• Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Write for Sports Collectors Daily
    • Write About Your Sports Collection
    • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
  • Hot on Ebay
    • Most Watched Baseball Cards
      • 50 Hottest Baseball Hobby Boxes
      • Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs
      • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
      • Most Watched Vintage Baseball Card Sets
      • Babe Ruth Cards
      • Hank Aaron Cards
      • Mickey Mantle Cards
      • Willie Mays Cards
      • Nolan Ryan Cards
      • T206 Cards
      • Goudey Cards
      • 1952 Topps Cards
    • Most Watched Basketball
      • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2020-21 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2019-20 NBA Rookie Cards
        • Zion Williamson Rookie Cards
        • Ja Morant Rookie Cards
      • Top Prizm Basketball Auctions
      • Luka Doncic Rookie Cards
      • LeBron James Rookie Cards
      • Michael Jordan Cards
      • Kobe Bryant Cards
      • National Treasures Cards (all sports)
    • Most Watched Football Cards
      • Most Watched Football Rookie Card Auctions
      • Most Watched 2020 NFL Rookie Card Auctions
      • Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards
    • Most Watched Hockey Cards
      • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2019-20 Hockey Rookie Cards
      • Connor McDavid Cards
      • Bobby Orr Cards
    • Most Watched Soccer Cards
    • Most Watched Golf Cards
    • Most Watched Rookie Cards
    • Most Watched PSA 10 Cards
    • Most Watched 1 of 1 Cards
    • Most Watched Memorabilia
    • Most Watched Racing Cards
    • Most Watched Autographs
  • Ending Soon on Ebay
    • Baseball Cards
    • Basketball Cards
    • Football Cards
    • Hockey Cards
    • Golf Cards
    • Vintage Sports Memorabilia
  • Lelands

Sports Collectors Daily

Sports collecting news - Sports cards and sports memorabilia industry news.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, we may receive a commission.  It helps keep us afloat!

  • Sports Memorabilia News
    • Barnebys Sports Auction Highlights
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
      • Shop Talk
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Affordable Vintage Cards, Collectibles
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
    • Hobby Shops Selling, Breaking Online During COVID-19
  • Around The Hobby
    • Editor’s Blog
    • David Cycleback’s Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Popular Stories
  • Sell Your Cards
You are here: Home / Sports Card News / 1977 Burger King Yankees Cards Kicked Off Four-Year Promotion
Baseball Card Exchange

1977 Burger King Yankees Cards Kicked Off Four-Year Promotion

June 8, 2016 By Anson Whaley

Let’s face it – some of the later 1970s Topps baseball card sets aren’t credited for being all that popular from an aesthetics point of view. However, if you’re a 1970s and early 1980s collector and looking for a little bit of a twist, the 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 Topps Burger King baseball card sets might fit the bill.

What are they? In a nutshell, they are baseball cards from those years that were produced by Topps but distributed at retail Burger King locations in select markets. We’ll provide a closer look at these oddities over four separate features and today, we’ll digest the 1977 Burger King Yankees release.

1977 Topps Burger King Yankees Set Overview1977 topps yankees

Founded in 1953, Burger King broke into the baseball card market for the first time 24 years later in 1977. While the popular fast food chain had offered up other promotional items in the past, that year marked the first when the company tried its hand at baseball cards.

While Burger King also distributed some 8″ x 10″ photos of Detroit Tigers players in the Detroit market in 1977, the company’s cards that year were limited to New York Yankees players and only issued for restaurants in New York locations. A total of 22 (then 23 … we’ll get to that in a minute) players were featured with an additional checklist card.  Topps created and printed the cards for the restaurant.

Cellophane-wrapped three-card packs of three 1977 Burger King Yankees cards plus a checklist were distributed at BK stores and according to the Standard Catalog of Vintage Baseball Cards, approximately 170,000 cards of each player were produced.

Design Mirrored Topps

Burger King Yankees 1977 baseball card checklistIf you only glanced at some of the 1977 Burger King cards, you might not know the difference between them and the standard issue 1977 Topps cards. In many instances, Topps used the same images as those in their regular set. The fronts and backs had the same design and were the same 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ standard size as the main issue.

No marking is included to indicate that the cards are a part of a special set designed for Burger King as only the checklist card includes a Burger King logo. The primary distinguishable difference between the standard Topps cards and the Burger King issue is that the card numbers on the backs are different.

RJPlayer Variations

Many of the 1977 Burger King Yankees featured the same image from their regular Topps counterparts and the only differences in some instances are that the images have been slightly cropped. However, several 1977 Topps Burger King cards were variations from the regular Topps editions.

The most popular, perhaps, is that of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. Jackson’s standard Topps card pictured him in an airbrushed Yankees uniform as he hadn’t signed with that team until late 1976 and they apparently didn’t have an updated image of him available before production. The Burger King issue corrects that, featuring Jackson in a much more appealing picture with his new team uniform with a bat. Another card with a key difference? Willie Randolph’s regular Topps card includes the All-Star Rookie Cup logo, noting his inclusion on that honorary team, while his Burger King issue does not.

