Topps All-Star Misses: 1960 NL Infield

I've been a bit behind on my postings, due to trying to put together another pack of physical cards.  Also just work, family, holidays, etc.  Also, for the time being, I'm going to monitor ALL of the comments, as this blog has been getting spam comments lately.  I will try to allow comments quickly so they will show, unedited, while trying to weed out the spam.

The National League All Star infield had a lot of potential cards to add to the 1960 set.  Much of this is due to having 2 ASGs in 1959. That being said, the only position Topps seemed to be in sync with was shortstop.  Ernie Banks was the starter in both 1959 ASGs and was a 1960 Sporting News All Star.

However, at first Topps had Willie McCovey, the 1959 Rookie of the Year, but the future Hall of Famer wouldn't make an All Star appearance until 1963. In the first game of 1959, his teammate, Orlando Cepeda was the starter at first.  

In the second game Stan Musial was the starter at first base.  In 1960 The Sporting News selected one All Star team rather than one from each league and in 1960 the selection was Moose Skowron of the Yankees.

Topps had Dodgers Gold Glove second baseman as their All Star selection.  He was a reserve in the second ASG of 1959 and both 1960 ASGs.  The starter in both 1959 games was the Reds' Johnny Temple. 

The 1960 Sporting News selection was Bill Mazeroski.  He was also the starter at second in both 1960 All Star games.

At third Topps had Eddie Mathews. Mathews was the 1960 Sporting News All Star and started the first All Star game in 1959. The player who started the second game was Ken Boyer.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1960 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Willie McCovey

 Stretch was the Rookie of the Year in 1959, but didn't have a Topps card.  (Here is my version of that missing card).  Perhaps Topps was making up for that by giving him two cards in the 1960 set.  But he wouldn't make an All Star appearance until 1963.  It wasn't until 1965 that he would be a Sporting News All Star selection.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1969 NL Battery

The 1969 Topps NL All Star battery consisted of RHP Bob Gibson, LHP Jerry Koosman and catcher Johnny Bench.  The actual 1968 All Star Game had Drysdale as the NL Starter and Jerry Grote behind the plate.  The first lefty relief pitcher was Steve Carlton. Carlton was also The Sporting News choice for All Star left-handed pitcher in 1969. Both Drysdale and Carlton could have been in this set. 

Tom Seaver was the Sporting News selection for All Star right-handed pitcher in 1969 and his battery-mate Jerry Grote was the 1968 ASG starting catcher.  So these Mets merit inclusion, too.

 

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1969 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Although Gibson never left the bullpen in the '68 ASG, I cannot fault Topps for giving him an All Star card based on his 1968 Cy Young & MVP season. I also (kind of) can't fault Topps for Koosman.  He only face one batter in the 1968 ASG but it was the final batter.  He struck out Yaz and got the save as the NL won 1-0 in the Astrodome. Despite Grote starting the 1968 ASG, Bench was the Sporting News choice for 1969 All Star catcher. Bench was also the 1968 Rookie of the Year and the runner up was Koosman. So despite having 4 other cards that could have been included in the 1969 All Star sub-set, I have to give Topps a pass.

1975 Topps Divisional Playoffs

 These were requested by someone who contacted me through eBay.  He wanted more complete NFL playoff cards from Topps.  I needed to add a few custom football cards to my binder cover anyway (more on that later).  Anyway, here are the divisional playoff from 1974 using a similar format of the 1974 AFC and NFC championship cards in the 1975 set.

Trailing Buffalo 7-3 to start the 2nd quarter, the Steelers scored 26 unanswered points.  Rocky Bleier caught a 27 yard TD pass from Bradshaw. Franco Harris rushed for 3 more TDs to make it 29-7 at the half. Pittsburgh went on to beat the Bills 32-14.

With the game tied 7-7 at the half, the Vikings scored 16 points in 7 minutes. 10 of which were off Cardinals turnovers. In the game Chuck Foreman had 1968 all purpose yards. He rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown and caught 5 passes for 54 yards.

Trailing 26-21 in a back and forth battle. and just 2 minutes left in the game, Ken Stabler mounted another comeback.  Drive the Raiders downfield culminating in a 8 yard TD pass to running back Clarence Davis. Down 28-26 with just 24 seconds left, the Dolphins' Bob Griese threw an interception on the second play of the drive. Phil Villapiano's pick iced Oakland's victory

In the final game of Sonny Jurgensen's Hall of Fame career, it was all about the defense.  There were only 2 offensive TDs and one of those was set up by a forced fumble. In all there were 9 turnovers between the Rams and Washington. The nail in the Redskins coffin was a 4th quarter pick-six by Isiah Robertson to put L.A. up 19-10.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1968 NL Outfield

The 1968 Topps All Star cards for the National League outfield mirrored the 1967 All Star Game starting outfield.  Perennial All Stars Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente were all there.  But the cards themselves say "The Sporting News 68 All Star Selection."  The actual 1968 Sporting News All Star outfielders were Billy Williams, Curt Flood and Pete Rose. 

