the Expos organization.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.

#660 - Tony Gwynn

What a card: Tony Gwynn was coming off his first full major league season when this card was issued. The '84 season was a good one. Gwynn led the league with a .351 average and the Padres made the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

My observation on the front: This is one of my favorite Gwynn cards. It may not be the most flattering, but it is definitely distinctive. There can't be a lot of up-close candids of players wearing sunglasses.

More opinion from me: If you stare at the photo a long time, Gwynn looks like a creature from outer space. Or maybe that's just me.

Something you might know: Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, Gwynn has won more batting titles (eight) than everyone except Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner.

Something you might not know: When Gwynn attended San Diego State, he would go to Padres games and thought the team's uniforms were "the ugliest ... I've ever seen in my life."

My observation on the back: The first player to 300-300, of course, was Willie Mays. Bonds' son, Barry, also joined the list, as have Andre Dawson, Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, Reggie Sanders and Steve Finley.

The blog want to speak now: The News category is updated.

#635 - Terry Kennedy

What a card: This is Terry Kennedy's second card in this set. He appeared in the Father-Son subset earlier.

My observation on the front: Dick Williams sighting in the dugout!

More opinion from me: I'm saying that's a foul ball.

Something you might know: Kennedy drove in two runs with a double in his first World Series at-bat in Game 1 of the 1984 World Series.

Something you might not know: Kennedy was Rickey Henderson's last manager on a pro team. Kennedy managed the inaugural season of the San Diego Surf Dawgs, an independent league team, in 2005. Interestingly, Kennedy was the catcher Henderson hounded during the 1989 World Series.

My observation on the back: Oh, come on! You devoted an entire card to the fact that Bob is Terry's father already!

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated. I'm going to spoil the surprise though by saying Nov. 18, 1985 has to be the most interesting day I've come across since writing this blog. A list of what happened on that date:

-- President Reagan and Russia's Mikhail Gorbachev begin their first summit meeting
-- Willie McGee wins the NL MVP award
-- Howard Stern begins a 20-year run at WXRK in New York
-- Olympic track gold medalist Allyson Felix is born
-- Jesus and Mary Chain's "Psychocandy" is released
-- Lawrence Taylor breaks Redskins QB's Joe Theismann in a graphic injury on Monday Night Football
-- Comic strip Calvin & Hobbes debuts in newspapers
-- For the first time, Snuffleupagus is visible to all characters on Sesame Street, not just Big Bird

Maybe that's only fascinating to me, but that's one hell of a day.

#608 - Craig Lefferts

What a card: Craig Lefferts was coming off his first season with the Padres when this card was issued. After being acquired from the Cubs in a three-team deal with the Expos, Lefferts tied Rich Gossage for most appearances on the Padres (62) in 1984.

My observation on the front: Totally unrelated, but I haven't had a butterscotch sundae in a long time.

More opinion from me: Lefferts played most of his career with teams that I don't like (Padres, Giants). I don't have any bad memories of him though.

Something you might know: Lefferts was an effective and well-used reliever from 1983-91, who appeared in the playoffs and World Series for the Padres and Giants in 1984, 1987 and 1989. His postseason ERA is 1.15 in 14 games.

Something you might not know: We recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of Lefferts' walk-off home run against the Giants on April 25, 1986. The Padres won 9-8 on Lefferts' homer in the 12th inning. He used Tony Gwynn's bat. No pitcher has hit a walk-off home run since.

My observation on the back: Hey, a little French and it isn't even an O-Pee-Chee card!

The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated.

#583 - Bobby Brown

What a card: Bobby Brown was entering his final season when this card was issued. He played in the most games in 1984 since his breakout season with the Yankees in 1980.

My observation on the front: That glance at the camera is not something you see often on a baseball card. Interesting.

More opinion from me: When that other Bobby Brown became a famous solo singer in the late 1980s, I would proudly mention that I knew about two earlier Bobby Browns. One was this player here and the other was the American League president in the 1980s who played for the Yankees in the early 1950s.

