Eddie Murray, 1984 Ralston Purina #1

It's a weekend jam-packed with Orioles baseball for me. Last night I was on hand for Manny Machado's first two major league home runs and his first curtain call, as the O's whomped the Royals 7-1. Poor overlooked Miguel Gonzalez earned his fourth win with a career-high eight innings of six-hit, one-run ball. I don't know what the team can do for an encore this evening, but the unveiling of Eddie Murray's Orioles Legends statue in the center field picnic area is something worthwhile. I'd also like to see the Birds get back to 10 games above .500 for the first time since June 24, of course. This is my first chance to see the "new and improved" Chris Tillman, so fingers crossed that he's on his game.

Jim Palmer, 1984 Ralston Purina #23

Because I occasionally do requests, this card is being posted at the strong urging of regular reader Bob, a.k.a. "Commish". He pointed out that the Jim Palmer jersey swatch card that I featured in June served to spark a five-game winning streak by the O's, and that the beleaguered Birds could use all the help they can get right now. I can't argue with that logic!

One of the great things about Palmer's cards is that an especially high percentage of them seem to feature him without a hat, as though the master pitcher were so preoccupied with his own matinee idol good looks that he wouldn't dare sully them by covering up his chestnut locks with that vulgar tri-colored cap with its leering cartoon bird. And who was going to tell him to get himself in full uniform? Who would dare? Some two-bit photographer from Topps? Ha. I think not.

So come on, Jim. Use all the Samson-like powers of your unruly coif to will the Orioles to victory.