Jackson and Randolph were two of several players that had modified cards. Others with different poses included Thurman Munson, Don Gullett, Mike Torrez, Bucky Dent, Graig Nettles, Jim Wynn, and Paul Blair – several of whom had come from new teams.

No. 23pin

No, we’re not talking about a special insert card of Michael Jordan. No. 23 refers to a specially-released 23rd card in the 1977 Topps Burger King set featuring Lou Piniella.

Not the biggest name in the set, Piniella is certainly the most interesting subject. Despite a solid 1976 season where he was a key member of the team, batting .281 while appearing in 100 games, the outfielder/designated hitter and future big league manager didn’t make the cut initially. However, with speculation that someone higher up in the organization wanted him to be included, phone calls were placed and Piniella eventually got a card, being added to the set later in the promotion. As a result, not as many Piniella cards were available, thus making his a short print and a desirable find.

Whatever the reason for his lack of inclusion, Burger King made sure to not make the mistake again. The company created two more sets of Yankees cards in 1978 and 1979 and Sweet Lou appears in both.

Value of 1977 Burger King Yankees

Despite being an older food release from nearly 40 years ago, the 1977 Topps Burger King cards are very affordable, although high-grade examples can surprise you.

As you would expect, the short-printed Piniella as well as the Jackson variation are the key cards in the release. Both are relatively easy to find and their cards can be purchased for under $10 from time to time with a little patience.

A third key card, the Munson, generally goes for under $15.

Unopened packs from 1977 are still around but not the easiest to find and certainly are the scarcest of all of the Burger King issues. Why? Likely for two reasons. First, the cards were only released in a single market making their mass availability much more scarce. In addition, you can bet that many collectors opened them in search of the missing Piniella card, which was tougher to find. Unlike other Burger King sets where you can occasionally find even full boxes, unopened packs from the 1977 set are much more difficult to find.

Sets, on the other hand, are easy to secure and those with the Piniella card are often found in the $15 – $30 range.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Facebook Messenger

Related Stories:

1978 burger king topps alan trammell card1978 Burger King Sets Marked Promotion’s Expansion 1980 Burger King Sets Included HOFers, Champs Burger King Yankees 1979 packs1979 Burger King Sets Featured Champion Yanks, Updated Rose 1971 Topps Baseball Was a Dark Ride for Collectors Vintage Set of the Week: 1979 Topps Baseball Editor’s Blog: Recalling the Frenzy of 1979 Topps Test Comics Vintage Pack Break of the Week: 1977 Topps Baseball Wax Rod Carew 1974 Kelloggs1974 Kellogg’s Baseball Set Brought 3D Back Stapled, Stamped and Punched: 1960 Lake to Lake Braves Were Designed to be Traded Topps, Utz Chips Team Up for 2020 Baseball Card Set
Avatar

About Anson Whaley

Anson Whaley is a contributor to Sports Collectors Daily and has been an avid pre-war and vintage card collector for more than 20 years. He manages a pre-war sports card blog and database at www.prewarcards.com . You can email him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter @PreWarCards.

Filed Under: Old Baseball Card Sets, Popular Stories, Sports Card News, Vintage Sports Card News Tagged With: 1970's baseball cards, 1977 Burger King Yankees, 1977 Topps, Burger King cards, food issues, Lou Piniella, regional sets, thurman munson

Our articles may contain affiliate links. When you click one and make a purchase, we receive a commission.  The revenue is what helps keep SC Daily afloat!

What\
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Hockey

Bargain Corner

  • Michael Jordan Cards Under $5
  • Mickey Mantle Cards Under $100
  • Graded T206 Cards Under $75
  • Pre-1980 Graded Baseball Cards $5 and Less
  • Pre-1985 Graded Football Cards $5 and Less
  • Pre-1980 Graded Basketball Cards Under $10
  • Pre-1990 Graded Hockey Cards $5 and Less
  • Complete Sets Under $10 with Free Shipping
  • Baseball Hall of Famers for $5 or Less
  • Football Hall of Famers for $5 or Less
  • Hobby Boxes Under $30
  • Pre-1986 Rookie Cards Under $1

RSS Auction Report

  • Steve Novella Offers PSA Graded Football and Basketball Ending January 26, 2021
  • CertifiedLink: Bid on Rookie Cards: Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Jordan, Gretzky, Mahomes & More! Ends Feb. 8th
  • Kobe Bryant Custom-Built Car on Goldin Auctions Block


Categories

  • Around the Hobby
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • David Cycleback's Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Editor's Blog
  • Hobby Shop Talk
  • National Sports Collectors Convention
  • Popular Stories
  • Rich Klein's Ramblings
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Sports Memorabilia News

