120 - MIKE LAVALLIERE, PIRATES, C

 
The basics: The first "mask-on" catcher shot in the set since Brian Harper. But the next one is coming up very soon. Leaf was the only major set in 1993 not to show Mike LaValliere in catcher's gear.
 
Card thoughts: Those masks that I knew for so many years now seem practically prehistoric. ... Also, I didn't know, or more probably have forgotten, that the "V" in LaValliere is capitalized.



Backs are important in '93 UD: That's an interesting slide into home by the Dodgers' Lenny Harris. I bet LaValliere is doing some now-illegal plate blocking.

LaValliere would play in just one more game for the Pirates in 1993 before being released. The White Sox signed him just over a week later.

More from '93: On this date in 1993, Long Beach, California, becomes the first U.S. Little League team to repeat as champions in the Little League World Series, defeating Panama 3-2. A key player on that team was future major leaguer Sean Burroughs, who died this past spring.

Comments

  1. Fantastic looking card. Loved seeing Grote's gear on Bo's blog, but I personally like this card even more.

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  2. It's been so long since I've seen a current game that I can't even remember what modern catching gear looks like.

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