From 1982 until his retirement after the 1996 season, Ozzie Smith was the face of the St. Louis Cardinals. During that time, he was named as an All-Star in every season, save for 1993. Ironically, that season he batted .288, which was one of the highest averages of his career. However, Smith's earliest cards feature the defensive standout with the San Diego Padres, his … [Read more...]
Vintage Pack Facts: 1971 Topps Baseball Wax
After boosting its set to 720 cards in 1970, Topps went even bigger the following year. Their 1971 baseball set grew to 752 cards (they'd top it again in '72 with a whopping 787). This week's edition of Vintage Pack Facts courtesy of VintageBreaks.com takes a look at the products released by Topps during that 1971 season, one that ended with Roberto … [Read more...]
Mysterious 1971 Topps Greatest Moments Baseball a Star-Studded Set
Most baseball card sets are full of commons with a selection of star players. But the 1971 Topps Greatest Moments set was the opposite. This short 55-card issue featured primarily big name stars. That, plus an elusiveness that appeals to collectors who like a challenge is what makes it so collectable. Here's a closer look at this unique, oversized set. 1971 Topps … [Read more...]
Eddie Murray’s First Cards Go Beyond Topps Rookie
At the time he hit his 500th home run on September 6, 1996, Eddie Murray was just the 15th player in history to reach the milestone. Murray, though was more than just a power hitter. He won three Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Gloves and collected 3,255 hits in a career that lasted from 1977 to 1997. Eddie Murray rookie cards began appearing in 1978 and unlike most … [Read more...]
Five Thurman Munson Oddball Favorites
In the 1970s, Thurman Munson was a fan favorite and All-Star catcher for the New York Yankees. Unfortunately, his life tragically ended on August 2, 1979. A licensed pilot, Munson was practicing take-offs and landings with a new aircraft near his Ohio home when he crashed short of the runway and a fire broke out. He was only 32. Munson baseball cards are … [Read more...]
Remembering Schmidt’s Titanic Single In 1974
It might have been the highest — and certainly the hardest — hit single in major-league history. In the first inning of a June 10, 1974, game at the Houston Astrodome, Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt stepped into a Claude Osteen fastball and sent it rocketing toward the center field seats. To the 9,487 fans in attendance, the Houston broadcasting team and … [Read more...]
Stargell Sampler: Pops’ Cards Span 3 Decades
Late in his career he was called “Pops,” but during most of his major-league career, Willie Stargell was better known as one of baseball’s big power hitters. He hit 296 of his career 475 home runs during the 1970s and led the National League in homers twice (1971 and 1973). In 1979, the last time the Pirates won the World Series, Stargell was the league’s co-MVP, sharing top … [Read more...]
Ramblings: When Rose Ruled the Hobby
Twenty-five years ago, the first half of the baseball card collecting year was dominated by talk of the Upper Deck Company’s splashy debut with the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card and the 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken with the now famous obscenity written on the bat knob. It was the Ripken card—and the subsequent correction attempts-- that generated the most media attention. … [Read more...]
Sweet Memories Keep The Bird Flying High
Which rookie pitcher had the biggest impact in baseball history? Some people would say Fernando Valenzuela for how he inspired “Fernandomania” and also helped to bring a new group of fans to attend baseball games. Going to a game during his 1981 rookie season was more of an event then it even was a game. While he was a good pitcher for the rest of his career, he never … [Read more...]
Bikes, Flips, Twinkies and Trading: More of Your Childhood Collecting Recollections
Yesterday, we brought you some of the early card collecting memories of our Facebook fans. More than 170 of you have responded the post so today, here are more great stories from folks all over North America. Clint McClain: My favorite memory is the day I got my very first card. I was with my brother and cousin in my grandma's kitchen in the summer of 1979. We … [Read more...]