Cardboard Flashback: Tommy Hinzo

In 1987, the Indians needed to make move toward youth. Manager Pat Corrales had been fired in favor of Doc Edwards, so the house cleaning had begun. The Tribe decided to trade Topps All-Star Tony Bernazard to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Darrel Akerfelds and catcher Brian Dorsett, two guys who were pretty terrible. Dorsett played in 5 games as an Indian, while Akerfelds posted a 6.75 ERA in 16 appearances. This trade paved the way for a young hot second base switch hitting prospect named Tommy Hinzo.

This University of Arizona product may have been rushed to the majors a bit too prematurely (drafted in the 7th round a year earlier). Teflon Tommy hit a respectable .265 the rest of the year in 257 at bats, but didn't have a lot of power (3 HR, 21 RBI). Also going against Hinzo was he rarely ever walked (10 Bases on Balls) and was a bit of a butcher out in the field, booting the ball 9 times. The team ended the season 61-101, while Hinzo's career in Cleveland subsequently ended as well. Apparently the ability not to get on base much and have an iron glove were not what Cleveland was looking for in their two-bagger, as the Indians decided to move the ageless Julio Franco over to second instead of letting Tiny Tommy man the diamond.

Hinzo did make his valiant return to the Wigwam in 1989, amassing 17 more Major League at bats. He unfortunately went hitless. That put a stamp on the career of the San Diego native. Maybe Cleveland was too cold? The great thing about this 1988 Topps gem of a card was that old Municipal Stadium looked pretty full in the good seats for a game that definitely meant nothing. I will always remember Tommy Hinzo for the mere fact that I had like 8 of these cards and nobody would trade me for one. Now I remember why.