1991(?) Houston Astros Team Issue Photo Cards

    Yet another case of not knowing something existed until it turned up on eBay, these photos were given out by the Houston Astros in response to fan mail, usually fan mail asking for autographs, but not having actually provided anything to be signed.  I recently picked this up along with the original team envelope containing "Thank you for your interest in our team" letter, a pocket schedule and these two photos.  As far as I know, Houston still gives out these types of photo cards for fan pack requests.

    The black & white photos are blank backed and measure 3 5/16" x 4 7/8".  Based on this particular arrangement of player name and fielding position, along with the assortment of players I've seen in this design on eBay, the Astros issued these from about 1987 to 1993.  Below are the other players I have seen recently in this same design:

Larry Andersen
Eric Anthony
Jeff Bagwell
Kevin Bass
Andujar Cedeno
Benny Disteafano
Doug Drabek
Steve Finley (different photo, with normal undershirt instead of turtleneck)
Luis Gonzalez
Pete Harnisch
Billy Hatcher
Chuck Jackson
Darryl Kile
Mark Portugal
Dave Smith
Harry Spilman
Gene Tenace (Coach)
Eric Yelding

    All of the above I lump together because all the players are wearing the same style jersey.  I've also seen a Julio Linares (coach) card in the same card style, but wearing the newer uniform the Astros introduced in 1994.

There are those who would call me.....Tuffy?

     Karl Derrick Rhodes, an outfielder for Western Hills High School of Cincinnati, Ohio, was drafted in the 3rd round (#68 overall) of the 1986 June draft by the Houston Astros.  Swift on the bases, but not overwhelming of power.  Karl was chosen to help out with Houston's youth movement of the late 80s and early 90s.  The team had high hopes for Karl, along with the likes of Gerald Young, Eric Anthony, Cameron Drew, Ken Caminiti, Craig Biggio & Kenny Lofton.  Some would fulfill those hopes, others not so much.

     Here is Tuffy's first baseball card, from the 1987 ProCards Asheville Tourists set.  Skinny 18 year old kid, drafted for his speed more than anything else.  Those stats don't look too bad for someone straight out of high school.

  

     For whatever reason, despite Karl having been nicknamed "Tuffy" years before making it in pro baseball, it wasn't until his infamous 3-HR perfomance with the Cubs that he would be listed as "Tuffy Rhodes" on a baseball card. I guess "Tuffy" was just easier for the Japanese to pronounce than "Karl", as he's listed as Tuffy on all of his Japanese issue cards.