The basics: The first-and-only Upper Deck card of Pat Howell. This is one of those cards in which the player shown had played his entire major league career already. It's a little bit of a change as the first 160 cards of this set have been filled with stars or at least veteran players.
Card thoughts: That is a prominent leg kick from Howell and card companies liked to feature it -- at least on the few cards that he had. His 1992 Fleer Update card looks very similar to this one.
Backs are important in '93 UD: Bunting in action at Wrigley Field! I wonder who the Met on deck is. ... Howell is displaying the "S" memorial patch on his sleeve in honor of departed Shea Stadium namesake William Shea. We last saw this on card 115.
The Upper Deck writer may be a little too high on Howell but he's not exaggerating on the Mets' center field issues at the time. Here is the main starting center fielder for the Mets between 1988-93:
1988: Lenny Dykstra
1989: Juan Samuel
1990: Daryl Boston
1991: Vince Coleman
1992: Howard Johnson
1993: Ryan Thompson
Howell would spend all of 1993-95 in the minors, then play in the Mexican League and in independent ball all the way through 2004.
More from '93: The TV series "Walker Texas Ranger," starring Chuck Norris, debuted on this date in 1993.
My guess on the on deck batter is Dave Magadan.
ReplyDeleteJust for fun, I searched YouTube for "Pat Howell" and Mets ... none of those highlight-film moments to be found...
ReplyDeleteWow, I don't remember this guy at all. And I thought I had every 1993 card memorized at the time.
ReplyDeleteA. Don't remember Mr. Howell... but that leg kick photo is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteB. I remember Walker Texas Ranger, but never watched it.