Fun Cards: 1988 National League All-Star Third Basemen

Bobby Bonilla seemed to be the heir apparent to Mike Schmidt as the regular NL third baseman, and was given the starting job in 1988. He did log six All-Star Games between 1988 and 1995, but no one today would dare claim that his career measured up to Schmidt’s. To be fair, no one’s career measured up to Schmidt’s. Bonilla’s backups, Vance Law and rookie Chris Sabo, couldn’t claim it either.

Again, the voters and players agreed on the starter, and the managers and players were not far apart on the bench. Here are the players picks for third base in 1988:

• Bobby Bonllla 121
• Vance Law 14
• Mike Schmidt 11
• Chris Sabo 7
• Terry Pendleton
• Tim Wallach 5
• Pedro Guerrero 2
• Buddy Bell 1
• Kevin Mitchell 1
• Graig Nettles 1

Fun Cards: 1988 Topps All-Star Vance Law

Three-fourths of the Cubs’ infield was named to the National League All-Star team; the only omission was rookie first baseman Mark Grace. Vance Law made his first appearance as an All-Star, and finished with his highest RBI total and batting average of his career.

Manager Whitey Herzog put Law in the game in the ninth inning, but not at third base; Law replaced Cubs teammate Ryne Sandberg in the field at second base.