The 1970 All Star game was one for the ages. It featured 19 Hall of Famers (21 if you count AL Manager Earl Weaver and NL Coach Leo Durocher). It went 12 innings and ended on Pete Rose's epic (and controversial) collision with Ray Fosse. Around the All Star break last season I created this card to commemorate game:
Topps not only didn't have a card in its 1971 set to commemorate the 1970 All Star game, It also didn't have All Star cards. So just as I did for the earlier years that Topps omitted the All Star cards from their set, I just have to create my own:
1971 Topps Hank Aaron All-Star
1970 was a mediocre year for Hank Aaron. He had 1 homer above his career average, had 5 RBIs more than his average, but batted 7 points below his career average. In MVP voting he came in 17th place which was his worst showing since his rookie season. But a mediocre year for Aaron would be a career year for most Major Leaguers. Which is why he was selected to his 20th consecutive All Star game in 1970.
1971 Topps Willie Mays All-Star
Another fan favorite, appearing in his 21st consecutive All Star game, was Willie Mays. Although he was a .307 lifetime hitter in All Star play, Mays would go 0 for 3 with a strike out and 2 foul-outs.
1971 Topps Rico Carty All-Star
Rico Carty hit a league leading .366 in 1970. The next closest was Joe Torre with .325. Carty made his only All Star appearance that year. In 2 plate appearances, he drew a walk and grounded out.
