How About Some Love for 1974's?

[Mark70Z]

The main reason that I'm not too crazy about the '74's is the Brooks Robinson card (since that's mainly what I collect). Out of all the great in-action shots of other players, like Ryan and Reggie, this is the best they could do with Brooks?!?

I still have his card...but still...

[brewing]

I'm not a fan of this set. I think the 1973 set has better action shots and better photos overall.

[Samsdaddy]

Originally Posted by brewing

I'm not a fan of this set. I think the 1973 set has better action shots and better photos overall.

Personally, I think the 1973 design is weak. Yes, there are some cards I like in the set but overall I just did not care for it.

I thought the design was a bit better in '74 but great in 1975.

[nolemmings]

Personally, I think the 1973 design is weak. Yes, there are some cards I like in the set but overall I just did not care for it.

+1

1974 is one of my favorite post-war sets. I liked it so much at the time I put together just short of three full sets at age 15, before I took some time off for girls and cars. I REALLY like the design--the chevron-like streamers center the photo part of the card just right IMO and are color coded by team, a feature I always liked from the 60's sets (and missing from the '75 set). I actually prefer the posed shots to action photos--at least at the time, because so many of the latter seemed busy and/or had the featured player too small in relation to the photo (see Fisk, Seaver). That being said, I thought the Rose, Ryan, Carlton, Dent, Osteen and Reggie cards, among others, were/are great. Agree on the Aaron card being ugly, at least for his "main" card. Liked the leader cards (not as many "heads") and the Aaron tribute of all the old Topps issues. Not a fan of the traded series, especially as it gave more opportunities for the dreaded airbrush, and the team checklists got monotonous early. Still, count me as a big fan.

[KCRfan1]

Originally Posted by brewing

I'm not a fan of this set. I think the 1973 set has better action shots and better photos overall.

I agree, and from a collecting standpoint the 73's are much more difficult to find in nm condition vs the 74's. I love the 73's, and it is one of my all-time favorites. All about personal preferance.......

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

The main reason that I'm not too crazy about the '74's is the Brooks Robinson card (since that's mainly what I collect). Out of all the great in-action shots of other players, like Ryan and Reggie, this is the best they could do with Brooks?!?

I still have his card...but still...

At least it's not the shot from 77. That one I almost expected to see the "large Elvis" sequin jumpsuit.

Steve B

[Mark70Z]

Steve,

Like Elvis, he should have retired a few years earlier. When it comes to some of the Brooksie cards I'd just like to know who in the world chose the pictures; weren't there any better shots of him than the ones they used?!? Maybe a fielding pose or two...

[KCRfan1]

Mark, if you collect B Robinson cards, I imagine you are very disappointed ( I am ) with the lack of variety between his cards from year to year. When I think of Robinson, I think of fielding first. What a great player, and Topps gave no thought to his cards, and could have / should have produced more photos of him in the field. The only card with Brooks in the field is his 73. His other cards in the years of 66,67,68,69,70,72, and 77 are cookie cutter photos and unimaginative. The 76 looks like he's shielding his eyes from the sun. Great player, Topps did his cards no justice though.

[steve B]

He's one of my favorite players too.

I met him in 76, at a Sports Illustrated Hospitality suite (I was 13, so it was a bit unusual) He held up the autograph line to talk baseball, and the one guy who complained got put in his place very quickly.

Keeping his priorities left a lasting impression, even though I didn't know just why at the time.

Steve B

[Mark70Z]

Lou... You're right. The 1963/1964 have the same pose, the 1967/1969 (also the Super) same pose, and also used the 1962 pose on several issues like the stamp, coin, etc.

I do like all of his cards, but they could/should have been a lot better in my view.

Steve... Every time I have met Brooks it's always been a great experience. Always seems to act like you're a long lost friend. Makes it even nicer to collect his stuff.

Now... If anyone has a '61 Dice Game, '67/'68 Disc, or the '68 3D they can give/sell me it would make me feel a whole lot better!

Back the original subject. Overall I like the '74 set, but there are several I liked a lot better back in the day, and probably still do. I love the '71's and '75 set, but really who knows why...