TriStar Card Show Vintage Topps the '70s

I am slowly completing the Cardinals’ Topps team sets. All in all the ‘70s produced some of the most attractive issues in Topps’ history.  At the annual TriStar show I was able to add a few ‘70s Topps to the collections-in particular 1970. I thought I would give just a little info on each player.

First up, the 1970 Topps Redbirds. Carl Taylor spent one year (1970) with the Birds. Rich Nye is another local (Oakland, CA) boy who was drafted by the Cubs in 1966 while a University of California (Berkeley).  He would spend 1970 with the Birds as well. Rich would have a short career due to injuries and would later become a Veterinarian. Phil Gagliano was a utility layer for the Birds and would be with the Cardinals 1963-1970.  I am sensing a theme here with Jerry Johnson spending only the 1970 year with the Cardinals. I don’t think I need to say much about Joe Torre-not sure how I was able to get for $1.50 in excellent condition, but so be it. Steve Huntz would spend two seasons (1967, 1969) with the Cards and with the White Sox he would be traded along with Tommy John, yep that Tommy John, to the Dodgers for Dick Allen.  Joe Hague had an average Major League career and spent 1968-1972 with the Birds then 1972 and 1973 with the Reds.  Jose Cardinal was a Cuban born outfielder and cousin of Bert Campaneris. Jose spent 1970 and 1971 with the Birds. Jose was a three time World Series Champion (1996,1998,and 1999) when he was First Base Coach of the Yankees.

 

 

1972

Marty Martinez was also a Cuban born player who was with the Cardinals only in 1972.  He would later go on to coach with the Rangers and the Mariners.

1973

Rick Wise won the Little League World Series in 1958. He was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. Rick was a two time All-Star and pitched a perfect game with the Phillies on June 23, 1971. Rick spent 1972 and 1973 with the Cardinals.