Lance Parrish Autographed 1992 Triple Play #234 California Angels Card

This is one of the more unusual Lance Parrish cards from 1992. The 1992 Triple Play #234 belongs to the set's Little Hotshots subset, which featured established Major League players in photographs from their childhood rather than the contemporary baseball imagery normally found on their cards. Parrish is officially cataloged as #234 Little Hotshots with the California Angels.

The Little Hotshots concept was perfectly suited to the personality of the inaugural Triple Play set. Donruss designed the 264-card 1992 Triple Play release specifically with younger collectors in mind, using bright borders, player quotes, fun facts and lighthearted subsets. Beckett specifically identifies Little Hotshots as cards picturing players when they were kids.

That makes this card substantially different from Parrish's regular 1992 Triple Play #169 California Angels card. Rather than simply being another variation of #169, #234 is a completely separate Parrish card with its own number, photograph and Little Hotshots designation. Baseball Almanac's Parrish checklist recognizes both #169 and #234 Little Hotshots as separate 1992 Triple Play issues.

The subset also provides an interesting contrast between the young Parrish pictured on the card and the career he eventually built. Parrish developed into one of baseball's premier power-hitting catchers, earning eight All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves and six Silver Slugger Awards while helping the Detroit Tigers win the 1984 World Series.

By the time this card was issued, Parrish was nearing the end of his California Angels tenure. He had joined the Angels in 1989 following two seasons with Philadelphia, and his California years included his excellent 1990 All-Star and Silver Slugger season. He began 1992 with California before continuing his career with the Seattle Mariners.

For the Parrish run, I like this one considerably more than the regular Triple Play #169. It isn't necessarily a scarce cardthe unsigned card remains inexpensivebut the childhood photograph gives an autographed example much more personality. Recent unsigned sales have generally been around $1-$1.50, while an autographed example has also surfaced in the marketplace, confirming there is collector interest in getting this unusual issue signed.

Card Details:

• Player: Lance Parrish
• Team: California Angels
• Year: 1992
• Manufacturer: Donruss
• Set: Triple Play
• Subset: Little Hotshots
• Card Number: #234
• Features a childhood photograph of Lance Parrish
• Separate card from his regular 1992 Triple Play #169
• From the inaugural year of Triple Play baseball
• Part of the colorful, youth-oriented 264-card Triple Play set
• Eight-time MLB All-Star
• Three-time Gold Glove Award winner
• Six-time Silver Slugger Award winner
• Starting catcher for the 1984 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers
• 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.

The childhood photograph is what really makes this card. In a collection containing dozens of traditional Parrish action and portrait cards, the Little Hotshots #234 immediately looks different, making it an excellent addition for collectors of Lance Parrish autographs, California Angels memorabilia, childhood-photo cards, 1992 Triple Play, oddball subsets, or comprehensive signed player collections.