A Celebration of Topps: HOF Pitchers

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by cjedmonton

Surprisingly little impact.

Only 5 adjustments

Slotted Kaat for mid 60s
Moved Hunter to mid 70s
Moved Sutter back a few years
Moved Carlton and Gossage up a few years

I have decided on the actual years for everyone, but will reveal them as a surprise for those following my progress.

Nice to have an even 30 subjects now representing the first 30 years of regular Topps (1952-81)…at least until 2024. My own 30 for 30 if you will.




Lee Smith “breaks the streak” because his RC is in ‘82.

The main goal here is to represent the entire vintage era of Topps with a different Hall of Fame pitcher with no omissions, no repeats, and no rookies.

With Kaat’s induction, every year from 1952-81 can be represented by a different HoF pitcher with no one left out. Just a cool coincidence.

If I expand this to all Topps era HOF pitchers, I can add any of Smith’s non-RC cards along with the other 9 modern guys (Maddux, Glavine, Johnson, Smoltz, Mussina, Hoffman, Martinez, Rivera, Halladay).

But the magic is to be able to assemble a run of 30 consecutive years during Topps’s heyday with every HOF pitcher during that time.

So in other words every other HOF pitcher in the 82 set already would have been used once in some prior year?

[cjedmonton]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

So in other words every other HOF pitcher in the 82 set already would have been used once in some prior year?

Exactly. Each year and each pitcher is one and done.

It would take a new inductee with a non-RC in 1982 to continue the run (could add to it with an 83 Smith).

Just my own rules to ensure I showcase the player and Topps design rather than RC status or value.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by cjedmonton

Exactly. Each year and each pitcher is one and done.

It would take a new inductee with a non-RC in 1982 to continue the run (could add to it with an 83 Smith).

Just my own rules to ensure I showcase the player and Topps design rather than RC status or value.

Tommy John may save you.

But your problem of course is there are only 5 HOF RC pitchers in all the 70s. Compared to 13 in the 60s lol.

[cjedmonton]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Tommy John may save you.

But your problem of course is there are only 5 HOF RC pitchers in all the 70s. Compared to 13 in the 60s lol.

I’d be ok with an ‘82 Tommy John! Who knew he’d still have 7 seasons ahead of him at that point?

[nolemmings]

Best of luck to you on your quest. I started something similar a few years back-- 2 HOFers from each year 1951-80 with Topps, Bowman and '63 Fleer- no dupes and no rookies, but scrapped it when I began focusing more on prewar.

Here's a list of worthy cards from my perspective-- I tried to keep players on teams where they were best or very well known, and with poses I liked:

1. Bob Feller 1952
   Satchel Paige 1953
   Whitey Ford 1954
   Hal Newhouser 1955
   Bob Lemon 1956
   Early Wynn 1957
   Robin Roberts 1958
   Jim Bunning 1959
   Warren Spahn 1960
   Sandy Koufax 1961
   Juan Marichal 1962
   Hoyt Wilhelm 1963
   Don Drysdale 1964
   Bob Gibson 1965
   Jim Kaat 1966
   Don Sutton 1967
   Gaylord Perry 1968
   Fergie Jenkins 1969
   Phil Niekro 1970
   Jim Palmer 1971
   Bert Blyleven 1972
   Rollie Fingers 1973
   Nolan Ryan 1974
   Catfish Hunter 1975
   Tom Seaver 1976
   Steve Carlton 1977
   Rich Gossage 1978
   Jack Morris 1979
   Dennis Eckersley1980
   Bruce Sutter 1981

I'd be interested in seeing your list.

[cjedmonton]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

Best of luck to you on your quest. I started something similar a few years back-- 2 HOFers from each year 1951-80 with Topps, Bowman and '63 Fleer- no dupes and no rookies, but scrapped it when I began focusing more on prewar.

Here's a list of worthy cards from my perspective-- I tried to keep players on teams where they were best or very well known, and with poses I liked:

I'd be interested in seeing your list.

Outstanding. I knew I couldn’t be the only one!

Couple questions:

1. How far along did you get?
2. How did the Bowman/Fleer years factor in if no dupes?
3. What do you mean by “2 HOFers from each year” Both pitchers, or a mix with hitters?

Otherwise, that is a great list. Mine is quite a bit different, but am also focusing on relevant teams/years during their career when possible, plus aesthetics (colors, pose, etc…).

Will post my list shortly (wasn’t going to, but it’s more fun).

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by cjedmonton

Outstanding. I knew I couldn’t be the only one!

Couple questions:

1. How far along did you get?
2. How did the Bowman/Fleer years factor in if no dupes?
3. What do you mean by “2 HOFers from each year” Both pitchers, or a mix with hitters?

Otherwise, that is a great list. Mine is quite a bit different, but am also focusing on relevant teams/years during their career when possible, plus aesthetics (colors, pose, etc…).

Will post my list shortly (wasn’t going to, but it’s. ore fun).

The list I just posted was compiled yesterday for fun. I used the two cards you already have, although I remember I preferred the 1970 Jenkins and a different Palmer (I had Brooks Robinson and Sparky Anderson for '71).

I will try and dig up my old list. As I think about it, I may have gone back to 1948 so as to cover all major post-war sets. I had a graded minimum requirement of 7 for cards from the 50s, 8 from the 60s and 9 from the 70's (except 1971). I would probably relax that if I tried again, or at least adjust my picks. I remember a '62 Frank Robby was on my list and that card is very hard to find in nm-mt without spending a ton. I think I ended up swapping that for 1967 and putting Marichal there.

I had all HOFers, not just pitchers. I tried to get one from each league for each set, although not always ('53 offered the only "inexpensive" Paige and I really wanted Newhouser on the Tigers). Each set was represented even if from the same year-- in fact, I remember I listed (but never got) the '53 Bowman B&W Casey Stengel. Musial was the '53 Bowman color, as I consider that the most beautiful post-war card ever produced.

I did not get that far, as again, I went pretty much all in to pre-war. I was taking two steps forward and one step back, selling some to buy the old stuff, and when I sold my Musial and '55 Jackie, well, that kind of made me bitter toward the whole project. I jettisoned almost all of it. I regret it very much. My only solace is that I believe all of the cards are readily available if you find the $$$, so I may start over. Heck, you might have inspired a 2022 challenge for me--thanks!