In 1973, Kellogg’s abandoned its traditional three-dimensional look on its baseball card sets, which initially spanned from 1970 to 1983. The company must have gotten the memo that collectors missed the popular lenticular-style look as they returned in time for the 1974 Kellogg’s set, which was available via a mail-in offer. The two-dimensional cards distributed by Kellogg’s in 1973 would not return again in that 1970-1983 run.
1974 Kellogg’s Basics
As was the case in previous sets, the 1974 Kellogg’s set maintained its standard 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ size. While the design was different, the elements on the front remained relatively the same from 1973 in that they included a player image, replica signature, and the player’s last name at the bottom in a banner.
A slight addition was the inclusion of the player’s position at the top and the “3-D Super Stars” label, which returned for the first time since the 1971 issue. The design included a ‘double’ blue and white border. Backs were printed in blue ink. They again contained statistical and biographical information with a small player image, team logo, and Major League Baseball logo.
In conclusion, for the third consecutive year, the company relied on a 54-card set featuring current players around the league.
Variations In the 1974 Kellogg’s Set
Three catalogued variations exist in the 1974 Kellogg’s release. Card No. 7 featuring Ron Santo includes both Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox variations. Santo didn’t want to leave the area and vetoed a trade to the California Angels in 1973.
The Cubs traded him in late 1973 to the crosstown White Sox and he accepted that deal since it allowed him to remain in Chicago. As a result, Kellogg’s also produced a card of him with his new team. The image on the front remained the same, depicting Santo in a Cubs uniform. However, the back has a small mention of his trade to the White Sox as well a a White Sox logo. The card with a Cubs logo is more scarce than the corrected White Sox edition. PSA’s pop report shows nearly three times the amount of graded White Sox versions compared to the Cubs issue.
Two other variations wer
e included and related to statistical changes on the backs of cards. The first was related to Buddy Bell‘s card No. 10 where Kellogg’s changed his total career run count from 134 to 135. The final variation was with Wilbur Wood‘s No. 34 card. The pitcher was credited with both 959 and 960 strikeouts. As was the case with Santo’s corrected White Sox card, the corrected variations of both Bell and Wood are more plentiful as well, probably due to increased printing of those.
1974 Kellogg’s Stars
1974 brought about more of the same in terms of lineup. The entire checklist doesn’t consist of stars, but the set is again headlined by some of the biggest names in baseball. Leading the way for a second straight year was Nolan Ryan, who was generating headlines for his no-hitters and huge strikeout totals with the Angels.
Other big names found in the set include Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Bob Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Jim Palmer, Orlando Cepeda, Billy Williams, Willie Stargell, Joe Morgan, Rod Carew, Catfish Hunter, Tom Seaver, and many others.
Who’s not there? Dave Winfield and Dave Parker, featured rookie cards in the 1974 Topps set, were left out. Also conspicuous by his absence is the legendary Hank Aaron who, oddly enough, never appeared o
n a vintage Kellogg’s card during his playing days.
One interesting thing in terms of the players included was the return of Bench to the lineup. The Hall of Fame catcher appeared in the 1970 set, but was left out in 1971, 1972, and 1973 releases. His return to the set was a nice touch for collectors.
1974 Kellogg’s Prices
As with most Kellogg’s cards, prices remain low with many singles in the $1-$2 range. Stars can cost around $5 with high-grade Ryan and Rose cards still readily available for $20-$40, even in high grade.
Complete sets have ticked upward in value recently but a few can be found here for $75 and up, depending on condition.
1974 Kellogg’s Checklist
1 Bob Gibson
2 Rick Monday
3 Joe Coleman
4 Bert Campaneris
5 Carlton Fisk
6 Jim Palmer
7 Ron Santo
8 Nolan Ryan
9 Greg Luzinski
10 Buddy Bell
11 Bob Watson
12 Bill Singer
13 Dave May
14 Jim Brewer
15 Manny Sanguillen
16 Jeff Burroughs
17 Amos Otis
18 Ed Goodson
19 Nate Colbert
20 Reggie Jackson
21 Ted Simmons
22 Bobby Murcer
23 Willie Horton
24 Orlando Cepeda
25 Ron Hunt
26 Wayne Twitchell
27 Ron Fairly
28 Johnny Bench
29 John Mayberry
30 Rod Carew
31 Ken Holtzman
32 Billy Williams
33 Dick Allen
34 Wilbur Wood
35 Danny Thompson
36 Joe Morgan
37 Willie Stargell
38 Pete Rose
39 Bobby Bonds
40 Chris Speier
41 Sparky Lyle
42 Cookie Rojas
43 Tommy Davis
44 Catfish Hunter
45 Willie Davis
46 Bert Blyleven
47 Pat Kelly
48 Ken Singleton
49 Manny Mota
50 Dave Johnson
51 Sal Bando
52 Tom Seaver
53 Felix Millan
54 Ron Blomberg
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1973 Kellogg’s Set Broke With Tradition
1975 Kellogg’s Set Featured Smaller Cards But Larger Set
1971 Kellogg’s Baseball Cards Were a Breakfast Bonus
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1978 Burger King Sets Marked Promotion’s Expansion
1972 Kellogg’s Sets Offered Collectors Best Of Current And Former Players
1977 Kellogg’s Set Highlighted By New Players, Design Changes
1983 Kellogg’s Set Was The Company’s Final ‘Vintage’ Issue
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