A series where I post some thoughts about favorite cards. Previous cards in the series are available here.
There's so much 1980s goodness on this Rick Schu card, I don't even know where to start.
You've got the powder blue uniforms. The maroon three-quarter sleeves. The flip-down shades under the brim of his cap. The mustache. The I-web glove with "SCHU" written in black marker along the thumb. The batting glove for some extra padding. The stirrup socks. And then you've got the dirt-stained pants and ripped knee.
Rick Schu was having himself a game. Just look at that posture. Despite the wear and tear, he's ready for the next pitch to be hit right at him.
And I can only guess that the rip in the knee was caused by another '80s staple:
Astroturf.
Look at the background of the card one more time. It's hard to tell for sure if that really is turf behind the ankles of Mr. Schu, but based on the green wall with yellow top line, and the lighter green backdrop behind him, it might be Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Or maybe Three Rivers stadium in Pittsburgh. (Bo from Baseball Cards Come to Life! might have a better idea. He seems to be quite the stadium expert.) Regardless, if either of those stadiums is the correct answer, we're talking about turf.
And that stuff would burn you up if you slid on it. But I know I can't be the only '80s kid out there who wanted
to play on a turf field so badly anyway, even if you came home with a ripped knee in your new baseball pants and would feel the wrath of mom as a result.
Watching teams like the Phillies, Cardinals, Royals, Pirates, Expos, or Astros was too cool. You'd see fleet-footed players like Vince Coleman, Willie McGee, or Andy Van Slyke slapping grounders through the hole, and then leading off first base—trail foot in the dirt, front foot on the turf—before trying to swipe second. Or other guys like Tim Raines and Willie Wilson smacking doubles into the gap and hustling around the bases, trying for an inside-the-park home run. Then on the defensive side, you had guys like Dave Concepcion and Ozzie Smith doing the intentional bounce-throw from deep shortstop over to first base. It was all so fun to watch.
And that brings us back to the hard-working, ever-ready Rick Schu.
He put up workmanlike numbers over a 9-year career, finishing up with 386 hits in 580 career games. His best season was 1985 in Philly, where he put up career highs in games (112), at-bats (416), hits (105), doubles (21), triples (4), and walks (38) with a .252/.318/.373 slash line. At third base that season, he finished with 86 putouts, 191 assists, 19 double plays, and a .933 fielding percentage. He also finished second in the NL with 20 errors committed. Ouch.
But that image on his baseball card up there reveals that it wasn't for a lack of effort.
And for showing us you've always got to be ready out
there, especially on those awesome turf fields of a time gone by, 1987 Topps #209 has a spot in my box of favorite cards.
