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Cardboard appreciation: quarterfinal #1

(The pain-in-the-ass two weeks of work that was has finally passed. I am now back on a schedule that actually includes - gasp - days off. And there is a vacation around the corner. All of this is greatly appreciated. So how about some Cardboard Appreciation?):

A J.R. Richard card with 3-D powers is an unbeatable combination. How did any of his competitors have a chance?

Here are the vote totals in the vote-off for the last finalist spot:

1. J.R. Richard, 1980 Kellogg's, 18 votes
2. Hideo Nomo, 1996 Upper Deck V.J. Lovero insert, 7 votes
3. Barry Larkin, 1988 Topps, 4 votes
4. Cecil Fielder, 2009 O-Pee-Chee, 2 votes
5. Benny Distefano, 1985 Topps, 1 vote
6. John Pawlowski, 1988 Donruss, 1 vote
7. Andre Ethier, 2009 O-Pee-Chee black border, 0 votes

So, J.R. Richard rounds out the list of 10 finalists, which is on the sidebar.

And that means it's time to start the quarterfinal round. Each week I will pair up two of the finalists and feature a poll so everyone can vote on which one they like the best.

To start with, I randomized the list of finalists just to make things a little interesting. And I'm going to reveal the first two cards you're voting on right now (please contain yourself).

Here is the first card:

The 1981 Topps Kent Tekulve card. This card has too much going for it. There's Tekulve, of course. The golden Pirates uniform. The Mets guy hanging out in the background. The bright 1981 design. It's a classic.

Let's see who Tekulve will be battling:

Yes, it's Mr. Richard! Well, he certainly has the momentum on his side. Will his 3-D skills carry him past Tekulve?

That's up to you. Poll's up on the sidebar. Get going.

Comments

That was a tough one. Kent obviously piched prior to the steroid era. I almost can't believe he can stand up on those legs much less generate enough power to pitch in the majors. The yellow is overpowering to the point that hitters must have been blinded on a bright sunny day. All that said, I voted for JR again. He looks like he could be a candidate for your "Badass" club. I can hear him now...."I wish I was pitching in 2009 'cause I'd bean Mark Texeira right now!". Isn't it terrible when we (ok, I) try to live out my life through others.
Doc said…
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN198006081.shtml

Going to have to go with Tekulve because of the in game action.

Ron Hodges is on second. Bottom of the 8th inning of the first game of a double header that Tekulve pitched in both!
Matt Runyon said…
Good list of quarterfinalists. Mostly Topps, nothing after 1982. I voted for Mr. Richard in this round -- I really liked those Kellogg's cards.
Anonymous said…
I wanted to vote for Kent Tekulve because of Ron Hodges' cameo appearance, but you just can't beat the awesomeness of the Kellogg's 3-D effect combined with the rainbow Astros jersey. :)
night owl said…
Just one post-1982 card in the list of quarterfinalists, Matt.

Doc: We established it was Hodges on the original Tekulve post. I should have mentioned that here to save you some work!
In 1981, the Orioles had lost their last three WS appearances, one to Tekulve and the Pirates, one to an earlier rendition of the Pirates, and the furthest in the background to the Mets. Sorry Kent, you have your ring, but not my vote!
Steve Gierman said…
I never noticed when I saw the Tekulve card before, but are the Pirates and Mets playing inside a gigantic swimming pool?

It sure looks like it!