World Series, All-Stars and Leaders
Oddly, Topps did not have post season cards in the real 1979 set. Fortunately, I make the rules for the Alt-Topps version. After winning games 1 & 2, the Dodgers lost 4 straight to the Yankees.
For the 1979 All-Stars I changed up the base cards just a little. Here is Sweet Lou giving Pudge a closer look at his spikes. I'm sure they laughed it off and had a few drinks together after the game, right?
Vida Blue crossed the bay in 1978 and Earned his 3rd All-Star start. He was the first pitcher to start in both leagues. Since then he's been joined by Clemens, Randy Johnson, Halliday and Scherzer.
In 1978 Ron LeFlore led the leagues in runs and stolen bases. In 1980 he would lead the NL in stolen bases with 97 for the Expos. Rounding out the top 3 are Julio Cruz and Bump Wills. Cruz had a career high 59 and would later play 2B for the 1983 "Winning Ugly" Sox. Bump was, of course, the son of stolen base artist Maury.
J.R. Richard won his first strikeout title in 1978. He repeated that feat in 1979. By 1980 he was out of the game. Tragic story. The other two are future Hall of Famers, Niekro and Seaver.
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As usual, if you want to help me fill out this set, leave your suggestions in the comment section. I'll create a few more cards for this set and post them later this month.
Outstanding work!!!
ReplyDeleteYou just gotta finish of the WS cards. ;)
Thanks for these!
Nice touch having the totals on the fronts of the leader cards.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be fun to create WAR leader cards, even though of course they'd be completely anachronistic.
Agree with Deogolf - Outstanding! Very nice All-Star cards.
ReplyDeleteHere's another 2nd to the motions of Deogolf & Bill White. What classic shots of a Lopes "h. r.", as well as the dust up @ home plate with Lou & "Pudge"! Also got to like the "zoned" look on Knucksie's face on the S.O. leader card. If you do take up the challenge of "D" & "B.W."you"ll have the opportunity to showcase some of Nettles' fielding gems. 1978 what a year - Red Sox, Dodgers, and Yanks all rolling around in it! Maybe in the Alt - Universe there should be a card commemorating that "sudden death" 163rd game - what a heart breaker!!! "Buzz" (Bryant)
ReplyDeleteThe first pitch is comin' down the pike in just a few hours, and I can see that no one else has offered any more comments or "nominations". Well, I guess I'll just have to jump in again - maybe that will spur others! Yes this is what has become "The BUZZ Challenge" - only now it will do a "180" and be the John Hogan Challenge! Well, by 1979 most of my heroes had been "put out to pasture" so it was real hard to think of requests. If a player came up during the GOLDEN AGE(that would be 1961-1965) then that group "stayed with me". If you want to go "over the top" (that is beyond those W.S. cards) then I think I can present 3 worthy candidates. First, Vic Davalillo - what a comeback at age 41 from what seemed eternal oblivion. Sure, Topps turned out a decent card of him in 79, but if you make another one that would compensate for the lousy airbrush job that they gave us in 78. Next, I suggest the underappreci-ated Bobby Murcer. Here's a guy who was handed a real "mission impossible" - follow Mickey Mantle in center field!! He did this(and everything else in life) with real class. Gone too soon at 62 from a brain tumor. Your choice, Cubbie or Yankee or maybe a split screen "then and now" job. Next, Y-A-Z, need one say more? OK, the're a jillion cards of him already, but one more shouldn't hurt as he was entering the "leaning tower of Pisa" phase by then. Last, I thought of "Iron" Mike G. Marshall. He was the only M.I.A. I could think of, but it looks like Mr. Balistreri has already taken care of that one as well as informing us thoroughly as to why it was. I'll sign off by by again going 'all in" with Deogolf and Bill White. Although it failed to go the full 7, the 78 series, just like 77, was awesome. I didn't get the result I wanted, but that just made 81 that much more meaningful! So, if there are time and space limits my last minute requests (here) are just secondary - do the W.S. cards!! Cordially "Buzz" (Bryant)
ReplyDeleteIt has come to my attention that you are taking a few requests. A mystery to me is why Bobby Bonds 1979 card shows him as a Tex Ranger instead of being the Cleveland Indian that he was. Heck, the tribe got him on October 3,'78. That gave Topps a solid 5 months before spring training to do a least a half baked airbrush job. At least they could have labeled the team correctly! Anyway survivors of "the mistake by the lake" will appreciate it if you could get him into the glorious scarlet and navy even if it is 40 years late....just sign me "Chief Nock-a-Homma"
ReplyDelete