1991 Topps #356 Mike Marshall

In this series, I look at my first team set: 1991 Topps. This was the set I started my baseball card collection with.

I would bet that most people had no idea that Mike Marshall, the one-time Los Angeles Dodger slugger, ever played for the Red Sox.  But he did, for about 52 games over two seasons.  Marshall was not that far-removed from being a productive player.  He was just 30 years old in 1990 and had hit 20 home runs in 1988.  He declined significantly in 1989 and then was traded to the Mets in a deal for Juan Samuel.

In 1990, Marshall started the season with the Mets and then a few days before the trading deadline, the Red Sox sent three minor leaguers to New York to add some pop to their offense.  Marshall hit reasonably well for Boston that season.  He finished his time in Boston with a line of .286/.316/.464 but hit just four home runs and drove in 12.  He also struck out 26 times versus just four walks.  1991 saw him hit .290 with no walks in 22 games and then he was released.  

Mike Marshall is one of the players I have the fewest cards of from the 1991 Topps set.  That is mostly due to his short stint in Boston.  Still a nice picture though.