1988 Topps Podcast: April 2025

Friday, April 25, 2025

Ken Griffey #443

This week, a famous dad from Donora, PA...it's Ken Griffey, Sr! Griffey was a three time all star, won two World Series as part of the Big Red Machine, yet was the third best player born in Donora. The other two were Stan Musial...and Ken's son! Ken grew up in Donora, one of six kids raised by a single mom in the aftermath of a pollution disaster and the collapse of the steel industry. His dad Buddy played high school ball with Stan the Man, but left the family when Ken was just 2. Ken took that hurt and made a point to be there for his kids...all the way to the Majors.

Topics: Clean Air Act, video sleuthing, fathers and sons

Listen:

Links:

Card 443 on ⁠Beckett
SABR Bio by ⁠Charles F. Faber⁠
⁠Donora Smog Disaster⁠
Grandma's Reds Scorebook ⁠Griffey entries⁠
⁠Ken and Buddy story
Reds 1976 All-Star Game ⁠highlights
Stan and Ken and ⁠Donora, PA
Ken Griffey Jr and Jackie Robinson Day
Father-Son ⁠back to back jacks:
Griffey wins the ⁠1980 ASG MVP:
Braves at Mets, ⁠Apr. 11, 1987:

Monday, April 7, 2025

Todd Benzinger #96

This week, a fresh faced youngster nicknamed "Mercedes"...it's Todd Benzinger! Benzinger had a few middling years in the minors, but then in 1987 he was on fire to open the season and earned a call up to the Red Sox. He joined a talented young team and had a big moment in 1988 during the Morgan Magic run. After a trade to Cincinnati, he helped his childhood team win the 1990 World Series. He spent 9 years in the majors and then was a successful high school basketball coach after his MLB career.

Topics: Dayton...not Ohio, Alan Jackson wine, guys named Todd

Listen:

Links:

Card 96 on ⁠Beckett
Sabr Bio by ⁠Bill Nowlin
Catching up with ⁠⁠Benz⁠
Todd Benzinger ⁠1987 Highlight video: ⁠
Benzinger hits a ⁠big homer⁠ in 1988:
Todd catches the final out of ⁠1990 World Series:⁠
Guys named Todd by George Carlin (NSFW):
Todd gives 1B tips:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Chili Davis #15/32T

This week we spoke with the Diamond King himself, the legendary Dick Perez and director of the Diamond King documentary Marq Evans! Go find the Diamond King documentary on VOD starting on April 25, 2025!

Dick's all time favorite Diamond King is the 1995 Chili Davis, so why not talk about Chili Davis too! Chili Davis was the first Jamaican born player in the AL/NL. He moved to the US as a youngster and immediately fell in love with baseball. He was a solid switch hitting outfielder for the Giants, playing in two all star games and helping the Giants make the 1987 playoffs. He then went to the Angels before helping the Twins win the 1991 World Series. Late in his career he won 2 more rings as the Yankees DH in 1998 and 99.

Topics: Chilis/Chillis, Mullet Man, Diamond Kings, RBI Corner