Something you might know: Brown played just seven years but appeared in two World Series with two different teams (Yankees and Padres). He played in nine Series games, but batted a mere .063.

Something you might not know: Brown left baseball in 1986 with the hopes of starting an ice cream parlor in Atlantic City, N.J., called "Major League Dairies," with former teammate Jerry Mumphrey. The business expanded to include sale of other products but it ran into credit problems and state officials branded it untrustworthy. At last check, Brown was still in the food consulting business eight years ago.

My observation on the back: Fernando Valenzuela remains the only player to win Rookie of the Year and Cy Young honors in the same year.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated.

#558 - Carmelo Martinez

What a card: Carmelo Martinez was coming off a solid rookie season when this card was released. He played in 149 games, delivering 28 doubles and 13 home runs for the NL pennant-winning Padres.

My observation on the front: This might be the first case of someone rocking the flip shades in this set. And, no, I'm not going to look through all the previous cards to confirm that. You go look.

More opinion from me: I often get Carmelo Martinez confused with Carlos Martinez, who played at approximately the same time as Carmelo. Sadly, Carlos Martinez died 10 years ago, so I'm sorry for all the times I thought Carmelo was dead.

Something you might know: Martinez was the regular left fielder for the 1984 Padres, finishing sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He and center fielder Kevin McReynolds were nicknamed "The M&M Boys" by Padres beat writer Phil Collier, a reference to Yankees outfielders Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

Something you might not know: Martinez helped spark a minor-league brawl that led to one of his pitchers being jailed in 2008. Martinez was serving as acting manager for the Peoria Chiefs while manager Ryne Sandberg attended Baseball Hall of Fame induction weekend. Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo hit two Dayton batters in the first inning and nearly hit a third. That led to Martinez shoving Dayton manager Donnie Scott and the benches emptying. Castillo attempted to throw a ball at a Dayton player in the dugout but instead hit a fan in the stands in the head. Castillo was charged with felonious assault and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

My observation on the back: The Giants beat the Dodgers 8-0 in that first West Coast game. Eeesh.

The blog wants to speak now: The music category is updated.

#530 - Dave Dravecky

What a card: After a season in which he was used exclusively as a starter, Dave Dravecky returned to his role as a periodic starter and sometimes closer for the Padres in 1984. He saved eight games and helped San Diego to the World Series.

My observation on the front: There's a look at what the AL and NL all-stars are going to have to wear for jerseys during the home run derby at the All-Star Game this year. I don't mind Padres wearing that weirdness but hate that other teams will wear it.

More opinion from me: Dravecky kind of freaked me out when he broke his arm pitching in Montreal in 1989. I was having issues with my arm at the time (even going so far to think it might be cancer) and that really alarmed me. Fortunately there were no lasting problems.

Something you might know: Dravecky made a triumphant return from a cancer diagnosis that forced operation on his pitching arm in 1988. Although told by doctors not to pitch for a couple of years, Dravecky returned on Aug. 10, 1989 with a standout performance against the Reds. But his arm broke while delivering a pitch in his next start in Montreal. Doctors found the cancer had returned and he eventually had to have his arm and shoulder amputated.

Something you might not know: Dravecky is known as a deeply religious man and was as a player, too. The person who inspired Dravecky down that path was his minor league roommate at Double A Amarillo in 1981, a pitcher named Byron Ballard, who played seven seasons in the minors in the Yankees, Padres and Mets organizations.

My observation on the back: Thanks to ESPN, that trivia question is no longer correct.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated. Appropriately, it's about another sports figure who suffered a devastating on-field injury.

#478 - Kurt Bevacqua

What a card: Kurt Bevacqua had completed his third season for the Padres when this card was issued. He hit .200 in 59 games in 1984.

My observation on the front: I honestly have no idea why the Padres keep trying to put the color orange in their uniforms.

More opinion from me: Bevacqua was the topic of my all-time favorite Tom Lasorda putdown. Upon being informed that Bevacqua said "that fat little Italian" should be fined after Bevacqua's Padres teammate Joe Lefebvre was intentionally hit by the Dodgers' Tom Niedenfuer the night before, Lasorda said he wouldn't waste his time ordering a knockdown of Lefebvre or a player like Bevacqua who "couldn't hit water if he fell out of a fucking boat."

Something you might know: A lifetime utility player, Bevacqua made an impact in the 1984 World Series by hitting a three-run home run in Game 2 against the Tigers. It was the only game the Padres won.

Something you might not know: Bevacqua and his wife Carrie are the parents of Tawney Bevacqua, who dated singer Jason Mraz in 2009.

My observation on the back: The balls that Bevacqua caught were thrown from 24 stories up by teammate Terry Kennedy. The stunt was for charity. Kennedy offered to donate $1,000 if Bevacqua could catch a sixth ball behind his back. But Bevacqua missed.

The blog wants to speak now: The Ballgames category is updated.

#450 - Steve Garvey

What a card: Steve Garvey was coming off a terrific season -- perhaps his best for the Padres (it's either 1984 or 1985) -- when this card was released. Garvey's performance during the '84 season, and especially in the NLCS against the Cubs, helped San Diego get to its first World Series.

My observation on the front: I've already mentioned several times the "RAK" initials appearing on the Padres jerseys in memory of owner Ray Kroc. This is the best look yet at those initials.

More opinion from me: There's that trademark Garvey smile for the camera. I didn't realize it then, but in viewing old interviews and ballgames of him, it's no wonder people called him a politician. He was always aware of the camera.

Something you might know: Terrific in spotlight moments like the playoffs and the All-Star Game, Garvey played in five World Series, four with the Dodgers and one with the Padres.

Something you might not know: Garvey grounded into the most double plays among NL players in 1984 with 25. He led the league twice in the category.

My observation on the back: The school in Lindsay, Calif., is still named Steve Garvey Junior High School.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated.

#427 - Mario Ramirez

What a card: This is the middle card in a Topps trifecta of Mario Ramirez cards. He had just three, from 1984-86. Ramirez hit just .119 in 1984.

My observation on the front: Ramirez's cap is low, so you can focus on his terrific mustache.

More opinion from me: Most of the Padres cards look excellent in this set. Have I said this already?

Something you might know: Ramirez was a utility infielder who was in the lineup strictly for his defense. He never appeared in more than 55 games in his six-year major league career.

Something you might not know: Ramirez was the Padres' first Rule 5 draft pick in a decade in 1980. That same year they also made Alan Wiggins a Rule 5 pick.

My observation on the back: That's pretty cool that he could play baseball and softball in high school. You don't get to do that in the U.S. that much.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated. Please be kind, rewind.

#378 - Alan Wiggins

What a card: This is Alan Wiggins at the peak of his career. He set career highs in 1984 in virtually every category and would never match or exceed them. He also hit .364 with eight hits in five games in the World Series against the Tigers.

My observation on the front: I want to know what that sticker is on the bill of his helmet.

More opinion from me: That really is a nice-looking card, and I don't even like the Padres.

Something you might know: Wiggins had blazing speed and set San Diego's season record for stolen bases with 70 in 1984, but he was plagued by drug problems virtually from the start of his major league career. When this card came out he was suspended for cocaine use and dealt to the Orioles. He died at age 32 from complications due to AIDS, which are thought to be related to his drug dependence.

Something you might not know: Two former Dodgers -- Steve Garvey and Lee Lacy -- were the only major league players to attend Wiggins' funeral.

My observation on the back: I'm surprised Lasorda said that. He usually saved his outsized compliments for his own players.

The blog wants to speak now: The Pop Culture tab is updated.