It was the last year in which finishing at the top of the standings in your league meant an automatic berth in the World Series. It was the year in which Nolan Ryan and Johnny Bench made their baseball card debuts and a year in which the American League batting champ barely hit .300. In 1968, baseball card packs were still a nickel, and while you won't find even … [Read more...]
Baseball Cards of 30-Game Winners Since 1917
In the 19th century pitchers posting a 30-win season was commonplace, with many winning 40, and a select few even won 50 games in a season. In the Deadball Era the game changed and fewer pitchers reached 30 wins, but it still happened. Since 1917 only five pitchers have won 30 games in a season, and no one has done so since 1968. It is a milestone that is likely not to be … [Read more...]
Jersey from ‘Grooved’ Mantle Homer No. 535 Fetching Big Bucks
Denny McLain’s earned run average in 1968 was 1.96. It might have been just a little lower if he hadn’t voluntarily surrendered a late-season home run to Mickey Mantle. The story behind the gesture to an aging slugger by baseball’s last 30-game winner is playing out in an auction that could result in a record price for a Mickey Mantle jersey. The road grey … [Read more...]
Dealers: Atlantic City Show Supports Strong Vintage Card Market
ATLANTIC CITY - The five-day lovefest between collectors and sports cards is over for another year. Vendors at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention were tallying up their sales or doing some last minute business with other dealers. Some had opted to skip the final day entirely. Still others were starting the process of packing up countless glass cases, cards, … [Read more...]
1970 Topps Baseball Wax Box Variations
The following is an excerpt from the upcoming e-book "The Ultimate Collector's Guide to 1970 Baseball Cards", set for release later this month via Sports Collectors Daily. The downloadable book includes information on the cards, the sets, the packs, the boxes, the sidebar sets, the test issues, the OPC set and more. There are three different types of 1970 Topps wax boxes. … [Read more...]
1970 Topps Baseball: Of Miracle Mets, Price Increases and Multiple Inserts
In many ways the 1970 Topps Baseball card set was both a fun one and a historically significant one. In July 1969, the miracle of man first landing on the moon grabbed worldwide headlines. Only a few short months later another miracle occurred as the Mets shocked the world and won the World Series. This latter “miracle” was commemorated in the 1970 baseball set as card #1, … [Read more...]
Lolich Still Making Fans Happy
It's been almost 43 years but 1968 seems like yesterday for fans of the Detroit Tigers. In the midst of civil unrest, an escalating war in Vietnam and tough times in their hometown, the Tigers turned an entire state on its collective ear. Denny McLain won 31 games but Mickey Lolich was no slouch either. In fact, it was his pitching that helped the Tigers to the 1968 World … [Read more...]