1990 Topps Minis #8: Chuck Finley.

Since it's Wednesday, we're posting another card from the 1990 Topps Mini League Leaders set.  We're at #8, and it's Chuck Finley of the California Angels.

#8: Chuck Finley.

Finley had a long career, pitching in the majors from 1986 through 2002, and the majority of this time was with the Angels.  Otherwise, he was with the Indians from 2000 through mid-2002, and finished 2002 with the Cardinals before retiring.  Between 1989 and 2000, Finley made the All-Star team five times.  It looks like 1990 was his best year, with a 18-9 record, 2.40 ERA, and 177 strikeouts, as he finished 7th in the AL Cy Young balloting.  Baseball Reference rates him as being similar to Mark Langston, Mike Torrez, Tim Wakefield, Vida Blue, and Fernando Valenzuela, among others.

Chuck Finley card back.

To gain entrance into this set of league leaders, Finley finished 2nd in the AL in ERA with 2.57, and also placed third in complete games and eighth in strikeouts.  You may remember from Monday's post that teammate Bert Blyleven was 4th in ERA.  With all this talent, the Angels finished third in the AL West with a 91-71 record.  Today, that kind of record would get you into the playoffs, but back then, you had to win one of only four divisions.

Thanks for reading!  Up next, on Monday: Blyleven and Finley's teammate on card #9, Kirk McCaskill.