The 1989 Topps baseball card set included several young stars and fan favorites. Card number 70 featured Bobby Witt, a hard throwing right-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.
Witt was born in 1967 in San Diego, California. He grew up dreaming of becoming a big league baseball player. As a youth, Witt developed incredible arm strength and velocity with his fastball. He attended high school in San Diego and quickly rose to become one of the top prep pitching prospects in the country.
After graduating in 1985, Witt was selected first overall by the Rangers in the MLB draft. He had an electric fastball that could touch upper 90s mph with excellent movement. Witt rose quickly through the Rangers farm system showing dominance against minor league hitters.
By 1988, at just 20 years old, Witt was ready for his major league debut. He started the season with Texas and immediately displayed his overwhelming stuff. Witt struck out 115 batters in his rookie season while posting a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts and 145 innings pitched. His fastball blew hitters away as he racked up impressive strikeout totals.
However, Witt also battled some control issues in 1988. He walked 66 batters which was quite high for a young power pitcher. But the Rangers were thrilled with Witt’s rookie campaign as he showed all the potential of a future ace. Entering 1989, the team viewed Witt as their staff ace and the future of the franchise.
The 1989 Topps card captured Witt during his breakout sophomore season with Texas. The photo shows Witt mid-delivery, his powerful right arm cocked back ready to launch his fastball. He has a fierce competitive look on his face, eyes focused intently on the plate. The vibrant blue and orange Rangers uniform pops visually against the monochrome background.
On the stat line, Witt’s impressive rookie numbers are prominently displayed. It notes his 3.41 ERA and 145 innings pitched as he established himself as a workhorse starter as a rookie. The card provides a brief bio on Witt, mentioning he was the overall #1 pick out of high school by the Rangers just four years prior in 1985.
In 1989, Witt took his game to an even higher level. He lowered his ERA to 2.88 while increasing his innings pitched to 186 over 32 starts. Witt’s strikeout rate jumped up to an impressive 11.6 K/9 as he racked up 186 total strikeouts on the season. His blazing fastball reached even greater velocities which truly overwhelmed American League hitters.
Witt established himself as the staff ace for Texas, leading the Rangers in innings and strikeouts. He received strong consideration for the AL Cy Young Award and finished 9th in voting despite pitching for a last place Rangers team. Witt looked every bit the part of a future pitching superstar at just 22 years old entering 1990.
Tragically, Witt’s career and life were derailed just a month after the 1989 season concluded. On December 4th, 1989, Witt was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Arlington, Texas where he lost control of the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries including damage to his kidneys leading to a nearly fatal bout with sepsis.
The seemingly-invincible pitcher who overpowered hitters with his electric stuff now faced doubts if he’d ever pitch again after the accident. Witt fought hard through multiple surgeries and a lengthy rehab process. He was finally able to return to the mound in 1993 but was no longer the same dominant pitcher. Multiple trips to the disabled list and inconsistency hampered the remainder of Witt’s career.
In retrospect, Bobby Witt’s 1989 Topps card captured him at the absolute peak and prime of his career before tragedy struck. That sophomore season established Witt as one of baseball’s most exciting young arms. He gave Rangers fans hope for the future. While injuries cut short his potential superstardom, Witt will always be remembered for showcasing incredible ability during the 1988-1989 seasons depicted on his Topps card.
