Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1989 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Orestes Destrade
Position/Team: 1st Base for Pirates
Card #: 27
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
In the 1990s, if you were a baseball fan, Orestes “The Big O” Destrade was a fascinating figure because he conquered two different worlds. While he’s remembered as a cornerstone of the expansion Florida Marlins, he is an absolute legend in Japan.
Destrade is arguably one of the greatest foreign players to ever play in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
The Seibu Lions Dynasty: Joining the Seibu Lions in 1989, he led the league in home runs for three consecutive seasons (1990–1992). He won three straight Japan Series championships (1990, 1991, 1992) and was named the Japan Series MVP in 1990. He was famous for his dramatic home run trot and his “bow” to the fans, becoming a massive cultural icon in Japan.
When the Florida Marlins debuted in 1993, they needed a legitimate power threat to anchor their inaugural lineup. They looked to Japan and brought Destrade back to the States. Destrade led the 1993 Marlins in home runs (20) and RBIs (87). He was the cleanup hitter for the first game in franchise history.
Like many players moving between NPB and MLB, he struggled with the transition back to high-velocity MLB pitching and the travel schedule. After a drop in production in 1994, he returned to Japan to finish his career with Seibu.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
➡️ See All 1989 Topps Rookie Card Prices
Pricing chart includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
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