Saturday, May 1, 2021

Topps All-Star Misses: 1968 AL Outfield

 My latest project is making All Star Cards That Never Year for the years 1958-62 and 1968-70.  During those years Topps decision making on these cards was haphazard and a mystery to everybody but Topps. They were NOT based on the current season's "Sporting News All Stars" nor the previous season's ASG starters.  So I've made additional cards based on this criteria.   

What started as an idea for a small project, ballooned to over 150 cards so I'll be posting these in small doses.  I'll be breaking it down by year, league (NL or AL), and positions (battery, infield and outfield).

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Ken Harrelson
  • 1968 "Sporting News" All Star
  • 1968 MLB ASG reserve
  • Led AL in RBIs 1968
  • 3rd in AL MVP voting 1968
Frank Howard
  • 1968 "Sporting News" All Star
  • 1968 MLB ASG starter
  • Led AL in HRs, Slugging and Total Bases 1968
  • 8th in AL MVP voting 1968
Willie Horton
  • 1968 "Sporting News" All Star
  • 1968 MLB ASG starter
  • 4th in AL MVP voting 1968
  • Had career highs in HRs and Slugging % in 1968
Tony Conigliaro
  • 1967 MLB ASG starter
  • Did not play 1968 season because of injuries

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1968 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Frank Robinson:

Although a reserve All Star in 1967, injuries in late 1967 and 1968 caused him to have career lows in most batting categories in 1968.  He was neither a 1967 ASG starter nor named to the 1968 Sporting News All Star team.  Fortunately the Hall of Famer returned to form in 1969.






3 comments:

  1. Excellent cards. Nice to see when the MLB ASG starter and TSN all-star pick line up together as in the case of Howard and Horton. I remember that Frank Robinson and Al Kaline were voted as starters for the MLB ASG, but were replaced by Tony Conigliaro and Tony Oliva due to injuries.

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    Replies
    1. The comment about Frank Robinson and Al Kaline is in reference to the 1967 All-Star game.

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  2. Are you making real cards of these. Would love a Harrelson and Tony C

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