The 1986 Topps baseball card #741 featured Boston Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman. Gedman had established himself as the Red Sox primary catcher by 1986 and was coming off another solid season behind the plate for the Sox. The photograph on the ‘86 Topps card shows Gedman kneeling on one knee in his Red Sox home uniform with catcher’s gear on. He is holding his glove up near his face with the web facing toward the camera. In the background, blurred fans can be seen in the stands at historic Fenway Park.
Rich Gedman was born in March 1957 in Waukegan, Illinois. He grew up a Cubs fan but would make a name for himself as a key member of the Boston Red Sox organization. Gedman started his professional career after being drafted by the Red Sox in the 4th round of the 1975 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Waukegan West High School. He worked his way up through Boston’s farm system quickly due to his defensive skills and abilities as a catcher.
Gedman made his MLB debut for the Red Sox in September 1980 at the age of 23. In 1981, he became the Red Sox primary catcher, hitting .274 with 52 RBI in 105 games played. His defense behind the plate was also praised as he threw out 40% of would-be base stealers. Gedman established himself as one of the top young catchers in baseball during the early 1980s. He was selected to his first All-Star game in 1984 after hitting .272 with 14 home runs and 68 RBI for Boston that season.
By 1986 when the Topps card was issued, Gedman was in his 7th season as the Red Sox catcher. In 1985, he had one of his best statistical seasons, hitting .288 with career-highs of 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 142 games played. His defense once again stood out as he threw out 42% of potential base stealers. Going into the ‘86 season, the 29-year-old Gedman had developed into a leader both offensively and defensively for the Red Sox. He had earned the respect of pitchers on the staff for his ability to call a game and block balls in the dirt.
The 1986 season would be another strong one statistically for Gedman portrayed on the Topps card. He played in 150 games, hitting .264 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI. His fielding percentage of .992 led all American League catchers. Gedman also had another excellent season throwing out baserunners at a 41% clip. While the Red Sox finished third in the AL East division that year with an 86-76 record, Gedman continued to prove his value both offensively and defensively to the ball club.
Following the 1986 season, Gedman remained the Red Sox primary catcher through the 1989 season. He was selected to the All-Star team again in 1987 after hitting .279 with career-highs of 23 home runs and 82 RBI. Unfortunately injuries began taking their toll on the defensively-skilled catcher in later seasons. Gedman played in fewer than 100 games from 1988-1989 due to various injuries to his knee and back. He was still effective when on the field, winning a Gold Glove Award in 1988.
In 1990 at age 33, Gedman signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros but was limited to only 51 games over two seasons due to injuries. He retired after the 1991 season with a career batting average of .264 along with 106 home runs and 528 RBI in 1256 games played over 12 MLB seasons, all with either the Red Sox or Astros. Gedman went on to work in baseball operations and player development roles after his playing career ended. He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2000 for his contributions during his prime years with the club from 1980-1989.
In conclusion, Rich Gedman’s 1986 Topps baseball card #741 memorialized him during the peak of his successful career as the Boston Red Sox starting catcher. From 1984-1987, Gedman established himself as one of the top offensive and defensive catchers in baseball. Though injuries later diminished his production, Gedman will always be remembered fondly by Red Sox fans for over a decade of dedicated service both defensively behind the plate and offensively at it as their battery leader. His individual accolades and contributions to winning ball clubs in Boston made him one of the franchise’s most respected catchers of all time.
