Junk Card Boggs
@junkcardboggs.bsky.social
Mostly baseball cards of the 80s and 90s, in precisely 300 characters. Sorry, I am not Wade Boggs.
Blink and you could mistletoe the MLB career of Steve Christmas. The jolly southerner was more ho-ho-home in the colder climes of the north. His advent-ure began in CIN, but as the yuletides changed he dashed to CHW and CHC.
80 TCMA saw Christmas catching on with the youth of minor league baseball.
80 TCMA saw Christmas catching on with the youth of minor league baseball.
December 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Blink and you could mistletoe the MLB career of Steve Christmas. The jolly southerner was more ho-ho-home in the colder climes of the north. His advent-ure began in CIN, but as the yuletides changed he dashed to CHW and CHC.
80 TCMA saw Christmas catching on with the youth of minor league baseball.
80 TCMA saw Christmas catching on with the youth of minor league baseball.
A 3x All Star with CIN, Ken Griffey won two World Series and hit .300 on every team he played. The OF was drafted in June 1969, five months before his first child was born with some big shoes to fill.
86 Topps Traded puts the powder blue ATL uniform on the elder Griffey after being traded from NYY.
86 Topps Traded puts the powder blue ATL uniform on the elder Griffey after being traded from NYY.
December 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
A 3x All Star with CIN, Ken Griffey won two World Series and hit .300 on every team he played. The OF was drafted in June 1969, five months before his first child was born with some big shoes to fill.
86 Topps Traded puts the powder blue ATL uniform on the elder Griffey after being traded from NYY.
86 Topps Traded puts the powder blue ATL uniform on the elder Griffey after being traded from NYY.
Just because he was in college at the time does not mean Jim Gantner isn’t famous hijacker D.B. Cooper. Nearly every photo of the 17-year MIL 2B/3B has him in Cooper-esque glasses.
88 Fleer is no exception, as Gantner brings shades, stache, and a classic brew crew “glove” hat to the striped design.
88 Fleer is no exception, as Gantner brings shades, stache, and a classic brew crew “glove” hat to the striped design.
December 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Just because he was in college at the time does not mean Jim Gantner isn’t famous hijacker D.B. Cooper. Nearly every photo of the 17-year MIL 2B/3B has him in Cooper-esque glasses.
88 Fleer is no exception, as Gantner brings shades, stache, and a classic brew crew “glove” hat to the striped design.
88 Fleer is no exception, as Gantner brings shades, stache, and a classic brew crew “glove” hat to the striped design.
The 12th round pick Karl Best never lived up to his name. Even when he came out of the SEA pen with a 1.95 ERA in 1985, he was bested (or Mirabellaed?) by lefty Paul Mirabella. After a year in the minors, Best was better than Steve Carlton in MIN.
87 Donruss spears us with two old school M’s logos.
87 Donruss spears us with two old school M’s logos.
December 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The 12th round pick Karl Best never lived up to his name. Even when he came out of the SEA pen with a 1.95 ERA in 1985, he was bested (or Mirabellaed?) by lefty Paul Mirabella. After a year in the minors, Best was better than Steve Carlton in MIN.
87 Donruss spears us with two old school M’s logos.
87 Donruss spears us with two old school M’s logos.
Drafted out of Southern California, Jason Giambi packed his bags for Southern Oregon. A tour of minor league towns propelled him to OAK.
98 Topps, with shiny gold border and foil, fully joins the modern card era. Giambi and his “offensive mayhem” are 1B-OF, but the photo shows why he lost the dash.
98 Topps, with shiny gold border and foil, fully joins the modern card era. Giambi and his “offensive mayhem” are 1B-OF, but the photo shows why he lost the dash.
December 21, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Drafted out of Southern California, Jason Giambi packed his bags for Southern Oregon. A tour of minor league towns propelled him to OAK.
98 Topps, with shiny gold border and foil, fully joins the modern card era. Giambi and his “offensive mayhem” are 1B-OF, but the photo shows why he lost the dash.
98 Topps, with shiny gold border and foil, fully joins the modern card era. Giambi and his “offensive mayhem” are 1B-OF, but the photo shows why he lost the dash.
