1997 Topps, Jay Bell

Card No. 259

Although Jay Bell didn't get many of the headlines, he was undoubtedly a key cog in those successful Pirates teams of the early '90s....Led the majors in sac bunts in 1990 and '91, setting the stage for many a Bonds and Bonilla RBI opportunity....That's Ricky Jordan of the Phillies getting tagged out(?) at second base....Bell's rookie card is part of the '88 Topps checklist....Was traded to Kansas City in the winter of 1996, thus Jay was no longer a Pirate by the time this card came out in '97.

*MK*

1997 Topps, Fernando Vina

Card No. 213

Second baseman Fernando Vina goes airborne to avoid the sliding Chris Hoiles in this great action shot from 1997 Topps....This is Vina's Topps rookie....For their '97 base cards, Topps gave red borders to A.L. players while the N.L. counterparts have green borders....This is back when the Brewers were an A.L. club, obviously....Fernando was originally drafted by the Mets in 1990, then traded to Milwaukee in December of '94....Slugged a grand slam off Jack McDowell, leading the Brewers to a 10-2 drubbing of the Indians, 4/18/97.

*MK*