They were the best of times they were the worst of times-the 1970s and the Redbirds.
Nineteen Seventy started with a whimper for the Cardinals whose record was a sad 76-86. Couple this record and the blah of the 1970 Topps and you have a forgettable season. A remarkable one card is needed to complete the team set. This is the high # 716 Campisi/Cleveland/Guzman. Also remarkable is only one upgrade is needed. Score card for 1970, 29 Redbirds and only the one to complete.
The 1971 Topps issue is one where you see the transition between the old and the new. The action shots come into their own-the condition challenges of the 1971 set make it futile search for upgrades. Thirty-eight Redbirds are in the 1971 set and are only one tough card is needed to complete. The card is #625 Lou Brock, a high #.
I love the 1972 Topps set. I wish though the colors used for the design for the Redbirds were a little more flamboyant! Blue really doesn’t cut it. There are thirty-four Redbirds to track down and we are down to just two-are #500 Joe Torre and the high # 723 Al Santorini.
The last of the dreaded multi-series releases, 1973 is a design that has great action shots but the white front and the hideous black backs make it hard to love. The black backs make it hard to get them in great condition. However, of the 28 cards in team set there is no upgrades needed and only two to complete it-#603 Ken Reitz and the no number checklist.
I can sum up my thoughts on the 1974 Topps in one word-yuk, at least, no more series. There is some dispute on whether the team set is complete or not. My checklist says no, but I will double check as I complete the sorting through project-which I am almost done (hockey, check, Football, check, Autos and Relics/GU, and check). For now I will say I need one card to complete the 31 team set (including Traded and Checklist) is just the one-I think-card, which is #601 Bake McBride’s rookie card. Possibly the best baseball nickname ever.
If you don’t like the 1975 Topps issue I cannot help you in anyway, any. Not only do you have the glorious regular issue but you can get mini goodness too! I love the colors and this is the mid-1970s in all their glory. The full size regular team of 36 is complete but 8 of the minis are needed, including Keith Hernandez’s rookie card #623.
We finish the last ½ of the 70s strong with complete team sets for 1976 (32), 1977 (24), 1978 (29), and 1979 (30). There are a few upgrades needed amongst these year.
Stats-
1950s Topps Cardinals in the base set 199
1960s Topps Cardinals in the base set 368
1970s Topps Cardinals in the base set 231
Total number of Cardinals in base set for 1950s-1970s 798
1950s Topps Cardinals in collection 127
1960s Topps Cardinals in collection 299
1970s Topps Cardinals in collection 181
Total number of Cardinals in collection for 1950s-1970s 607 or we have 76%
1950s needed 72
1960s needed 69
1970s needed 15
Total number of Cardinals needed for 1950s-1970s 156
I completely forgot about the Keith Hernandez rookie card. Back in the early 80's, I was a big fan of him. That guy could hit. I eventually picked up his rookie card later in the decade. Pretty sure I paid top dollar.
ReplyDeleteI like Keith, but so much when he was with the Mets. he has been working with the Birds again. But you have one attractive card!
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