As a 21-year-old rookie, Jose Canseco hit 33 HR and 117 RBIs, nearly identical to Reggie Jackson’s 1973 MVP numbers.
93 Upper Deck devotes a 20-card set to Reggie Jackson’s clutch performers. The Hall of Fame inductee briefs us on his fellow Athletics’ career, while both wear different team’s hats.
93 Upper Deck devotes a 20-card set to Reggie Jackson’s clutch performers. The Hall of Fame inductee briefs us on his fellow Athletics’ career, while both wear different team’s hats.
December 20, 2025 at 11:57 PM
As a 21-year-old rookie, Jose Canseco hit 33 HR and 117 RBIs, nearly identical to Reggie Jackson’s 1973 MVP numbers.
93 Upper Deck devotes a 20-card set to Reggie Jackson’s clutch performers. The Hall of Fame inductee briefs us on his fellow Athletics’ career, while both wear different team’s hats.
93 Upper Deck devotes a 20-card set to Reggie Jackson’s clutch performers. The Hall of Fame inductee briefs us on his fellow Athletics’ career, while both wear different team’s hats.
A first pick overall by PHI, Mark Davis only pitched part of two seasons there. It was in SDP where he found his groove, winning the 1989 Cy Young as a closer.
90 Bazooka by Topps put Davis in its small 22-card Shining Star set. After KCR signed Davis in free agency, he quickly lost his closer job.
90 Bazooka by Topps put Davis in its small 22-card Shining Star set. After KCR signed Davis in free agency, he quickly lost his closer job.
December 19, 2025 at 11:24 PM
A first pick overall by PHI, Mark Davis only pitched part of two seasons there. It was in SDP where he found his groove, winning the 1989 Cy Young as a closer.
90 Bazooka by Topps put Davis in its small 22-card Shining Star set. After KCR signed Davis in free agency, he quickly lost his closer job.
90 Bazooka by Topps put Davis in its small 22-card Shining Star set. After KCR signed Davis in free agency, he quickly lost his closer job.
A World Series champ with NYM in his second season, Roger McDowell was too early to PHI (1989) and late to LAD (1991). Though he never won a Gold Glove, the pitcher did spend three games in OF in mid-game lefty/righty platoons.
89 Score pushes for McDowell fielding, showing an athletic reach photo.
89 Score pushes for McDowell fielding, showing an athletic reach photo.
December 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
A World Series champ with NYM in his second season, Roger McDowell was too early to PHI (1989) and late to LAD (1991). Though he never won a Gold Glove, the pitcher did spend three games in OF in mid-game lefty/righty platoons.
89 Score pushes for McDowell fielding, showing an athletic reach photo.
89 Score pushes for McDowell fielding, showing an athletic reach photo.
“It’s incredibly hard,” Ron Washington said in 2011’s Moneyball. He was talking about 1B, a position the utility IF only played for one inning in his career.
89 Donruss stares down Washington in CLE, the second of three (BAL and HOU) one-year stops after MIN, before his roles as manager and coach.
89 Donruss stares down Washington in CLE, the second of three (BAL and HOU) one-year stops after MIN, before his roles as manager and coach.
December 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
“It’s incredibly hard,” Ron Washington said in 2011’s Moneyball. He was talking about 1B, a position the utility IF only played for one inning in his career.
89 Donruss stares down Washington in CLE, the second of three (BAL and HOU) one-year stops after MIN, before his roles as manager and coach.
89 Donruss stares down Washington in CLE, the second of three (BAL and HOU) one-year stops after MIN, before his roles as manager and coach.
When rating on a 10-point scale, 9.5 is as high as Bob Wickman can go. Missing the tip of his right index finger, the closer credits that accident for the slider that helped earn 267 career saves.
93 Fleer Ultra adds a reflective “rookie” ribbon. A pensive Wickman’s glove shrouds his partial digit.
93 Fleer Ultra adds a reflective “rookie” ribbon. A pensive Wickman’s glove shrouds his partial digit.
December 16, 2025 at 10:34 PM
When rating on a 10-point scale, 9.5 is as high as Bob Wickman can go. Missing the tip of his right index finger, the closer credits that accident for the slider that helped earn 267 career saves.