Topps All-Star Misses: 1970 NL Battery

 In a strange turn of events, Topps had the 1959 American League All Star infield and the 1958 National League outfield correct (by my narrow definition). The 1959 AL infield cards reflected the 1958 ASG starting lineup; Moose Skowron at first, Nellie Fox at second, Luis Aparicio at short and Frank Malzone at third.  The Sporting News All Stars in 1959 were combine AL and NL with only Nellie Fox of the White Sox representing the AL.

Similarly, the Topps 1958 NL Outfield All Stars were a reflection of the 1957 MLB All Star Game starters. Frank Robinson, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron were the 1957 ASG starters and Mays and Aaron were named to The Sporting News All Star team in 1958.  So we skip ahead to the 1970 NL Battery.

In 1970, Topps had Jerry Koosman (LHP), Juan Marichal (RHP) and Johnny Bench (C) on their "Sporting News" All Star Cards. Only Bench was actually named to the 1970 Sporting News All Star team.  He was also the only of the 3 to start in the 1969 ASG.  

The actual 1969 All Star Game starter was Steve Carlton of the St. Louis Cardinals. Carlton followed up his 1969 All Star season, with a league leading 19 losses in 1970.

The first right hand pitcher to make an appearance for the NL in the 1969 ASG was Bob Gibson.  Gibson was also The Sporting News All Star selection for 1970.

Jim Merritt (LHP) was The Sporting News All Star selection in 1970.  He was also the first lefty to pitch in the 1970 ASG following starter Tom Seaver.  He was 4th in Cy Young voting in 1970 and 21st in MVP voting.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1970 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Koosman and Marichal:

Both were reserves in the 1969 MLB All Star Game but only Koosman left the bullpen. Neither were named to The Sporting News All Star team in 1970 and neither were selected for the 1970 MLB All Star team.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1960 NL Battery

The 1960 Topps All Star set were supposedly "Sport Magazine" selections.  Unfortunately, I can't find any list to verify that.  The Sporting News also selects an All Star team.  Their National League battery included Ernie Broglio, Vern Law, Warren Spahn and Del Crandall.  That's one lefty handed pitcher, two right handed and one catcher.  At first I thought that maybe one of those pitchers was a reliever, but all three are starters.  I'm not sure why TSN included 3 pitchers.  Del Crandall was already included in the Topps set, but the three pitchers who were "Sporting News" selections were not.  Therefor this may be a bit of a stretch for this project.  Nonetheless, Here they are:

Contest Winners

 

Congrats to all that left comments.  If you left a comment on my contest post, you won.  "Defgav", "Old Cards", "Deogolf" and "Tookie". That was easy.  Now just send an email to ctnwblog@gmail.com along with your mailing address and I'll get this 1962 Buck O'Neil card in the mail.  

If you also bought a Series 3 pack and have this card already, let me know and I'll substitute one of my previous contest winner cards.  Choose from 1968 Gibson, 1968 Seaver or 1982 Sandberg/Boggs.

The Series 3 packs have been going quickly with more than half of them selling in the first week. But there are still several left. Hit the PayPal link here to order.  I also have individual cards from all 3 series available on eBay.  My seller's name there is "ctnwblog_8".

Quantity

One Pack $10.00 USD Two Packs $19.50 USD Three Packs $28.50 USD

Congratulations to the winners and thanks again for all your support.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1962 NL Infield

 While the Topps 1962 "Sporting News National League All-Star" infield didn't quite match the 1961 MLB All Stars, it was very similar to the actual "Sporting News" All Star selections with one glaring omission.  TSN had Cepeda at 1st, Mazeroski at 2nd, Ken Boyer at 3rd and Maury Wills at short.  Topps had Cepeda, Maz, Boyer and Roy McMillan?? McMillan was last selected to the All Star team in 1957 when Reds fans stuffed the ballot boxes.  The four below represent the actual NL infield in both 1961 ASGs.  Around the horn we have Bill White at 1st, Frank Bolling at 2nd, Wills at short and Eddie Mathews at 3rd.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1962 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Roy McMillan:

McMillan was undoubtably included due to Topps not having Wills under contract. And I suspect it was a big reason for the gap from 1963-1967 when Topps had no All Star cards at all.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1969 NL Outfield

 The 1969 Topps All Star outfield for the National League has some glaring omissions.  Notably Hank Aaron, whose card I had already used on this blog after his passing earlier this year.  I had also included that card in my second "pack" of physical cards.  Based on the simple criteria that the players either be starting All Star from the previous year (1968) or the current year (1969) Sporting News All Star selections, here are four players that could've been included in this subset.

