Max came through again with some cards to help out with my 1987 Topps set. Crossing off the tough Mark Portugal (above) was something I was really happy to do once I opened his gift. He also got me another signed card from the set, but I had already gotten the same guy from a private signing, so Max's will be used to trade for someone else that I need and will be posted later on.
Portugal (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1985 to 1999 for the Twins, Astros, Giants, Reds, Phillies and Red Sox. He had a career record of 109-95 with 1,134 strike outs and a 4.03 ERA. He finished 6th in the 1993 NL Cy Young Race and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1994. He was part of the Teins organization when they won the World Series in 1987, but did not pitch in the playoffs.
Max also found this Wamder Franco signed 1987 Topps-design insert when he was looking for signed 87s and picked it up for me. He got it as a joke, and i definitely chuckled when I saw it. What a shame, though. Wander was really cool the couple of times when I met him in Durham. I'm going to refrain from discussing his issues much more other than I know we will never see him play in the majors again. Still, it's a nice card and I'm still putting it in the autograph album.
Thank you so much for the Christmas gift Max. You always come through.
