1988 Topps, Tony Fernandez

Card No. 290

The world lost Tony Fernandez way too soon, as the former All-Star passed away in February 2020 at the age of 57....Earned five All-Star Game nods along with four Gold Gloves during his 17-year career....Was a member of the 1993 Blue Jays championship team....This is Tony's fourth regular Topps card....While Donruss and Fleer included him in their 1984 releases, curiously Tony's first Topps card didn't come until '85....Tony's 186 base hits were 7th most in the A.L. during the 1988 season.

*MK*

1988 Topps, Frank Viola

Card No. 625

The pride of East Meadow H.S. and St. John's University, Frank Viola enjoys a carefree moment between starts in this dugout snapshot from 1988 Topps....Unquestionably my favorite Topps card of Frankie V....Viola's rookie card can be found in the 1983 Topps checklist....Dominated American League batters in '88 to the tune of a 24-7 record and a 2.64 ERA en route to his first and only Cy Young Award.

*MK*