Hank Aaron:

• 1968 MLB All Star game starter.
• 1969 MLB All Star game starter.
• 1969 Sporting News All Star selection.
• 12th in NL MVP voting 1968.
• 3rd in NL MVP voting 1969.
• Led NL in slugging and on-base percentage in 1969.
  

Willie Mays:

• 1968 MLB All Star game starter.
• Gold Glove Outfielder in 1968
• 13th in NL MVP voting 1968.

Cleon Jones:

• 1969 MLB All Star game starter.
• 1969 Sporting News All Star selection.
• 7th in NL MVP voting 1969.

Matty Alou:

• 1968 MLB All Star game reserve.
• 1969 MLB All Star game starter.
• 1969 Sporting News All Star selection.
• 11th in NL MVP voting 1968.
• 23rd in NL MVP voting 1969.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1970 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Lou Brock:

Brock was not even an All Star reserve in 1968 or 1969.  He wasn't on the Sporting News All Star team either year. He was 6th in NL MVP voting in 1968, leading the NL in doubles, triples and of course stolen bases. In '69 he was the stolen base king again.  Without a doubt, he was a popular player and a future Hall of Famer.  But I still wonder why he got a cards while others didn't.

Honorable Mention, Pete Rose:

Another player who wasn't a 1968 Starter nor on the 1969 Sporting News All Star team. At least Rose was a reserve in the 1968 and '69 ASGs.  He was also on the Sporting News AS team in 1968.  His inclusion doesn't quite meet the criteria, but makes a bit more sense.  Nonetheless I have other issues with his card. First is that even him in the background? His head is obscured by the brim of his cap.  There are no discernable markings on his uniform. And is that guy in the stands behind him wearing a half black/half white suit?

Topps All-Star Misses: 1960 NL Outfield

   My latest project is making All Star Cards That Never Year for the years 1958-62 and 1968-70.  During those years Topps decision making on these cards was haphazard and a mystery to everybody but Topps. They were NOT based on the current season's "Sporting News All Stars" nor the previous season's ASG starters.  So I've made additional cards based on this criteria.   

What started as an idea for a small project, ballooned to over 150 cards so I'll be posting these in small doses.  I'll be breaking it down by year, league (NL or AL), and positions (battery, infield and outfield).

************************************************

In 1961 The Sporting News All Star team expanded to include a full roster from both AL & NL.  However, pre-1961 it was a combined roster.  The only NL outfielder was Willie Mays. The starting outfield in both 1959 games consisted of Mays, Aaron and Wally Moon.  But the 1960 Topps All Star Set was Aaron, Mays and Joe Cunningham.  

So only one Card That Never Was this time:

But seriously, why Joe Cunningham?  I know this time the cards say Sport Magazine All Star selection but I could not find that particular list, or an online copy of that magazine.  Joe was a reserve in both 1959 ASGs.  In the first game, he never left the bench.  In the second he pinch hit for Johnny Temple, grounded into a fielder's choice, and was pulled for pinch runner Vada Pinson. 

He had a decent season in 1959 finishing 13th in NL MVP voting and leading the league in On Base Percentage.  But in 1960 his batting average dropped by 65 points and his OBP dropped by 90.

Contest Winners

First of all, thank you to all that commented on my latest contest.  I decided to send all of you both cards.  I really appreciate the regular followers of this blog, even though my posting is spotty at best.  So if you were one of those who posted a comment on my contest post, email me your address (ctnwblog@gmail.com) and I'll mail them out.  Thanks again!

If you like the cards, you can support my addiction by purchasing a pack (the link is in the right margin).  I also have individual cards from both packs available on eBay.  My seller name is ctnwblog_8.   Once, I get close to my break even point, I'll make another pack.

I am also working on a project now that will mean plenty of posts to come.  I've hinted at these before.  I'm making a lot of Cards That Never Were.  Once they're done, I'll be posting a few times a
week.  

Dick Allen

 1942-2020

It is with great sadness that I learned earlier today of Dick Allen's passing.

This one really stings.  I grew up a Sox fan in the '70s.  Dick Allen was a hero to me.  I had a homemade baseball bat that was just ridiculously way too big.  We called it the "Dick Allen" bat.  I could only use it playing sandlot ball because it was obviously not legal for little league play.  If you follow this blog, you know that I have used Allen as the subject of many posts. The 72 "In Action" was one of my first fake cards. Here are as many others that I can remember making: