More 1973 Alt-Topps

Traded, Rookies and Managers

Filling out the set, here are some rookie cards, traded cards and manager/coaches cards.

On November 27, 1972 the Mets dealt Tommie Agee to the Astros for two minor leaguers.  The Mets GM didn't sugar-coat it, telling the press, "We were dissatisfied with Agee's playing."  Agee looks a little dissatisfied himself.  One day later, Frank Robinson was involved in a seven-player deal that sent him 30 miles Southeast from Chavez Ravine to the big "A" in Aneheim. 

The 1973 NL Rookie of the Year was Gary Matthews Sr. He batted an even .300 and had 58 RBIs.  A couple other notable debuts in 1973 were made by Dave Winfield and Dave Parker.  With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, I included them on this card.

In the AL it was Al Bumbry or as Topps called him on his rookie card, "Alonza".  I also included Jerry Hairston whose father, brother and two sons also played in the MLB. Rounding out the trio is Gorman Thomas who was a first round pick of the Seattle Pilots but didn't make the majors until 1973.

In the early years (through 1956) Topps included both managers and coaches in the regular set.  There have been a few exceptions since, notably Yogi Berra listed as catcher/coach in 1965 and the Cubs failed experiment with the "College of Coaches" in the early 1960s. Bob Kennedy was listed as "Head Coach" of the Cubs in 1964 & 1965. With a wealth of MLB retired stars coaching, I wouldn't mind seeing cards of them included.

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Just as I've done in previous Alt-Topps posts, I'll make as many request as I can. Hopefully, I'll post them in a few weeks. Just post your requests (or even ideas for other subsets, etc) in the comment section.  Thanks.

1985 Donruss Al Bumbry

Since Al Bumbry's All Star season in 1980 his numbers gradually declined. In 1985 at the age of 38 he was signed as a free agent by the NL Champion Padres. Bumbry managed to see action in only 68 games that season and barely hit at the Mendoza line. So after 13 seasons in an Oriole uniform and just one in a Padres uniform, he called it quits.

Once again I chose a Donruss product for my updated card. First, The 1985 set is one of the better looking sets of the era. Second, Donruss still didn't have a traded set. That leaves so many opportunities for a blog like this. Bumbry was featured as an Oriole in all the major sets in 1985 but as a Padre only in 1985 Topps Traded and the '85 Fleer Update.

1975 Topps 1973 Rookies of the Year

1973 marked the last year that Topps release cards in multiple series. Most of the Rookie of the Year candidates were immortalized on cardboard that year. That is no small task as there were 14 different players receiving  ROY votes. (15 if you include Richie Zisk who is included on the Baseball-Reference.com NL ROY list despite apparently receiving no votes?) Of the 14 (or 15) only 4 didn't have a card in 1973. All 11 appeared on cards in the 5th and final series.

In 1974 the Topps baseball wax packs declared "All 660 Cards in One Series". That year only 3 of the 8 ROY candidates would have cards. That trend would continue with only 21 of 46 ROY candidates having cards in their rookie season from 1974-1979. But in 1980 there were 16 different players receiving ROY votes and not a single one of them had a 1980 Topps card.

In 1981 Topps would add a "Traded Series" but it wouldn't be until the 1983 that Topps would fully use the potential of the Traded set to include rookie stars. 10 of the 13 ROY candidates had cards in the 1983 Traded set. 1983 coincidentally (or not) would also be the first year since 1960 that Topps would not have multi-player rookie cards.

1973 Topps Al Bumbry

Al Bumbry stole over 30 bases in both 1971 and 72 and hit .336 and .345 respectively while advancing from A through AAA in Baltimore's farm system. He was a September call-up in 1972. In 1973 he showed his speed as a regular in the Orioles line-up. He led the league in triples and stole 23 bases while hitting .337.