Rookies, Team Cards and Managers
Love them or hate them, here they come. First is the multi-player Rookie Stars card. For the rookie card I let the photos take a backseat to the design and went with a 1963 rookie card feel. I know people dislike the multi-player design because for every card with a "Steve Carlton" you get a "Fritz Ackley". But with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, these are loaded.
The AL card has the top two Rookie of the Year nominees, Blefary and Lopez. It also has 1966 ROY Tommie Agee and Skip Lockwood. Lockwood came up as a 3rd baseman. He batted .121 in 33 at bats in 1965. He went back to the drawing board and was reborn as a pitcher. He pitched for 12 years in the majors from 1969-1980.
The AL card has the top two Rookie of the Year nominees, Blefary and Lopez. It also has 1966 ROY Tommie Agee and Skip Lockwood. Lockwood came up as a 3rd baseman. He batted .121 in 33 at bats in 1965. He went back to the drawing board and was reborn as a pitcher. He pitched for 12 years in the majors from 1969-1980.
Once again in the NL, I have the players with the most ROY votes. Lefebvre, Morgan and Linzy. The fourth was future Hall of Famer, Fergie Jenkins. In 1965, Houston was transitioning from .45s to Astros. During spring training they had several cap logos. This shot of Morgan has the plain embroidered star. There also were a couple variations with just an 'H' and a few sewn-on-patch variations before the final version.
The team cards are about as basic as they get. I used the same script and a simple white border.
The Manager cards are the same as the regular issue cards. I went with a pair of teams that will surely upset Yankee fans.
*********************************************
I got a lot of good requests for this set so far. Some of them are a bit challenging, but keep them coming.
This design translates well into the specialty cards, thanks to your nice efforts. I am personally not a fan of multi-player cards, but these look good, especially compared to the actual cards you mimicked.
ReplyDeleteAs a Mets fan, I would certainly dig a rookie card that has both Tommie Agee and Skip Lockwood!
ReplyDeleteLove 'em!
ReplyDeleteThe card of Casey Stengel is classic!
ReplyDeleteLove that Herman Card
ReplyDeleteGot to agree with KoolKards that this is an excellent multiplayer set up - normally 3, I believe, should be the max. However, your design plus excellent photo choices puts these over the top. Next, the Cincy team card looks great, and I just got to love this shot of the "old professor" instructing. "Buzz" Bryant.
ReplyDeleteI guess 1965 just won't let me go! You said keep em' coming so here I go. I actually have the chutzpah or temerity to advance 3 more candidates for your consideration, even though I've already asked for 2 others! Well if you don't take me up on this, you're more than forgiven. This blog just gives me an opportunity to "editorialize", about these players (especially 2 of them). All 3 had substantial reputations, though none could be labelled super stars as such. All 3, like Spahn-e got the BHNH treatment from Topps. First and foremost #280, Dick " I was born to swat" Stuart / AKA Dr. "Strangeglove." After blasting 75 homers (in just 2 seasons) and driving in God knows how many runs in the "Hub of the Universe" big Stu was shipped off to "the city of brotherly love". Actually this was a perfect destination for him when one considers that the design of the Phillies' uniform featured i's that were dotted with stars - just the way Dick would sign his autographs (only Dick would usually make an extra big star to match the larger than life type of guy that he was). I guess the Phillies GM made this acquisition, along with that of Bo Belinsky to "reward " Gene Mauch for just missing the flag in 64. Add in the recently arrived Frank (the original) Thomas (happy 90th tomorrow) to the always convivial Dick Allen and one can see where the skipper had quite a crew! Anyway, Topps supplied us with a very obsolete photo of big Stu from his Pirate days. Knowing that he was "one and done" at old Connie Mack it might be "mission impossible" to Phillie-ize" him but anything that you do would only be an improvement. Next up #111, Lee "White Fang" Thomas. An original Angel (class of 61), and one of my favorites from the time I was 10. He put up 2 great years right from the start (All Star in 62!) but slumped badly (along with the whole team) in 63. On D-Day 1964 he was traded to Boston for Lou Clinton. Already showing signs of revival at the time of the trade he pretty much re-found his stroke in Fenway. Next year offensively, at least, he turned in a really good year .270's with 22 bombs. Only the Sox pulled him from the garden and put him on first. Since he was aware now that he was the heir to Stuart he felt obligated to honor the standard and tradition of the previous and promptly went out and led the A.L. (@1st) in errors. Still the trade did cause some consternation locally. My father's receptionist had a big crush on this guy - so maybe it was better for him that he got shipped off to beantown! Further, the trade didn't look real equal for the rest of 64 - but really went south in 65 as Clinton didn't produce even 20% of what Thomas did for the Bosox. While we can cut Topps some slack on the Stuart card (he was an off season trade), they must get demerits for this poor effort on Thomas. I mean they had 4 months during 64 to get a good shot of him for the 65 set and all we got was a "mug shot". Well, maybe Lee just wanted to show off his crew cut. Lastly, no controversies on this one - just the need for an improved card. #376 Jim Landis, a perennial gold glover and a fixture in Comiskey Park for many years all of a sudden found himself in K.C. in the glorious gold and green (or alternatively scarlet and navy). This was of course the result of a massive and complex (3 cornered) trade that facilatated Rocky Colavito's return to Cleveland. Like Stuart, I think we can give Topps a pass on this one, although an improved card would be appreciated. Again like Stu, Landis was one and done with his new outfit so an improved card might be real hard. Jim Landis always impressed me as being just a real class guy and player.
ReplyDeleteJust forgot to sign off (on the above) appropriately - yep it was me- "Buzz" Bryant
ReplyDelete