The basics: Tony Phillips makes his debut in 1993 Upper Deck. It's his only card in the set. This is the first horizontal card since Tony Peña at card No. 185.
Card thoughts: Phillips is snagging a fly ball/liner on the run at the wall in the sunshine, judging by his shades. I can always spot old Tiger Stadium in a card photo, so that's nice.
Note that this is an outfield play but Phillips' listed position is infield, "IF". I don't know if this is commentary by Upper Deck on Phillips' reputation for playing just about any position, which he did in 1992. But other card sets in 1993 (Fleer, Ultra) listed Phillips as "IF/OF". And then there is Donruss who listed him as "2B/3B".
Backs are important in '93 UD: I don't know exactly what's happening in the photo. Phillips' uniform appears to indicate this is a spring training game. He looks like he's questioning an umpire's call, but I need more context.
Phillips led the league in runs scored in 1992 and he set a personal high for games played that year with 159. He'd lead the league in walks in 1993. He died way to young in 2016.
More from '93: Veteran defensive end Jonathan Bullard, who has started for the Bears, Vikings, Cardinals, Falcons, Seahawks and currently Saints, was born on this date in 1993.
It looks like he's singing into the bat, perhaps serenading a ball girl or the mascot.
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