Monday, April 30, 2018

1990 Topps Minis #12: Bobby Thigpen

Resuming our series of detailing the entire 1990 Topps Mini League Leaders set, today we have Chicago (AL) closer Bobby Thigpen.
#12, Bobby Thigpen.
Thigpen was a premier closer of the time, winning the 1990 AL Rolaids Relief Man award, leading the AL in saves with 57 and compiling a 4-6 record (the Rolaids award was based on both the number of saves and the win-loss record).  If you're familiar with the 1987 Topps set, you know that Dave Righetti set the major league saves record in 1986 with 46, so those 57 saves by Thigpen in 1990 set a new record, which stood for a while but was eclipsed in 2008 by Francisco Rodriguez of the Angels.  His last good season seems to be 1992, when he put up 22 saves with a 1-2 record.  He reportedly was having back problems after 1990.
Card back.
This set chronicles the players' successes in 1989, and in 1989, Thigpen placed second in the AL in saves with 34.  The card back also mentions, in smaller type because (I think) this kind of stat wouldn't get you into the set on its own, that he finished tied for fourth in games finished with 56.

Next, we move on to Cleveland, with card #13 Joe Carter.  Thanks for reading!
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3 comments:

  1. KinApril 30, 2018 at 5:41 PM

    I wonder how many people know that for a time, he held the single season saves record.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DMAApril 30, 2018 at 5:43 PM

      I didn't remember that, until writing this post.

      Delete
    2. Peter K SteinbergApril 30, 2018 at 5:53 PM

      Like you I knew that back then. Then forgot it. And after reading your post remember how dominant he was for a time. Great post.

      Delete

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