Oil Can Boyd was one of the most colorful and unique pitchers in Major League Baseball during the 1980s. His unconventional personality and antics on the mound made him a fan favorite wherever he played. Boyd’s story is one of both success and struggles, but above all it captured people’s imagination. As a result, some of his baseball cards from his playing career are highly sought after by collectors today.
Dennis Ray “Oil Can” Boyd was born in 1955 in Columbus, Mississippi. He got his nickname from his father because as a child he was always getting into things and messing around, similar to an “oil can.” Boyd made his MLB debut in 1978 with the Boston Red Sox at just 22 years old. His erratic delivery and high leg kick gave batters fits. In 1981, he led the American League with 13 complete games and helped the Red Sox reach the ALCS.
Boyd’s most prominent baseball cards come from his years pitching for the Red Sox and Montreal Expos in the early 1980s. Some of his key rookie and early career cards include:
1979 Topps #582: Boyd’s first major baseball card shows him in a Red Sox uniform from his rookie season in 1978. While not extremely rare, it captures Boyd at the beginning of his MLB journey.
1980 Topps #655: Another early Red Sox card of Boyd that saw limited print runs. Displays his funky delivery and growing presence in the Boston rotation.
1981 Topps Traded #44T: Documents Boyd’s breakout 13-win season for the Red Sox in 1981 where he led the AL in complete games. More scarce than his basic issue cards.
1982 Donruss #89: Shows Boyd after being traded to the Montreal Expos in 1982, one of his best statistical seasons. High demand for Expos collectors.
1982 Topps #183: Boyd’s famous squinting face on his main ’82 Topps card as an Expo. Iconic image recognized by any baseball card fan.
Beyond their significance to Boyd’s career, these early 1980s cards became highlycoveted in the years following as the right-handed fireballer developed a folk hero status among fans. His willingness to speak his mind and play with emotion resonated strongly.
Tragically, Boyd’s personal issues with alcohol and drugs began seriously affecting his performance by the mid-1980s. He bounced around with the Rangers, Angels, and Royals before hanging up his cleats in 1989 at just 34 years old. Boyd struggled mightily with addiction after retiring from baseball. He eventually got sober in the late 1990s and became an outreach counselor trying to help others battling substance abuse.
In more recent memory, ESPN produced a 30-for-30 documentary in 2016 titled “Oil Can” which profiled Boyd’s baseball career and life after the game. It brought renewed mainstream interest to his compelling story. Today, Boyd lives in Florida and remains actively involved in recovery support.
Meanwhile, collectors continue to appreciate Boyd’s memorable playing days through his baseball cards. Pristine high-grade examples from his Red Sox and Expos years regularly fetch big money at auction. Perhaps none are more significant than his famous 1982 Topps #183 Expos card. In top MM condition, it can sell for over $1000 given Boyd’s enduring impact and popularity among cardboard aficionados.
Overall, Oil Can Boyd carved out a place among the most interesting personalities ever seen in Major League Baseball. His baseball cards from the early 1980s remain a favorite of collectors thanks to their rarity, the iconic photos they captured, and their link to Boyd’s cult legend that still fascinates fans today. While oil cans are no longer associated with childhood mischief, Dennis Boyd’s baseball cards ensure his flashy career and larger-than-life image live on for future generations to discover.
