From the Favorites Box: Kevin Mitchell, 1987 Topps #653

A series where I post some thoughts about favorite cards. Previous cards in the series are available here. 

 

 

 

There's rookie Kevin Mitchell on a sunny day at Shea Stadium, emerging from his home-plate slide in a cloud of dirt and dust. His facial expression shows childlike exuberance. In all the excitement and commotion, the ball may have even gotten past Expos catcher Mike Fitzgerald. 

 

As for the home crowd in the background? They’re all on their feet. On top of that, you have a great view of those classic 1980s Mets uniforms. And if this photo was taken the previous year, 1986, then it's a photo from their World Series championship season.

 

Now that's a baseball card.

 

For more on the photo itself, it was likely taken on June 25, 1986, when the Mets hosted the Expos.

 

Here's the play-by-play breakdown that led to Mitchell's enthusiastic slide:

 

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Darryl Strawberry doubled to left field off Expos pitcher Andy McGaffigan. Then George Foster grounded out, moving Strawberry to third. Kevin Mitchell stepped up to the plate and delivered another double, scoring Strawberry to put the Mets on the board and setting the score at 2–1 Expos. Then, on a Ray Knight single, Mitchell scored from second to tie the game, sliding home with panache as you see on the card above. Knight advanced to second on the throw home. Pitcher Sid Fernandez would then drive Knight home to make it 3–2, and the Mets would tack on a fourth run that inning. They'd end up winning the game by a score of 5–2. Lots of fun for the fans at Shea.

Mitchell would help the Mets win their 1986 World Series championship too, and at season's end finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting behind Todd Worrell and Robby Thompson. (Will Clark finished 5th, Barry Bonds 6th.)

 

However, that winter he would be traded to San Diego, and then soon after to San Francisco, where he'd really shine. In 1989 he had a year for the ages, taking home the NL MVP award ahead of Will Clark, Pedro Guerrero, and Ryne Sandberg. He'd also win the Silver Slugger award and take part in the All-Star game.

 

Here's his 1989 stat line (bold = career best): 

 

154 GP, 543 AB, 100 R, 158 H, 34 2B, 6 3B, 47 HR (led both leagues), 125 RBI (led both leagues), .291 AVG,.388 OBP, .635 SLG (led both leagues), 32 intentional walks (led both leagues)

Oh, and there was also this play:

 

What a season. 

 

Unfortunately, knee and wrist injuries really hampered Mitchell from 1991 onward. He'd bounce around from Seattle to Cincinnati to Boston to Oakland, never playing more than 100 games a season for any of those teams. He retired in 1998 at the age of 36.

But for the youthful spirit of baseball—sliding across home plate, scoring a run, getting your uniform dirty, and the exuberance that it all brings—1987 Topps #653 has a spot in my box of favorite cards.