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.