Tim 'Rock' Raines Topps Cards 1989-92

[Extra Innings]

I know that Tim Raines nickname was 'Rock' throughout his career. Topps listed him as 'Rock' in their base sets from 1989-1992. Bowman did the same from '90-'92. From what I've seen all the other guys (Score, Donruss, and Fleer) just listed him as Tim.

Did he have a special deal with Topps..?? BTW, I think Raines was the last player to use a batting helmet without an ear cover.

[G1911]

I don't the know "why", but I loved his 89 Topps card as a kid solely because "Rock Raines" is a fantastic name

[Rich Klein]

Topps was trying to be 'hip" to players wishes. Dwight Gooden's cards during this period called him Doc.

Rich

[Extra Innings]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Topps was trying to be 'hip" to players wishes. Dwight Gooden's cards during this period called him Doc.

Rich

Ahhh, good catch.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by G1911

I don't the know "why", but I loved his 89 Topps card as a kid solely because "Rock Raines" is a fantastic name

Well Rock is better than "Rock of Cocaine Raines".

[homerunderby]

Maybe the reason is because Topps signs each player to a contract. The other companies got rights through MLBPA. Raines and Gooden maybe were able to stipulate how their name appeared with Topps because they had a choice not to sign.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Well Rock is better than "Rock of Cocaine Raines".

I'm going to have to disagree there, a Rock of Cocaine Raines card would be even cooler.

[Tripredacus]

Originally Posted by homerunderby

Maybe the reason is because Topps signs each player to a contract. The other companies got rights through MLBPA. Raines and Gooden maybe were able to stipulate how their name appeared with Topps because they had a choice not to sign.

I think it was because of this. I recall reading something along the lines of "the name on the contract is the name on the card" as the reasoning why Ichiro Suzuki's cards just had Ichiro printed on them.