Now is as good a time as any

Not that I needed reminding, but I read a New York Times story the other day about how it's been 30 years since the Dodgers won the World Series.

Orel Hershiser was interviewed for the story and he was talking about how people still come up to him on the regular to thank him for 1988. This was the magic of 1988, he said. You win the World Series once and you'll be remembered fondly for the rest of your days.

As a broadcaster for the Dodgers, Hershiser said that he wanted this year's team to experience what he does. They came so close last year, one game away, and they could have easily won the whole thing, They deserve to know what that's like.

Now that the Dodgers are in first place, I think now is as good a time as any for them to win the Series. Last year's season of domination didn't work, so how about if they get in through the side door, after a season of injuries, hitting slumps and bullpen blowups?

Granted, there's the matter of one week to play with the Rockies less than two games behind and no wild-card berth as a fall-back. L.A. has to play the Diamondbacks -- who folded like a napkin against Colorado -- and the Giants to close out the season. So no guarantees against two spiteful teams.

However, I prefer to dwell in the positive today. And to help me do that, I have some 1989 Topps World Series cards to show.

Yes, you heard me, 1989 Topps World Series cards.

They did too make them.

Well, someone made them anyway.

That someone was Jeremy of Topps Cards That Never Were.

One of the great injustices of 1980s cardboard was the lack of Topps World Series cards, none more appalling than the failure to recognize the 1988 Dodgers (and if I'm being fair, the 1986 Mets). Fleer did the honors, thank goodness, but I've always wondered what a 1989 Topps set of World Series cards would look like.

Jeremy came through. If that design looks familiar, it's based on the 1989 Topps all-stars subset design.

Jeremy even added a 1988 NLCS set.

I still get nervous when I think about that series.

Also, there are backs for all of the cards with the familiar red theme:

So this provides some closure for Topps dropping the ball all those years ago.

Jeremy also sent a bunch of Dodgers cards. I haven't had time to go through to figure exactly what I need (I'm just back from an out-of-town trip). But the prospects are good. I don't recognize a lot of these cards.

A card from 1992 Bowman is a good sign, as is any Topps Opening Day cards from the '90s.

More promising stuff. Early Aughts Chrome. Inserts.

I got excited about the Lo Duca 40man card because I always need 40man cards, and then I saw it was a numbered parallel, which I suppose is cool, but only if I already have the Lo Duca base card!!

I know for a fact I need the Distinguished Service Duke Snider card. Snider signed my version of that card a number of years ago and then I forgot all about needing a regular unsigned version.

Parallels aplenty. I have some checklist checking ahead. (UPDATE: Someone found my want lists!!!)


The final week of the season could be a nerve-racking one for me and the Dodgers. But at least I have Jeremy's '89 Topps World Series set to remind me of the best times.

There's still that matter of a Topps 1982 World Series set recalling the '81 World Champion Dodgers. If any card-makers are listening.