the decline of western civilization began sooner than i had previously thought

just about five years ago, i mentioned seeing this card in 1988 and being frightened by what it meant for the future of stirrups.

at the same time that 1988 topps george hendrick card was released, we also received this fantastic 1988 score bert blyleven card

which celebrated the stirrup such that the new twins logo was fully visible.  and, a year later, we were treated to this 1989 score rookies and traded jerry reuss card

with nicely striped stirrups complementing the white sox uni.

i must have completely blocked out the memory of hendrick's 1984 donruss card

because he was wearing the long pants at least as far back as 1983.  the horror.