Ultimate Night Card???

Hey Night Owl, is this the ultimate night card?It looks like they put the card number on the MOON.

I am pretty sure Buice was part owner of Upper Deck back when they started. I vaguely remember seeing Upper Deck samples of Buice and other Angels at a card show in 1989. I assume this shot came from a promotional photo shoot before the initial Upper Deck release.

Buice pitched for 3 seasons. His best was easily his rookie year when he saved 17 games.
The design of 1989 Upper Deck holds up well even today. The same cannot be said for Buice's polyester uni or his crazy stache.

Tito Fuentes (1971)

While my newsworthy early break of 2009 Topps Series brought in the readers, I can't resist blogging about Tito. Here is the 1971 installment of Fuentes on cardboard:

Still bunted AND still unhappy about it. His position is listed as INFIELD. Tito played 2B, SS and 3B in 1970 with at least 24 games at each position.

STATS-ON-THE-BACK!!!!!!!!
1. 1971 Topps has lame backs. No cartoon,a dark B%W photo, weak player info, and only 2 lines of stats. TWO LINES OF STATS. It almost makes me cry, but Tito would not like that.
2. Switch Hitter. Should have found that info in 1970 but the there was so much ststy goodness on that card. FYI - His 1967 card listed him as a right-handed batter only. Not sure when he started hitting from both sides.
3. I got nothing else for you.

1972 promises to be a step up for one reason, Double the Tito!

Tito Fuentes (1970)

Tito's 1967 line of.209/.266/.294 did not impress the Giants or Topps. Fuentes did not appear in a big league game in 1968, thus no card in 1969 either. He found his way back to the Giants in 1969. Here's his 1970 Topps card #42:
He's bunting but he's not that into it. Maybe it's payback on Topps for leaving him out in 1968. Also notice that he has moved from the middle of the infield to the HOT corner.

And now flip to the STATS-ON-THE-BACK:Here is the new info we now know:
1. Second last name: Peat?
2. Lettered in baseball, basketball, and Boxing. What high school has varsity boxing?
3. Anoher Hobby: Ping Pong. While not coaching little league, Tito plays table tennis. Multi-talented! Don't you think it's unfair that Athletes are so often gifted in multiple sports. Yes, Ping Pong is a sport.
4. Tito earned his roster spot back with some nice stats in Phoenix. He didn't play much so maybe he was actually injured.

1971 Topps comin' at you, NEXT!

Tito Fuentes (1967)

More Tito so soon? Si!!!

Here is Tito's 1967 Topps card commemorating his first full season in the majors:
Fuentes finished third in the ROY voting behind Tommy Helms and Sonny Jackson in 1966.
Since lame catcher Bob Barton is not cluttering up the card, maybe we can find out some nuggets from the STATS-ON-THE-BACK:1. Born in 1944. That would make him 65, qualifying him for discount coffee everywhere!
2. Led the Giants in SB. Since Tito only had 6, it means San Fran was frightfully slow on the base paths. One might choose the term Boog-esque.
3. Kid friendly. He managed a little league team. The cartoon depicts Tito yelling at a scared child. Other cartoon pictures Tito holding a firearm. Topps cartoonists seem unfond of young Fuentes.
4. May have juiced in 1965. Over a 200% increase in HR from the previous year? Kidding!
5. Good Power ... for a man of his size? 5'11'' 175 9 HRs. Sounds about right.

Don't get your hopes up for 1968 and 1969 Topps cards. We'll catch up with Tito in the groovy 70's!

Tito Fuentes (1966)

At long last, I thought I would share some TITO!

I am now a true Tito Fuentes super-collector. I check ebay at least twice a week to see if any cool Tito paraphernalia is for sale. I got the RC quite a while back.
Tito is featured with catcher Bob Barton. Fuentes is still very young and isn't ready to show off the flair that later characterizes his cardboardian images.
Here's what we find out about the mysterious young Tito Fuentes from his STATS-ON-THE-BACK!
1. Middle-Infielder. SS-2B
2. Considerable Pop. 20 homers in Tacoma last year (1965).
3. Future Legend. It does say Rookie Star. 302 average last year? Ok, maybe decent prospect.

Come back for some '67 vintage Tito!