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Rick Reuschel enjoyed a 19-year career that included multiple All Star appearances and Gold Gloves. The former 20-game winner finished with 214 wins and 2,015 strikeouts.

“Big Daddy” had a portly build belied his athleticism. Reuschel earned two Gold Glove Awards. Runners were caught stealing against him at 42% of the time compared to the league average 33%. Solid with the glove, his fielding percentage was 21 points better than league average.

A sabermetric darling, Reuschel’s career is best appreciated through the lens of advanced metrics. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 31% better than league average. He gave up 21.6% fewer homers than his NL counterparts.

Reuschel played on some bad teams. His 214-191 record is good for a .528 winning percentage. When he wasn’t on the mound, his teams went 1358-1515, a .473 winning percentage. Reuschel’s mark is 55 points higher.

His career WAR is a stunning 69.5. That ranks just above the average for Hall of Fame pitchers. Among those with a lower WAR than Reuschel are no-doubt Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Bob Feller, and Carl Hubbell.

Reuschel pitched with bad defenses behind him. More than 10% of the runs he gave up were unearned. That no doubt hurt his win total. He was also hampered by his home park of more than a dozen years. Chicago’s Wrigley Field is one of the worst pitchers’ parks of his era.

Reuschel retired in 1991, well before the sabermetric revolution. Five years later when he was on the Hall of Fame ballot, only 2 of the 473 baseball writers voted for him.

As analysis of performance continues to improve, many are calling for a second look at Reuschel’s Cooperstown candidacy.

In the collection is this trio of Topps baseball cards. The middle card is from the 1977 set and is signed by the Reuschel brothers Rick and Paul. It’s flanked by 1978 Topps cards also autographed by the siblings.

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Bo Jackson’s performance in the 1989 All-Star Game at Anaheim Stadium remains legendary. In the bottom of the first inning, Jackson stepped up to the plate with the crowd buzzing.

He faced Giants pitcher Rick Reuschel, who offered up a fastball over the plate. Jackson, with his trademark power, timed the pitch perfectly and launched the ball into the night sky.

It sailed over the outfield wall, becoming a memorable home run. The crowd erupted in excitement, recognizing the power and grace of one of the most gifted athletes in sports.

Jackson’s home run was a statement of his abilities, combining strength, timing, and raw athleticism. At that moment, he cemented his place as a fan favorite, thrilling the hometown crowd. The blast set the tone for a game filled with highlights, but it was Jackson’s towering homer that stood out.

The image above shows a short note from Bo thanking a fan for supporting his baseball career with the Royals. Notice the Montgomery, Alabama postmark dated February 23, 1987 on the accompanying envelope.

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On July 11, 1989, during the 66th MLB All-Star Game at Anaheim Stadium, Bo Jackson and Wade Boggs made history. They became the first pair of players in All-Star history to lead off the first inning with back-to-back home runs.

Rick Reuschel, the National League pitcher, took the mound and quickly became the victim of the blasts. Jackson smashed a towering home run, setting the tone for the game.

In the announcer’s booth was Vin Scully, joined by guest and former president Ronald Reagan. After Jackson’s ball landed in the stands, Boggs worked the count to 3-and-2. On the next pitch, the Hall of Fame third baseman hammered Reuschel’s full-count offering. As the ball took flight, Reagan chimed in, “Hey, that looks like it’s going there too!”

Scully described the scene, “A rather electrifying moment here in Anaheim. With the National League leading two-to-nothing, consecutive home runs by Bo Jackson and Wade Boggs.”

These two early homers immediately erased the National League’s 2-run lead and tied the game. Jackson’s raw power and Boggs’ hitting precision sparked the offense and helped the American League maintain control.

The game ended with a 5-3 victory for the American League, with the heroics of Jackson and Boggs heroics playing a key role in the win. Jackson, a dual-sport star, and Boggs, a hitting legend, left their mark on the 66th All-Star Game, making it one of the most exciting starts in MLB history.

In the collection is a contract signed by Wade Boggs agreeing to have his signature appear on souvenir baseballs with stamped autographs.

The terms of the contract?

Boggs received one cent per ball sold. Interestingly Boggs signed the contract on March 7, 1982 but would not debut in the big leagues until April 10 later that year.