3/17/2021

2021 Topps Series 1 – Joey Gallo


Collecting baseball cards is fun and brings a lot of memories. This year, it’s getting more interesting since it’s Topps’ 70th anniversary. Opening some packs of Topps series 1 baseball cards is a good way to start the celebration. For me, series 1 is a must-buy product because it’s a flagship product. And, I would like to see whether I could find some top rookies. Unfortunately, I did not find any top rookies that I was looking for. However, a Joey Gallo 1986 Topps insert made me think of one thing. Home Run. Joey Gallo is a home run hitter. He blasted 120 home runs so far in his career; in particular, he crushed at least 40 home runs in 2017 and 2018 each. It’s also interesting to notice that Joey Gallo had 122 singles so far in his career. He does have more extra base hits than singles. However, he only had 10 home runs in the shortened 2020 season and 5 home runs were hit at home, Globe Life Field. Globe Life Field was originally scheduled to open in March 2020. However, because of the covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was delayed and the Rangers hosted the first regular season game on July 24, 2020. In the 2020 season, Rougned Odor had 6 homers at Globe Life Field and he’s currently the leader in home runs at this ballpark. Joey Gallo didn’t have a good season in 2020, he was hitting .181/.301/.378. He had 5 homers at Globe Life Field and his teammate Ronald Guzman had 3 home runs at this ballpark.

Home Runs at Globe Life Field (2020)

Player

HR

Rougned Odor

6

Joey Gallo

5

Ronald Guzman

3


However, things were quite interesting last season since MLB announced the playoff bubble starting with the second round of the playoffs. Globe Life Field and Minute Maid Park shared the 2020 NLDS. The 2020 NLCS and the World Series were played at Globe Life Field. The 2020 World Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers played 16 playoff games at Globe Life Field last year. Corey Seager was really hot last postseason. He won the 2020 NLCS MVP and the World Series MVP. In total, Seager blasted 8 home runs last postseason and 7 home runs were at Globe Life Field, so Seager actually has more homers at Globe Life Field than any Rangers hitter does.


Home Runs at Globe Life Field

(2020 Postseason)

Player

HR

Corey Seager

7

Cody Bellinger

4

Justin Turner

Randy Arozarena

Brandon Lowe

Max Muncy

3


In addition, Cody Bellinger had 4 homers at this ballpark last postseason and his go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the NLCS, which was a game-winning homer, might be the most important home run at Globe Life Field so far. Meanwhile, Justin Turner, Randy Arozarena, Brando Lowe and Max Muncy each crushed 3 homers at this ballpark. We also have to bear in mind that Arozarena and Lowe only played 6 games at this ballpark. Joey Gallo has a pretty good spring so far and he already has 5 homers. He seems to be ready to bounce back after a disappointing 2020. The 2021 season is scheduled to be on time and there are several things worth watching. When will Joey Gallo surpass Odor or Seager to be the home run leader at Globe Life Field? How many home runs will he blast at this ballpark in the 2021 season?

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