More 1964 Alt-Topps

Managers, Team Cards and Rookies

What set would be complete without the basic staples? Managers, team cards and rookie cards.

The manager cards in the actual 1964 Topps set were pretty much the same as the base cards.  In my "Bizzaro Universe" set, too. 

For the team cards I kept the basic card design continuity along with the full color team logo.

 In the real 1964 Topps set, the picture for the A's showed a team still in the 1961 uniforms. In the early 60's the A's changes uniforms more than most teams changed underwear. The uniforms shown on this card were introduced in 1964. 

The other strange difference in these cards is the sheer volume of players. The Braves must've taken the picture at the beginning of spring training. The A's looked like they waited until they were down to a 25 man roster.

For the rookie cards I went 3 across and broke it down to position and league. This is something that I don't think Topps ever did. I've seen them break it down by league, team, or position. To my best recollection, I don't remember Topps going in this direction. They only had multiplayer rookie cards since 1962. In 62 they were broken down by position. In 1963 they were simply labeled "Rookie Stars", not broken down by league, team nor position. So it's not too far fetched that this would be the format they could've opted for,

Of course with 20/20 hindsight, I stacked the deck with the Rookies of the Year for 1964, Dick Allen and Tony Oliva.  I also doubled up on rookie Hortons in the AL. In the NL included Don Kessinger and HOFer Tony Perez.

1973 Topps All Star Cards : The Managers

Managing his first All Star game since 1961, Danny Murtaugh remained undefeated. Interestingly, all 3 games he managed were tied up at the end of regulation. In the 1st All Star game of 1961 he led the NL to a 5-4 victory in 10 innings. In the 2nd All Star game of 1961 the teams were knotted at 1 run after 9 inning when the game was called for rain. It was the only All Star game to end in a tie until Bud Selig called off the 2002 All Star game after 11 innings. The 1972 game went into the 10th inning before the NL broke the 3-3 tie with a walk off single by Joe Morgan.

Appearing as manager in his 3rd consecutive All Star game, Earl Weaver fought the good fight. In an era in which the NL has dominated All Star play, Weaver was no push-over. From 1963-1982 the AL had only won 1 game. That was in 1971 with Weaver at the helm. Book-ending that victory, Weaver's AL All Stars took the NL to extra inning in 1970 and 1972 before ultimately falling.