Topps 1961 All-Star AL outfield contained Mantle, Maris and Kaline. Mantle an Maris both started in the two 1960 All Star games and were also 1961 Sporting News All Stars. Joining them in the outfield for the 1960 games was the "Cuban Comet" Minnie Minoso. The 3rd 1961 Sporting News All Star outfielder was Rocky Colavito. Therefore both Minnie and Rocky were worthy of cards in this subset.
Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1961 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?
Al Kaline:
Again, the bursting newspaper is not one of my favorite designs, because it looks nothing like the base set and loses its identity. However, your creations are excellent as always and fit in exactly with the set. Agree on Kaline. Great player and one of the real nice guys of the game, but 60 and 61 were not his best years. Hitting .324 in 61 was good, but he got overshadowed by the Mantle/Maris homerun chase and Colavito's great year. Also, I think you are reflecting the 1960 season or the previous seasons with these All-Star cards.
ReplyDeleteI am. Just a reminder, my criteria is that they either are a TSN All Star selection for the current season (1960) or a starter in the previous season's (1960) ASG. Minoso started both 1960 ASGs and Colavito was a TSN All Star selection in 1961.
DeleteAl Kaline didn't even get a "Star number" on his 1961 base card. He was #429. Maybe this made up for it. In all fairness, Bill Mazeroski was #430. I wonder if they switched their numbers after Maz's heroics in the 1960 World Series. (Mazeroski also got an all star card in 1961).
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting. Vern Law was #400 and Harvey Haddix was #100, both pitching stars in the 1960 World Series with 2 wins each, which accounted for all the Pirates victories. You may be on to something.
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