Double Duty/Triple Cards

As many of you know, I write two card-related blogs. In addition to this one, I write a card-by-card excursion through the 1973 Topps set and the sometimes interesting choice of pictures used on the fronts. Called 1973 Topps Photography, bad action shots, airbrushed players and 1970s fashion get their due.

If you're also a regular reader of that blog, thank you. If you're not...then feel free to take a look. I'm still a little less than halfway through the issue and there's plenty more to share.

My post over there today features a multi-player rookie card. Those weren't new in 1973...Topps had included them in every one of their base sets since 1962. In the case of the card shown today, one of the player's wasn't even a true rookie, as he appeared on two other cards before that.

However, in this case, the 1973 card was actually the "normal" one in the group. That is the oddity here.

The player in question is Bob Reynolds. His first card was part of the final series of the 1971 Topps set:  

1971 Topps #661 -- Rookie Pitchers

This card featured three pitchers, all from different teams. Since Topps kept these rookie cards sorted by team (and showing two players, not three) in the earlier series, they were likely trying to wrap up their loose ends late in the production cycle to get the set finished. In those cases, they'd group the players by position and even by league.

In this case, they lumped three players together who all had the same last name.

Reynold's 1972 card was memorable for a different reason:

1972 Topps #161 -- Brewers Rookie Stars

Topps stayed with the three-player format for 1972's multi-player rookie cards, and this one had a fairly noticeable error. The pictures of Darrell Porter and Jerry Bell are switched, so Bob Reynolds is the only player on the card who's properly credited.

For the third multi-player rookie card showing Bob Reynolds, Topps decided he had had enough excitement:

1973 Topps #612 -- Rookie Pitchers

Other than Brent Strom being in an obviously airbrushed uniform...there were no hijinks this time.

Hero Status Awarded

I mentioned this last week in my other blog, but I really need to share this here for the benefit of those who don't follow that blog...

In certain hobby trading groups, a "Hero" is the name given to a trader who sends along the final card needed to complete a set. Recently, another blogger achieved Hero status by sending this card:

It's a 1973 Topps team checklist. They were inserted in wax packs along with the high-numbered series that year. They're more scarce than a similarly-themed red-bordered checklist series from 1974, which were added to the packs throughout the year.

Thanks to Tony of the 1973 Topps Baseball Set Builder blog for sending this over and letting me fill the last hole in my 1973 Topps binder.

Even though I completed my 1973 Topps base set at the Chicago National a few years ago (the final card was Johnny Callison), I still needed several checklist cards. Last year, when I began writing the 1973 Topps Photography blog I still needed a half dozen of them and hoped I could finish that pesky auxiliary set before I ran out of cards to feature. Now, that's no longer a concern.

However, there are collectors who point out that there are still variations that can be picked up: the various manger cards with different backgrounds behind the coaches' photos, some print variations and the variations with the checklist cards themselves. At this time, I have no intention of chasing a "master" set.

But expect a post in the future on 1973 Topps variations.

My 50th Follower...Means a Giveaway!

Last week, this blog reached a milestone. In only nine months, it has picked up 50 followers.

While I am of the impression that this blog should be required reading for everybody, I do realize that many collectors don't always spend a lot of time looking at "old" stuff. There is also the possibility that some just don't have a lot of older material in their collections and therefore don't spend a lot of time looking around at stuff they would be tempted to pick up.

Well, let me see if I can help you out with a giveaway.

In celebration of Follower #50, it's only appropriate that the first prize have something to do with the number 50, and we'll go to the set I blog about three times each week:

This is card #50 from the '73 Topps set.

For those who read my 1973 Topps photography blog, this card was featured there last year. It was the last card Topps made for Roberto Clemente and was included in the first series of the '73 set before the news of his plane crash could get it pulled. As a result, the back of the card shows his final career statistics.

This is one of three cards I'll be giving away. The second one comes from the 1955 Bowman set, which was the subject of this article I wrote in SMR in 2007 (the link brings up a PDF file):

Sadly, George Kell passed away in 2009. However, he lives on in the memories of those who watched him play, listened to his broadcasts and collected his baseball cards.

Finally, this one is not quite what it might seem:

It looks like a 1978 Topps card, but it's actually a 1978 Burger King card of Jim "Catfish" Hunter from the final years of his Hall of Fame career.

That gives three vintage Hall of fame cards to give away. They're not "investor-grade" quality, but they're cards that would do better in a collection than in my dupes box. Just to clarify: there will be three separate giveaways (and three separate winners), not just one.

Unlike last time, there are no restrictions to who can enter. All you need to do is enter a comment below. There will be three separate drawings, all involving a time-honored method involving scissors, paper and a hat. Any bloggers who post about this contest will get an extra entry into the drawing. I'll keep this up until Sunday evening and announce the winners on Monday. Good luck!

Topps Postseason Series: The 70s, Part II

Last time around, I reviewed the Playoff and World Series cards from the 1970-'72 Topps sets. Today, I'll continue the discussion.

When it comes to 1973 Topps, I could go on about the entire set. Actually, I do just that on another blog, three times a week. Now, with that shameless plug out of the way, I'll delve into the postseason sets:

One big difference over previous years was the way Topps just eliminated the honor of placing the previous year's World Series winner on Card #1. However, they did continue the postseason series the same method as in 1972: one card from each League Championship Series, one card from each World Series game and one celebration card. Actually, all three sets featured in today's post have that layout.

