1986 was a banner year for Marty Barrett. He finished with a .286 BA and set career highs in hits (179), runs (94), RBIs (60), doubles (39), stolen bases (15), walks (65), and total bases (238). Barrett also ended the year sharing the top of the MLB lead in sacrifice hits (18) and finished second in AB per Strike Outs (20.2). Defensively, Barrett appeared in the most games at second (158) while leading the American League in assists by a second baseman (450). Overall, he finished 17th in MVP voting.

Individually, a handful of games stick out during the ’86 season.

1986 Topps/O-Pee-Chee Stickers #250

On the 20th of April, the Red Sox were looking for an early season sweep of the visiting White Sox. The Boston nine threatened early on when Jim Rice reached first on an error to start the bottom of the second inning. Don Baylor hit into a force out and Tony Armas slapped a single to right field. Barrett proceeded to rope a single to right, knocking in Baylor. He would then score on a double by Ed Romero, thanks to a throwing error by Carlton Fisk. The Sox would tack on another run before the end of the inning. In the bottom of the third, Barrett walked but was ultimately stranded. He came up again in the bottom of the sixth and led off with a double to left field off of reliever Neil Allen, ultimately scoring on a sacrifice fly by Dwight Evans. He came up one last time in the seventh and hit a single to center, but never crossed home plate. Barrett finished the day going 3/3 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. The Red Sox won 6-2.

Barrett’s next highlight game came on June 30th against the Toronto Blue Jays. Between his 3/3 game on April 20th through June 29th, Barrett had struggled to find his batting rhythm, hitting .268 during that time. While not terrible, Barrett was, and proved to be, capable of much more. Barrett was batting lead-off and in the bottom of the first, smacked a double off of Jim Clancy and scored when Wade Boggs roped a single. In the bottom of the fifth, Barrett led off the inning with a walk but was thrown out on a fielder’s choice. Barrett quickly came up again in the bottom of the second and hit a single but with two outs, Boggs could not drive him in. In the bottom of the sixth, with the Sox trailing 7-9, Barrett came up with one out and one on. He cracked a double down the right field line which scored Romero. He then stole second (his seventh of the year) and scored on a wild pitch by Dennis Lamp to tie the game. He came up again in the bottom of the seventh with two out and the bases loaded. Barrett could not deliver, though, and grounded out to third. He would get his redemption, however, in the bottom of the tenth in a tied game. Barrett led off the inning with a single to center. Boggs sacrificed him to second and Bill Buckner was intentionally walked. Rice struck out but when Baylor was hit by a pitch, Dwight Evans came up with the bases loaded and one out to win the game. Dewey drew a walk against Jim Acker and Barrett scored the winning run. He finished the game going 4/5 with a double, walk, RBI, stolen base, and scoring three runs, one that tied the game and one that won the game. He raised his season BA from .277 to .286.

1986 Topps Stickers #250

His next noteworthy game came on August 21st against the Indians at Cleveland. The game started innocently enough with Greg Swindell retiring Barrett and the gang in order in the top of the first. In the top of the third, Barrett walked and was then knocked in by Evans. He came up again in the third with two out and two on and singled in Armas, giving the Sox a 4-1 lead. He came up again in the sixth with one on and one out and singled in Spike Owen. He would score when Buckner drew a bases loaded walk. The Sox batted around the order in the sixth and when Barrett came up for a second time in the inning with the bases loaded and two out, he laced a two-run double off of Bryan Oelkers. He scored later that inning thanks for an Evans single. When the dust had settled, Boston had put up a dozen runs in the sxith. Barrett was replaced by Romero in the bottom of the sixth and the Sox cruised to a 24-5 victory. Barrett finished the day going 3/4 with a double, three runs scored, four RBIs, and a walk.

From that game until the end of the season, Barrett hit at about his season average (.287 during that span). Over the course of the season, he had fourteen three-hit games and eight three-run games.

1986 O-Pee-Chee Stickers #250

Card Thoughts

Throughout the 80′s, Topps/O-Pee-Chee released sticker sets which were produced by Panini in Italy. The 1986 issue contained 315 “cards” and a sticker album to fill. The stickers are smaller than a regular card (2 1/8″ X 3″) and are numbered on the front and back. Some stickers contain two players, as seen here, while the backs offer a mail away promotion. Topps stickers have a two promotions: a sweepstakes for a trip to spring training and an offer to get a complete sticker set. The O-Pee-Chee backs have an offer to get ten stickers for a mere loonie.

Barrett shares his sticker with San Francisco corner infielder Dan Driessen. Barrett gets the headshot treatment while Driessen gets the batting practice action shot. Not too much to say here as Marty’s photo here is similar to his regular ’86 Topps release. At leased it is framed properly and the red border matches.

Yeah, my posts have been sporadic at best. And I may have put on a contest only so people would remember my blog. I HAVE NO SHAME!

See, things have been busy. I’m trying to move out to Los Angeles and I’ve been preoccupied with applying to jobs 3,000 miles away. I’ve also been trying to save my pennies.

BUT!

Sometimes something comes along for too good of a deal and I have to pull the trigger.

I picked this up off of eBay the other day for $18, shipping included:

2001-2002 Be A Player Signature Series #LJS Joe Sakic

2001-2002 Be A Player Signature Series #LJS Joe Sakic

It was too cheap to not grab. Plus, it meets all my HOF autographed card standards: on-card, in his most recognizable sweater (I mean, he only played for one team and yes, the Nords and Avs are the same franchise), and is from his playing days. Sure, BAP is sort of the black sheep of on-card autos but why pay $50 for a Sakic auto when I can spend $18. Same player, same signature. Also, Sakic autos have held their value over the years. Rarely do you find them for under $40. He is just one of those guys that has a strong hobby following and that no one really dislikes.

Good guy Joe.

Toronto up 4-1 with about 10 minutes left?

5-4 OT win for Boston?