93 Fleer Ultra adds a reflective “rookie” ribbon. A pensive Wickman’s glove shrouds his partial digit.
93 Fleer Ultra adds a reflective “rookie” ribbon. A pensive Wickman’s glove shrouds his partial digit.
Two years after a World Series win, BAL put in young John Habyan, who ended 1985 at a 0.00 ERA. He’d wait almost another year for his first start and earned run.
86 Donruss, a style harnessed by the personal computer, awards Habyan a Rated Rookie. He’d play 11 years with NYY, STL, and three others.
86 Donruss, a style harnessed by the personal computer, awards Habyan a Rated Rookie. He’d play 11 years with NYY, STL, and three others.
December 15, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Two years after a World Series win, BAL put in young John Habyan, who ended 1985 at a 0.00 ERA. He’d wait almost another year for his first start and earned run.
86 Donruss, a style harnessed by the personal computer, awards Habyan a Rated Rookie. He’d play 11 years with NYY, STL, and three others.
86 Donruss, a style harnessed by the personal computer, awards Habyan a Rated Rookie. He’d play 11 years with NYY, STL, and three others.
Though moose don’t inhabit Maryland, Moose Haas did. He migrated to MIL where the starter made the Wall of Fame. Named Bryan, his chunky baby nickname stuck. In 1986, Moose hoofed to OAK, but shoulder injuries ended his career.
88 Topps aptly shows Haas on the bench. The back has his entire career.
88 Topps aptly shows Haas on the bench. The back has his entire career.
December 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Though moose don’t inhabit Maryland, Moose Haas did. He migrated to MIL where the starter made the Wall of Fame. Named Bryan, his chunky baby nickname stuck. In 1986, Moose hoofed to OAK, but shoulder injuries ended his career.
88 Topps aptly shows Haas on the bench. The back has his entire career.
88 Topps aptly shows Haas on the bench. The back has his entire career.
As a batter, can you really take seriously the scowl from the mound on the face of a guy named John Smiley? He won 20 games in PIT and was an All Star there and in CIN.
90 Donruss honored Smiley with a Diamond King. Teammate and Cy Young winner Doug Drabek was the bigger story. Still Smiley smiles.
90 Donruss honored Smiley with a Diamond King. Teammate and Cy Young winner Doug Drabek was the bigger story. Still Smiley smiles.
December 13, 2025 at 7:15 PM
As a batter, can you really take seriously the scowl from the mound on the face of a guy named John Smiley? He won 20 games in PIT and was an All Star there and in CIN.
90 Donruss honored Smiley with a Diamond King. Teammate and Cy Young winner Doug Drabek was the bigger story. Still Smiley smiles.
90 Donruss honored Smiley with a Diamond King. Teammate and Cy Young winner Doug Drabek was the bigger story. Still Smiley smiles.
As a 20 year-old rookie, Ed Delahanty struggled, batting .228 in 74 games. Big Ed went on to win multiple batting titles and hit .346 over his 16-year career.
86 Fleer came with team stickers on 22 “famous feats,” including Delahanty’s crown. Though he hit .400 three times, only one led the league.
86 Fleer came with team stickers on 22 “famous feats,” including Delahanty’s crown. Though he hit .400 three times, only one led the league.
December 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
As a 20 year-old rookie, Ed Delahanty struggled, batting .228 in 74 games. Big Ed went on to win multiple batting titles and hit .346 over his 16-year career.
86 Fleer came with team stickers on 22 “famous feats,” including Delahanty’s crown. Though he hit .400 three times, only one led the league.
86 Fleer came with team stickers on 22 “famous feats,” including Delahanty’s crown. Though he hit .400 three times, only one led the league.
As a 3B with DET, CHC, and CIN, Steve Boros stole about one base per season. As a minor league manager, his team set a steals record. His computer data approach as an MLB manager was lambasted.
86 Topps welcomes Boros to his final managerial job in its Traded set, his lifelong baseball tan showing.
86 Topps welcomes Boros to his final managerial job in its Traded set, his lifelong baseball tan showing.
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
As a 3B with DET, CHC, and CIN, Steve Boros stole about one base per season. As a minor league manager, his team set a steals record. His computer data approach as an MLB manager was lambasted.
86 Topps welcomes Boros to his final managerial job in its Traded set, his lifelong baseball tan showing.
86 Topps welcomes Boros to his final managerial job in its Traded set, his lifelong baseball tan showing.
At 33, Ray Knight experienced a career resurgence in the NYM 1986 pennant run. In game 6 of the Series, Knight could have been the final out. Instead, he hustled the winning run. His .391 average made him series MVP.
88 Donruss has moved on. Knight is in BAL and on his way to his final year in DET.
88 Donruss has moved on. Knight is in BAL and on his way to his final year in DET.
December 10, 2025 at 10:28 PM
At 33, Ray Knight experienced a career resurgence in the NYM 1986 pennant run. In game 6 of the Series, Knight could have been the final out. Instead, he hustled the winning run. His .391 average made him series MVP.
88 Donruss has moved on. Knight is in BAL and on his way to his final year in DET.
88 Donruss has moved on. Knight is in BAL and on his way to his final year in DET.
The last of four southpaws taken in the top five picks of 1976, Bob Owchinko debuted later that season. His first couple starts put the Ow in Owchinko, then he settled into the SDP rotation.
82 Fleer joins a focused Owchinko in the OAK bullpen, too late for 70s dynasty and before their 80s success.
82 Fleer joins a focused Owchinko in the OAK bullpen, too late for 70s dynasty and before their 80s success.
December 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The last of four southpaws taken in the top five picks of 1976, Bob Owchinko debuted later that season. His first couple starts put the Ow in Owchinko, then he settled into the SDP rotation.
82 Fleer joins a focused Owchinko in the OAK bullpen, too late for 70s dynasty and before their 80s success.
82 Fleer joins a focused Owchinko in the OAK bullpen, too late for 70s dynasty and before their 80s success.
Make a list of certain upcoming stars at the end of the 80s and Eric Davis better be included. The dude *averaged* a 30/30 season (and was three homers from 40/40 a year before Canseco).
89 Upper Deck took what people hated (checklists) and loved (Diamond Kings), then merged them in this epic card.
89 Upper Deck took what people hated (checklists) and loved (Diamond Kings), then merged them in this epic card.
December 8, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Make a list of certain upcoming stars at the end of the 80s and Eric Davis better be included. The dude *averaged* a 30/30 season (and was three homers from 40/40 a year before Canseco).
89 Upper Deck took what people hated (checklists) and loved (Diamond Kings), then merged them in this epic card.
89 Upper Deck took what people hated (checklists) and loved (Diamond Kings), then merged them in this epic card.
A two-time All Star and Gold Glove catcher, Jody Davis became a starter his rookie season, and kept that role for six more CHC opening days. His 20 HR per year were handy from the bottom of the order.
87 Topps must not have had a reshoot day. Davis seems dazed from a catch that nearly hit his face.
87 Topps must not have had a reshoot day. Davis seems dazed from a catch that nearly hit his face.
December 7, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A two-time All Star and Gold Glove catcher, Jody Davis became a starter his rookie season, and kept that role for six more CHC opening days. His 20 HR per year were handy from the bottom of the order.
87 Topps must not have had a reshoot day. Davis seems dazed from a catch that nearly hit his face.
87 Topps must not have had a reshoot day. Davis seems dazed from a catch that nearly hit his face.
Part of the 1993 PHI squad that went to the World Series, Kim Batiste was a backup infielder with a big role in the NLCS. In the 9th inning of game 1, Kim (given name: Kimothy) made an error that lost the lead. In the 10th, his double won the game.
91 Bowman only shows Batiste’s minor league stats.
91 Bowman only shows Batiste’s minor league stats.
December 6, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Part of the 1993 PHI squad that went to the World Series, Kim Batiste was a backup infielder with a big role in the NLCS. In the 9th inning of game 1, Kim (given name: Kimothy) made an error that lost the lead. In the 10th, his double won the game.
91 Bowman only shows Batiste’s minor league stats.
91 Bowman only shows Batiste’s minor league stats.
Drafted by NYM with 1980’s top pick, Darryl Strawberry quickly went phenom status. The Rookie of the Year hit 26 HR, and at least that many for nearly a decade (with a 30/30 season).
