What are some of your favorite cards that would be museum wall worthy?
A couple of 1976 Topps baseball cards were mentioned, so I headed over to COMC and started browsing their images.
I have always been a fan of this set's design, because of the bright colors and the little positional figure in the lower left corner. But I was truly surprised by some of the action shots in the set. In fact... the set was so impressive, I headed over to eBay to see what complete sets sold for.
I have always been a fan of this set's design, because of the bright colors and the little positional figure in the lower left corner. But I was truly surprised by some of the action shots in the set. In fact... the set was so impressive, I headed over to eBay to see what complete sets sold for.
I estimated that they would be around $150 to $200 and was surprised to see a few sets sell for under $100. This definitely caught my attention and eventually I found a pair worth bidding on. I ended up winning the complete 660 card set + 43 card traded set for $115.28 + $13 shipping. Talk about cutting things close... my maximum bid was $117.
Tonight... I'll countdown my five favorite. But before I begin, let me preface things by stating that this was not an easy task. I primarily based my picks on Topps' photo selection, but also took into consideration the player and team. It took me about an hour to flip through the set and make my selections.
Then I had the task of ranking them. It honestly felt like the weekly rankings in baseball, because certain cards went up or down depending on that particular moment's mood. And with this particular set, nobody stands out so much that they'll be on top forever.
With that being said... let's start off with my honorable mentions:
Then I had the task of ranking them. It honestly felt like the weekly rankings in baseball, because certain cards went up or down depending on that particular moment's mood. And with this particular set, nobody stands out so much that they'll be on top forever.
With that being said... let's start off with my honorable mentions:
I spent a solid 90 seconds staring at the Bench and the #5 card on my list. Johnny's card is definitely iconic with the stare and the dust... but I got a little sentimental with my selection.
#5: Jim Palmer
1976 Topps #450
Palmer was one of my favorite pitchers when I was a kid and I felt too guilty leaving this card out of my Top 5. I just wish they would have centered the photo better, so his right foot wasn't cropped out.
#4 Dave Concepcion
1976 Topps #48
Conception wasn't really known for his power... but is there any doubt in your mind that he launched one in this photo?
#3: Sal Bando
1976 Topps #90
If you ask me to rank these guys tomorrow... I might just put this card on top. There aren't a lot of fielding action shots in the set... and only the Bench and this card are museum worthy in my mind. Unfortunately, Bench didn't play for the Oakland A's and Sal Bando did.
#2: Fred Lynn
1976 Topps #50
I can only imagine how popular this card was back in 1976. Just prior to the release of this card, Lynn became the first player in MLB history to win both the AL MVP Award and the AL ROY Award in the same year. Add the beautiful action shot and the Topps Rookie Cup and you have damn near perfection.
#1: Dave Parker
1976 Topps #185
Now this is what a baseball card should look like. Whoever photographed this card timed it perfectly. If I were a Pirates fan, I'd have this card blown up and framed in my garage.
Well... that's a wrap.
Well... that's a wrap.
What'd ya think about my list and what are some of your favorite 1976 Topps baseball cards?
18 comments:
Without a doubt, my favorite is the Kurt Bevacqua bubble gum blowing card. I also like the All Time Greats subset as well.
As far as regular cards go, I have always preferred the Pete Rose close up shot with the flip up glasses. The Bench is probably the best action shot though.
Bench beats all. It's possibly the greatest card of the '70s. (Hey, I think that's a countdown I've got to do).
Congrats on the '76 set. It's a great one and the second set I ever collected.
All of the cards you listed are worthy candidates... Off the top of my head, I like the Reggie Jackson, Carl Yastrzemski, Luis Tiant and the Bazooka/Bevaqua card.
1976 is among my top all-time sets, but I'll admit that it's partially because it the third set I'd ever collected. I recently figured out that the set I completed 30+ years ago is actually short 4 commons. Rather than getting upset about it, I've decided to think of it as "Yay! I get to chase 1976 cards again!"
Bench (a classic card), Ryan (great portrait) Munson (it really captures him) Brooks Robinson (fun, different than usual pose) and then Yaz or Bob Watson.
There were some amazing close up shots like Pete Rose, Hal McRae and Lou Pinella. I like Steve Ontiveros rounding third with Mike Schmidt in the background. Brooks Robinson smiling while dealing with the glare of the sun is good. Kurt Bevacqua's Bubble and Johnny Bench are as iconic as Willie Horton is large. Rich Hebner, Nolan Ryan and Rod Carew are also clear in my memory. There was a highlight card with Tom Seaver staring down a batter in the foreground which is unlike any other Seaver card I can remember.
But without question, the most memorable, iconic card from the 1976 set is one of the traded cards, Number 74T - Oscar Gamble. The most spectacular afro known to man. One that simply could not be contained.
Love the cards! Great photos and love the little corner man symbolizing the player position.
Tito Fuentes. #8, Name on Hand. This card started my Tito Fuentes Super Collection.
Name on Hat!
That's interesting as the same design was used in the 1977 Topps English soccer set. I love the full body action shots, especially the goalkeepers !
Love the Bevacqua card. I wrote a post about it last year. As for the All-Time Greats... they're cool too. I might write about them in a future post.
Can't wait to see your countdown. Btw... thanks for getting me to check out the 76T set with your Bench suggestion.
Great attitude. Best of luck on tracking down those final four cards. I have a few singles. If condition isn't an issue, let me know which ones you need and I'll check to see if I have any of them.
Wait... what about #568... Mr. Rob Andrews?
I was wondering when someone was going to mention the Oscar card. That afro is spectacular. Okay... I'm off to check out this Seaver card you mentioned.
Lol... somehow I missed that card. Or should I say, I missed seeing his name on his hat. Tito sort of looks like Mr. Gwynn.
Thanks. It's definitely one of my favorite designs from the 70's.
Yeah... I noticed that a few months ago on somebody's blog. That's a great looking set too.
LOL... Not good looking enough for my taste
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