Back to Base - the 1994 edition

A Back to Base post with a difference - three base cards from 1994.

Card Number 331: Topps, 1994; #620

1994 was a special year for Tony. It was the year he was a couple of hits away from recording a .400 batting average, and had to settle for the modern record of .394. 

1994 was also an infamous year for baseball, with the season cut short in August as the Player's Association called a general strike. The curtailed season meant there was no World Series. 

1994 was neither special nor infamous for the design of Topps baseball cards. This is bland. The photo of Tony running is well centred in the frame, though, and his face is visible, which elevates this above many other cards issued by Topps. 

There's a nice band of orange on the back. Very 1994.

The factoid notes that Tony was in illustrious company as one of only four players ever to have five hits in four games during a season. 

Card Number 332: Fleer, 1994; #665

A second card from 1994 that shows Tony running. Sometimes cards from particular years seem to have themes. At least these don't look like they were all from the same game, as three cards from 1995 do. Fleer earn themselves a bonus point for having the release year on the front, but otherwise this is another unremarkable card. 

The back mentions Tony's batting average in 1993 and how it was the highest he had posted since 1987. Brace yourself, lads!

Card Number 333: Leaf, 1994; #254

Leaf showed Tony at the plate on their card, although he is not in his batting stance.

The back is a collage.

The view of Jack Murphy Stadium is a great background. The designer has opted for a one line stats box with just the previous year's figures in. I'm OK with that. The faux ticket stub is a surprisingly uncommon design element on baseball cards, so that elevates this to a better than average base card.

Total: 333/394