The 1981 Topps baseball card #180 features Boston Red Sox second baseman Jerry Remy. The 1981 season would be Remy’s eighth year in the major leagues, all spent with the Red Sox. Born in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1953, Remy grew up a fan of the local Miami teams like the Dolphins and became a stellar athlete himself, playing second base for the University of Florida baseball team. Drafted by the Red Sox in the 4th round of the 1975 MLB draft, Remy wasted little time making his debut for the Red Sox and establishing himself as their starting second baseman.

By 1981, Remy had already garnered a reputation as one of baseball’s best fielding second basemen. Though he lacked power at the plate, hitting only 2 home runs in his rookie season of 1975, Remy was a smart situational hitter who could consistently make contact and get on base via singles and walks. His fielding prowess helped make up for any deficiencies with the bat as Remy amassed over a .980 fielding percentage in each of his first five MLB seasons. With slick glovework and steady if unspectacular offense, Remy cemented himself as a dependable veteran presence for the Red Sox infield in the early 1980s.

The 1981 Topps card shows Remy in his classic Red Sox home uniform posing with his bat on his shoulder out of the right-handed batter’s box. With his trademark mustache and thick dark hair visible under his cap, Remy presented somewhat of a throwback style compared to the fashion of the 80s. The crimson red cap, socks, and lettering on his jersey perfectly capture the iconic color scheme of the Red Sox. In the background, the green outfield grass and shadows create depth and dimension on the card. Topps photographers were known to creatively frame their baseball card subjects against complex landscapes to give visual interest beyond a simple headshot.

The reverse side of Remy’s 1981 Topps card contains his career statistics through 1980 as well as a brief bio. It notes he was a .275 career hitter through five MLB seasons with 35 home runs and 224 RBI. Defensively, it highlights Remy led American League second basemen in fielding percentage from 1976-1978. The card also mentions Remy was an All-Star in 1979 and won a Gold Glove that same season, recognizing him as the finest fielding second baseman in the American League. Coming off a season where he hit .275 with 4 home runs and 49 RBI, Remy and the Red Sox hoped to build on their 79-83 record from 1980 and improve in the competitive AL East division.

Unfortunately for Remy and the Red Sox franchise, injuries would hamper Remy for much of the 1981 season. He was limited to just 78 games played, hitting .263 with 2 home runs and 26 RBI. With Remy frequently sidelined, the Red Sox dipped to a dismal 79-82 record, good for 5th place in the AL East behind the heavily favored New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. Though Remy received his third career All-Star selection in 1981, the season was mostly a lost cause individually as recurring leg problems severely curtailed his playing time and production. At just 28 years old, Remy’s long-term future suddenly seemed uncertain due to his injury troubles.

However, Remy was not yet ready to walk away from the game. Through diligent rehabilitation and strength training in the 1982 offseason, he managed to play in 135 games the following year, bouncing back with career-highs of 13 home runs and 65 RBI. The reinvigorated Remy finished 8th in MVP voting and helped lead the Red Sox to an AL East division title, though they fell to the Milwaukee Brewers in the ALCS. Remy’s leadership and timely hitting from the two-hole in Boston’s lineup proved invaluable in their success. He appeared to have turned back Father Time and reestablished himself as an impact player when healthy.

The comeback season of 1982 gave Remy and collectors of his 1981 Topps card hope he still had productive seasons ahead. Unfortunately, fate intervened again in 1983 as Remy suffered a season-ending knee injury just 28 games into the year. He tried pitching in for a few more rehab games in 1984 but was never the same, finally deciding to retire at age 31 after 13 seasons in pro ball, all with the Red Sox. Despite his career being cut short by injuries, Remy had established himself as a sure-handed defensive star and reliable offensive contributor for Boston. His tireless work ethic in rehabbing injuries also endeared him to Red Sox fans.

In retirement, Remy has stayed heavily involved with the Red Sox franchise. A fan-favorite due to his grittiness and loyalty to Boston, Remy began his broadcasting career with the team in 1988 alongside Joe Castiglione and has become their lead color commentator, calling over 4,000 Red Sox games on NESN. Remy has also co-authored several books about the Red Sox. He remains an iconic figure in team history due to his impressive 12-year playing career and now entering his fourth decade in the Red Sox broadcast booth. Jerry Remy’s perseverance in overcoming injuries highlighted by his 1981 Topps card helped forge his legacy as a respected figure in Boston baseball.