Lance Parrish Autographed 1989 Bowman #45 California Angels Card

Add an important first-year California Angels issue to a Lance Parrish autograph collection with this 1989 Bowman #45, personally autographed by the eight-time Major League All-Star and 1984 World Series champion.

The 1989 Bowman #45 captures the beginning of the third major chapter of Parrish's career. After spending two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Parrish joined the California Angels for the 1989 season, becoming the club's primary catcher. His career timeline confirms his tenures with Detroit from 1977-1986, Philadelphia from 1987-1988 and California beginning in 1989.

The card also comes from an important set in hobby history. 1989 marked the return of the Bowman baseball brand, which Topps had not issued as a major baseball card set since 1955. The oversized dimensions used for the 1989 release helped distinguish Bowman immediately from the standard-size Topps, Donruss, Fleer and Score cards of the period.

That larger format also makes the 1989 Bowman particularly attractive as an autographed card. With more surface area than a conventional card, Parrish's signature has additional room and gives the finished piece a noticeably different appearance from his other 1989 issues.

Parrish immediately took over as California's starting catcher in 1989, appearing in 124 games with 103 hits, 12 doubles, 17 home runs and 50 RBI. He caught 122 games and made 118 starts behind the plate, demonstrating that he remained a durable everyday catcher well into his 30s.

The Angels enjoyed an excellent season as well. California finished 91-71, giving the club one of the better records in the American League. Parrish joined a talented lineup featuring Wally Joyner, Chili Davis, Brian Downing, Devon White and Johnny Ray.

His move to California ultimately revitalized his career. Parrish followed his 1989 season with an outstanding 1990 campaign, batting .268 with 24 home runs and 70 RBI. That performance earned him another American League All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award.

Parrish remained with the Angels into 1992 before continuing his career with Seattle, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Toronto. He retired after the 1995 season with 324 career home runs and 1,070 RBI, along with eight All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves and a World Series championship.

Card Details:

• Player: Lance Parrish
• Team: California Angels
• Year: 1989
• Manufacturer: Bowman
• Set: Bowman
• Card Number: #45
• First-year California Angels issue
• From the return of the Bowman baseball brand in 1989
• Distinctive oversized Bowman format
• Parrish became California's primary catcher in 1989
• 17 home runs and 50 RBI in his first Angels season
• Helped California to a 91-71 record
• Eight-time MLB All-Star
• Three-time Gold Glove Award winner
• Multiple-time Silver Slugger Award winner
• 1984 World Series Champion
• 324 career home runs
• 1,070 career RBI
• Personally autographed
• Condition: NM-MT or better

Authentication: Signature obtained through a private signing conducted by Under the Radar Sports Promotions and guaranteed to pass any third-party authentication service.

This is a particularly nice Parrish card for the run because it combines his first season with California with the revival of the Bowman brand. An excellent addition for collectors of Lance Parrish autographs, California Angels memorabilia, 1989 Bowman baseball cards, oversized baseball cards, first-year team issues, or comprehensive signed player collections.