The basics: The first player card in the set is one of two future Hall of Famers in the Star Rookie subset checklist. Mike Piazza was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Card thoughts: This is Mike Piazza's lone appearance in the Upper Deck flagship set, which would become a rarity in future years as Piazza's star would grow quickly with being named the NL's Rookie of the Year in 1993. Piazza appears to be putting his all into that swing during a game against the Cubs in Wrigley Field. His only appearance playing time against the Cubs at Wrigley in 1992 was on Sept. 1. He went 3-for-3 in a 13-inning Dodgers victory.
Backs are important in '93 UD: The Star Rookie cards feature a whole lot of words on the back, a rarity for Upper Deck. No photo either. Stories about Piazza in 1993 were almost more about Tom Lasorda than Mike Piazza and this bio is a good example. I admit there were times during his Dodger career when I wished that Piazza remained a first baseman.
More from '93: Well, I've changed the template already. I had concerns that there weren't enough features available with the other one. I think this look will work better.
The No. 1 movie on this date in 1993 was Aladdin. "A Whole New World," that ubiquitous song from the movie, was No. 18 on the Billboard charts on its way to reaching No. 1 in March.
Not sure many more players from that checklist will be in the HOF!
ReplyDeleteThere is a (wonderful) Gary Carter to come in this set, otherwise we'd already be peaking with my favorite player of the 90s.
ReplyDelete'93 seemed to have a bunch of future stars, but maybe I'm just remembering the Tim Salmons and Mike Piazzas of the rookie crop and forgetting the Dave Nieds and Nigel Wilsons.
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