89 Cap’n Crunch by Topps presents a Dodger-inspired blue hat minus Mets logo. If only his last name was Crunchberry.
89 Cap’n Crunch by Topps presents a Dodger-inspired blue hat minus Mets logo. If only his last name was Crunchberry.
December 6, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Drafted by NYM with 1980’s top pick, Darryl Strawberry quickly went phenom status. The Rookie of the Year hit 26 HR, and at least that many for nearly a decade (with a 30/30 season).
89 Cap’n Crunch by Topps presents a Dodger-inspired blue hat minus Mets logo. If only his last name was Crunchberry.
89 Cap’n Crunch by Topps presents a Dodger-inspired blue hat minus Mets logo. If only his last name was Crunchberry.
One of only three players to have a 50 SB and 50 HR season, Brady Anderson was speedy as a first-time All Star with BAL. The power grew in with his sideburns.
90 Score predates either milestone, but suggests Anderson can make haste on the basepaths. The front shows hustle, the back lauds his glove.
90 Score predates either milestone, but suggests Anderson can make haste on the basepaths. The front shows hustle, the back lauds his glove.
December 4, 2025 at 8:43 PM
One of only three players to have a 50 SB and 50 HR season, Brady Anderson was speedy as a first-time All Star with BAL. The power grew in with his sideburns.
90 Score predates either milestone, but suggests Anderson can make haste on the basepaths. The front shows hustle, the back lauds his glove.
90 Score predates either milestone, but suggests Anderson can make haste on the basepaths. The front shows hustle, the back lauds his glove.
A tall, hard-throwing 1st round pitcher, Todd Van Poppel was a pre-Moneyball OAK selection. His MLB play never met the hype.
95 Fleer pops with overlapped photos, then makes room for bio data and gold foil galore on the front. There’s a lot happening on the back, too, including disappointing stats.
95 Fleer pops with overlapped photos, then makes room for bio data and gold foil galore on the front. There’s a lot happening on the back, too, including disappointing stats.
December 3, 2025 at 7:55 PM
A tall, hard-throwing 1st round pitcher, Todd Van Poppel was a pre-Moneyball OAK selection. His MLB play never met the hype.
95 Fleer pops with overlapped photos, then makes room for bio data and gold foil galore on the front. There’s a lot happening on the back, too, including disappointing stats.
95 Fleer pops with overlapped photos, then makes room for bio data and gold foil galore on the front. There’s a lot happening on the back, too, including disappointing stats.
A 10th inning Hail Mary saw Tom Brookens grab his rosary… and the tools of ignorance. The 1st rounder and 3B became DET’s third catcher of the game. The Tigers won in 15, which meant five innings behind the plate.
88 Donruss highlights many less-notable moments on back of Brookens’ stare-down card.
88 Donruss highlights many less-notable moments on back of Brookens’ stare-down card.
December 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A 10th inning Hail Mary saw Tom Brookens grab his rosary… and the tools of ignorance. The 1st rounder and 3B became DET’s third catcher of the game. The Tigers won in 15, which meant five innings behind the plate.
88 Donruss highlights many less-notable moments on back of Brookens’ stare-down card.
88 Donruss highlights many less-notable moments on back of Brookens’ stare-down card.
No nicknames needed when your name is Al Nipper. The 80s BOS starter had settled into the middle of the rotation when he was shipped to CHC in the off-season for Hall of Famer Lee Smith.
89 Topps brings its pennant design with Cubs colors. The chaw-cheeked Nipper prepares to turn on the high beams.
89 Topps brings its pennant design with Cubs colors. The chaw-cheeked Nipper prepares to turn on the high beams.
December 1, 2025 at 9:09 PM
No nicknames needed when your name is Al Nipper. The 80s BOS starter had settled into the middle of the rotation when he was shipped to CHC in the off-season for Hall of Famer Lee Smith.
89 Topps brings its pennant design with Cubs colors. The chaw-cheeked Nipper prepares to turn on the high beams.
89 Topps brings its pennant design with Cubs colors. The chaw-cheeked Nipper prepares to turn on the high beams.