The 1972 American League Championship Series was the first that didn't feature the Baltimore Orioles. It was also the first one that didn't end in a sweep.

Card #201 -- Hendrick Scores Winning Run

I posted about this Series in my 1973 blog, if you'd like to read about it (Yep, another shameless plug). The two teams went to the full five games, and Hendrick's winning run sent the A's the the World Series for the first time since they were still playing in Philadelphia.

The National League Championship between the Reds and Pirates (who also met in the NLCS in 1970) was a little more dramatic:

Card #202 -- Foster's Run Decides It

The 1972 NLCS also went five games, and was decided at the very end. Unfortunately for the Pirates, they lost on a wild pitch, which allowed Foster to score the run shown above. Again, here's the link to read what happened.

Since both League Championship Series went the distance, it was only logical to see the 1972 World Series follow suit:

Card #206 -- Tenace Singles in Ninth

The card shows Gene Tenace taking his turn at bat during Game 4. One last time, here's a link to the description on my other blog. The A's won this World Series in 7 games, but they weren't done yet:

The 1974 Topps set continues the story:

Card #470 -- A.L. Playoffs

Reggie Jackson was injured in the '72 postseason. In fact, his injury led to George Hendrick being in the game shown in the '73 card above. However, the injury meant he sat out that World Series. He would prove invaluable this time around, however.

The Baltimore Orioles made it pack to the playoffs after one year away, and the Oakland A's returned as the A.L. West champions. It was a well-fought series, with each team splitting the first two games. An extra-innings affair in Game 3 was broken up when Bert Campaneris hit a walk-off homer in the 11th. When the A's moved in for the kill in Game 4, Andy Etchebarren and the Bobby Grich homered to keep it alive before "Catfich" Hunter pitched a gem in Game 5.

The '71 ALCS rematch had a different result this time.

Card #471 -- N.L. Playoffs

Over in the National League, that series went the distance, too, with the New York Mets (and Jerry Koosman, shown pitching above)taking the series from the Cincinnati Reds. Pete Rose -- not known for the art of the long ball -- hit two homers in the series but was better known for a fracas he and Met shortstop Buddy Harrelson engaged in during Game 3. These Mets were a different team than the 1969 Series winners despite having a few remaining players from that squad. They had been far out of first at midseason that year and heated up to win the division. 

Fun fact: All four managers in the '73 postseason (Earl Williams, Sparky Anderson, Dick Williams, Yogi Berra) are members of the Hall of Fame.

Card #477 -- '73 World Series Game 6

Reggie Jackson is shown on this card against a sea of fans. It's refreshing to see a daytime Series game. Jackson was the A.L. MVP in 1973, but went on to begin earning his nickname "Mr. October" after the season ended. The series went to the seventh game, and it was Reggie who practically sealed things in the deciding game with a 2-run shot in the third.

This was also the last time baseball fans would see Willie Mays take the field. However, the A's weren't yet finished.

Card #459 -- '74 A.L. Championships

Again, for the third time in four years, the Oakland A's were pitted against the Baltimore Orioles. This is the sixth year of the playoff series, and Baltimore was in five of them. The Orioles won the first game decisively, but the A's came back to win the next three.

Card #460 -- '74 N.L. Championships

Meanwhile, over in the National League, another perennial was competing: the Pirates, who were up against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was the Dodgers' first trip to a championship series, but it wasn't their first playoff (you may have heard about a guy named Bobby Thomson in 1951?). The games would include a pair that saw future teammates Jerry Reuss and Don Sutton take the mound. The Dodgers would win and advance to the Series.

Card #461 -- World Series, Game 1

Reggie Jackson is again shown taking his turn at bat on this card. He would hit a solo homer during that first game to start the scoring. On paper, the Dodgers appeared to be the better team; they were cohesive, they had a better record, they had a better skipper. The A's, on the other hand, were fighting each other and somehow winning despite themselves. In the end, the Series was over in five games and the A's would take their third straight title home.

Another Blog

I may be crazy, but I've started another blog.

Since I was planning on showing off cards from my collection here, I was thinking of commenting on some of the cards from the 1973 Topps baseball set whose photos were often terrible. Then, while searching through my binder for examples, I realized I could simply devote an entire blog to the set.

1973 Topps Photography is now live, with 3 cards being featured per week. While this post is likely going to be buried soon under my upcoming posts, I'll have the link kept in the blog list to the left. At the rate of 3-4 each week, I can do the blog for a few years. It'll be fun, check it out. While there are only a couple of cards to be seen there now, here's an example for this blog:

I always liked this Joe Rudi card. It shows a plate celebration after what was likely a Gene Tenace home run. Tenace is flanked by two teammates. That looks like Johnny Oates of the Orioles looking away from the crowd, while an umpire waits to resume play. That makes five people on the card (not counting the crowd) and none of them is Joe Rudi.

On the other hand, this is a nice picture. It shows Crowley heading home and bracing for impact, with Thurman Munson waiting for the throw and the ball shown on the right side of the picture. You know there's about to be a collision, but want to know which player won the showdown.

I've always enjoyed 1973 Topps cards so this should be another great blog.