Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Topps Now: April Random Cards

There have not been a ton of good Topps Now cards issued this year, but I've grabbed a few.

I already talked about the game that this card represents because it was the Road to Opening Day bonus.  Tanner Houck started off the season great and threw a complete-game shutout over Cleveland on April 17.  He struck out nine and gave up just three hits.  

My favorite Topps Now cards to grab are the ones with obscure players who have very few cards or are on their first Red Sox card.  Cam Booser made his Major League debut on April 19 after a whirlwind professional career.  He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Twins in 2013, pitched for a few years then retired from baseball in 2017.  He then returned, signing with the Diamondbacks in 2022.  Boston signed him as a minor league free agent in 2023 and he made it to the Majors as a 32-year-old rookie this season.  And he has had some good moments too.  He is the oldest Red Sox player to make his Major League debut since Tommy Fine in 1947.

And finally, Ceddanne Rafaela exploded with a seven-RBI performance on April 27 in a 17-0 win over the Cubs.  Rafaela had four hits in four at-bats with three runs scored.  He hit two doubles and a two-run home run and also stole a base.  Rafaela has been a very good player this season, but has some room to grow.  Boston signed him to a big extension, so it is clear he is in the future plans of the team.

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