Today, we pop open a pack of 1991 Leaf Studio. I have always liked the Studio series because I liked the 'professional' poses and the wacky info they collected about the players. After opening this pack, I use the term 'professional' very, VERY loosely....
Mike Scott (Astros) - He collects golf clubs, watches Rocky & Bullwinkle, and his hero is Dennis Liborio (The Astros equipment manager...).
Benito Santiago (Padres) - "Let's be sure to get that earring in there, and, oh, could you snuggle up to this long, thick bat for us, too?" He likes Cars, salsa music, Arsenio Hall, Roberto Clemente and Johnny Bench.
Mike Scioscia (Dodgers) - "Give us that intent look, and we'll take the picture just as you are slapping your glove to get that bit of motion blur we've been looking for in the Studio series..." He likes to play the guitar, listen to Motown, watch "All in the Family," and his heroes are Johnny Bench and Thurman Munson (not to be confused with Herman Munster!).
Greg Swindell (Indians) - "Okay, Greg, we have this bottle of mousse..." Does he have the "Good Lord, just shoot me" look on his face, or what? He likes golf, country-western music, watches more TV than most players judging by the list of shows he watches, and he collects...boots. They ran out of room on the card for a hero list.
Dave Righetti (Giants) - "Dave! Wake up! Did you forget you had pictures today!? Get down here, NOW!" He likes golf and drafting. What is drafting? Is that a beer thing? He watches Knots Landing... Do these folks actually THINK before they answer the questions? His hero is his Dad, Leo.
Marquis Grissom (Expos) - There you go, the traditional professional pose. No jewelry, no props. He likes to fish and draw, likes R&B, watches Cosby, and his hero is Andre Dawson.
Dave Stieb (Blue Jays) - "Show us your ball, and look mad about it." He hunts, fishes, plays guitar, likes rock and blues, has an 'extensive guitar collection,' and his hero is Reggie Jackson.
Howard Johnson (Mets) - "Could you cover a third of your face with the bat, please? Thanks." He collects fish, likes deep-sea fishing, and watches "Gilligan's Island reruns." His hero is Jesus (fisher of men). To say he's got fishing in his blood would be an understatement.
Kelly Mann (Braves) - "Hey! Could you do your best (worst) Vanilla Ice impersonation?? Thanks!" Really? Gel, the fade, even the look... What a sad, sad day... He likes biking and working out, like progressive and classic rock, collect clothes and shoes (HUH?). His heroes are Bob Boone, Steve Yeager, and Carlton Fisk.
Steve Lake (Phillies) - The bird is his. Seriously. "Ruffles." At first, I thought the bird was Leaf's idea, but after reading the back of the card, it's easy to see that Lake wanted the bird in there.... He raises birds, likes restoring cars, watches EPSN, and his hero is Joe Montana.
Diamond King Piece (Rod Carew) - Numbers 10, 11, and 12 of the Rod Carew puzzle. They look like a pencil sketch.
And, finally, the pack itself. Black-N-Gold. Pittsburgh's colors. Can't go wrong with that. :-)
Jeff Reardon - Beard!
Bret Saberhagen - Looks a little skeezy here.
Harold Reynolds - Before he was the best studio analyst in the biz.
Frank Thomas - Dig the fade, man.
Kirby Puckett - The bat to head studio thing is a bit overdone in this set, I fear.
Gary Scott - Uh, who? First guy in the pack I couldn't tell you a thing about. Here's the back.
Kevin McReynolds - So dreamy.
Matt Williams - See what I mean about the bat thing?
Mike Scott - Looking like Andre the Giant. Just a bit? Maybe? Ok, fine.
Rod Carew Puzzle Piece - Probably the most boring piece I could get.
