J.J. Putz talks about Tom Brady, '80s facial hair and a dude named Hipolito on 'Old Baseball Cards'
J.J. Putz and I have found a new favorite baseball player. His name is Hipolito Pichardo. And just ask Putz — the former All-Star closer, who now works in the Arizona Diamondbacks front office — Hipolito Pichardo is an all-timer of a baseball name.
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Such are the joys of “Old Baseball Cards,” our baseball card-driven nostalgia series. In one moment, we’re admiring the ’80s facial hair of a Hall of the Famer, the next we’re gushing over a relief pitcher from the ’90s with a 4.44 career ERA and an 80-grade baseball name.
On this week’s episode, Putz was a delight as he opened a pack of 1984 Fleer and I opened some 1994 Topps Stadium Club. We talked about Tom Brady, with whom Putz shared a dorm in college, found some Tigers players he liked as a kid, marveled at 1984 Buck Martinez and pulled off a great 2-for-2 trade.
If you’re new to our show — welcome! Glad to have you. We open old baseball cards with baseball players, coaches and famous fans, using the cards as inspiration for stories and memories. We’ve had everybody from George Brett to Bill Nye on “Old Baseball Cards.” If you like what you see, we have a ton of great episodes below.
Previously on Old Baseball Cards
MUST-SEE EPISODES: Gary Vee | Randy Johnson | Felipe Alou | George Brett | Torey Lovullo | Pedro Martinez | Bronson Arroyo | Eric Davis | Dusty Baker | Hank Azaria | Alex Rodriguez | Scott Boras | A.J. Ellis | Bernie Williams | Chase Utley | John Smoltz | Best trades of 2017 | Best finds of 2017 | Best Guests of 2017 (Part 1) | Best Guests of 2017 (Part 2)
STARS FROM BACK IN THE DAY: Luis Gonzalez | Duane Kuiper | Edgar Martinez | Ryne Sandberg | Frank Thomas | Sandy Alomar Jr. | Delino DeShields | Cliff Floyd | Dan Plesac | Aaron Boone | Bobby Bonilla | Andre Dawson | Ivan Rodriguez | Jack Morris | Jeff Nelson | Mark Teixeira | Rick Ankiel | Kevin Millar
MANAGERS/COACHES: Terry Francona | Joe Maddon | Bruce Bochy | Clint Hurdle | Buck Showalter | Brad Mills | Bob Melvin | Dave Roberts | Gabe Kapler | Alex Cora | Dave Martinez | Ron Gardenhire | Scott Servais
CURRENT PLAYERS: Curtis Granderson | Noah Syndergaard | Kyle Hendricks | Clayton Kershaw | Todd Coffey | John Axford | Dee Gordon | Adam Eaton | Rajai Davis | Brad Ziegler & Tyler Clippard | Buster Posey, David Price & Anthony Rizzo
CELEBS: Bill Nye | HQ’s Scott Rogowsky | Mr. Belding | Alyssa Milano | Josh Duhamel | Joel McHale
ETC: Chris “Mad Dog” Russo | Josh Kusnick | Jeff Passan | Ken Kendrick
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Mike Oz is a writer at Yahoo Sports. Contact him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
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