Sponsor Links

  • Sports Card Forum
  • Buying Vintage Sports Cards
  • Game Used Jerseys
  • 1952 Topps Baseball
  • Championship Rings For Sale
  • Vintage Basketball Cards
  • NBA Signed Items
  • Signed Sports Memorabilia
  • UFC Memorabilia
  • Autographed Baseballs
  • NASCAR Autographs
  • Vintage Graded Baseball Cards
  • Player Pictures
  • Vintage Football Cards
  • Sports Card Boxes
  • Sports Collectors Store

Pages

  • 100 Hottest 2019-20 NBA Rookie Cards
  • 100 Hottest UFC Trading Cards
  • 100 Most Watched Golf Trading Cards on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Graded Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Wrestling Trading Cards on eBay
  • 20 Hottest Barry Sanders Football Cards
  • 2016 Cubs Replica Championship Rings Don’t Cost a Fortune
  • 2017 Topps Definitive Collection Box Breaks, Most Watched
  • 2019 Toronto Raptors NBA Championship Memorabilia Guide
  • 2019 US Women’s World Cup Apparel, Merchandise, Memorabilia Guide
  • 50 Hottest Baseball Hobby Boxes at Auction on eBay
  • 50 Hottest Kareem Hunt Rookie Cards
  • 50 Most Watched Kevin Durant Auctions on eBay
  • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
  • 8 Types of Kobe Bryant Collectibles to Remember Him By
  • Aaron Judge Game Used Memorabilia Inventory Growing
  • About Us/Contact/Advertise
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
  • Affordable Vintage Sports Cards and Collectibles
  • Barnebys Sports Memorabilia Auctions
  • Baseball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Basketball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Best Derek Jeter Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Best Display Cabinets for Sports Memorabilia
  • Best Joey Votto Rookie Cards
  • Best Pascal Siakam Rookie Cards
  • Chiefs Super Bowl Champs Memorabilia Hits the Market
  • Current Most Watched Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Dale Murphy Rookie Card Remains Popular, Affordable
  • Eagles Super Bowl Champions Memorabilia Guide
  • Fanatics Under Wraps 2017 Next Level Edition Autographed Baseballs
  • Football Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Frank Gore Rookie Cards Get No Respect
  • Gardner Minshew Rookie Cards Heat Up as Fun-Loving Rookie Shows His Ability
  • Great Gifts for Cubs Fans
  • Guide to 2018-19 Clemson Tigers National Championship Memorabilia
  • Guide to Houston Astros Championship Memorabilia
  • Guide to LSU National Championship Merchandise, Memorabilia
  • Guide to Nationals World Series Champs Memorabilia, Merchandise
  • Guide to St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Champions Merchandise, Memorabilia
  • Guide to Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Memorabilia
  • Hank Aaron Cards on eBay
  • Henrik Lundqvist Rookie Cards a Strong Long-Term Play
  • Hockey Card Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Hottest 2019 Baseball Rookie Cards
  • Hottest 2019 NFL Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Chicago Bulls Memorabilia Auctions on eBay
  • Hottest Devin Booker Rookie Cards as Suns Star Piles Up Points
  • Hottest Kyle Lewis Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Lonzo Ball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Panini National Treasures Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Panini World Cup Stickers on eBay
  • Hottest Pokémon Card Auctions on eBay
  • Hottest PSA 10 Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Hottest Topps Living Set Auctions on eBay
  • Hottest Topps NOW Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Xander Bogaerts Rookie Cards
  • LeBron James Lakers Jerseys Already Available
  • Links
  • Mickey Mantle Cards on eBay
  • Most Popular Bobbleheads on eBay
  • Most Popular Mark McGwire Rookie Card Auctions on eBay
  • Most Watched 1/1 Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Basketball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Complete Baseball Card Sets at Auction on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Rookie Card Auctions
  • Most Watched Goudey Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Hockey Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Kobe Bryant Basketball Card Auctions on eBay
  • Most Watched Racing Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Soccer Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Autographs on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Jerseys on eBay
  • Most Watched Topps Project 2020 Auctions on eBay
  • Most Watched Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
  • Most Watched Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay
  • Nick Bosa Rookie Cards Getting Collectors’ Attention
  • Patriots Super Bowl 51 Champions Merchandise
  • Ryne Sandberg Rookie Cards, Minor League Issues Still Collector Favorites
  • Selling Sports Cards on eBay for Cash
  • Sports Memorabilia Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Test
  • The 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Kris Bryant Auto Saga: A Timeline
  • Tony Gwynn Rookie Cards Recall “The Best Hitter Since Ted”
  • Top 100 Most Watched Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Card Auctions
  • Top Authenticated Vintage Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
  • Top Selling Patriots Super Bowl Championship Items
  • Upper Deck Authenticated Autographs Remain Popular, Accessible
  • Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay Ending Soon
  • Wade Boggs Rookie Cards Still a Collector Favorite
  • What’s Hot on eBay
  • What’s It Worth
  • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
  • Where to Buy the Anthony Fauci Topps Baseball Card
  • Write About Your Sports Collection
  • Write for Sports Collectors Daily

Copyright © 2021 SportsCollectorsDaily.com | Genesis Web Design by Wickam Group