Topps Cards That Never Were - 1966 Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra is synonymous with the New York Yankees.  He was arguably the life blood of the team for 18 seasons.  But how many people realize that Yogi attempted a comeback of sorts for the New York Mets in 1965 at the age of 39?

After ending his playing career with the Yankees in 1963, Berra went on to manage the Bronx Bombers in 1964.  That year the Yanks won 99 games and took the AL Pennant,  but lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. 

Following Berra's inexplicable firing after the '64 campaign, Berra became a coach for the Mets.  Berra remained a coach for eight seasons, and was made manager in 1972 after the death of then manager Gil Hodges.  During the 1965 season, Berra made a brief return to the diamond and appeared in four games for the New York Mets.  Berra made two pinch hit appearances and played two complete games at catcher. 

Berra only had nine plate appearances for the Mets, and got two base knocks in one of those four games.  Although Berra's stats in 1965 were not really cumulative enough to earn a Topps card, I think given his stature in the game he should have been awarded one.

So, 47 years later, I'm happy to oblige and present this 1966 Topps card of Yogi Berra...

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1972 Carlton Fisk

A little while back, Joe Average Card Collector requested a standalone version of Carlton Fisk's 1972 Topps Rookie Card.  As most of you know, Fisk's original RC was a 1972 tri-player version shown below.

I have mixed feelings about the two, three and four player (Has there been a five-player?) rookie cards Topps has released in the past.  As shown above, I have no qualms whatsoever with a three player card featuring all Red Sox (or all of any one team).

Where I get irritated is when Topps releases a card that is position based and may include up to four players from different teams.  What's the big deal, you ask?  Well, I like Padres, and I've dabbled in Team Collecting over the years, but I'm always dissuaded because of one rookie card.  No, not Tony Gwynn, nor Dave Winfield, but good old John "Dave" Hilton's rookie card.  Who?

That's right, Dave Hilton, who scrapped out a whopping 108 hits over his four year career in San Diego with a Mario Mendoza inspiring .213 batting average.  Typically, this card would be in the 25 to 50 cent range, maybe $2 because it's a high-number.  Except for the fact the John/Dave shares the card with fellow rookies Ron Cey and Mike Schmidt.  

Over the years, I've heard plenty of Dodger fans bemoan the fact that Mike Schmidt was on a Ron Cey card, thus adding plenty of dollar signs to a Team Collection.  Well, with no disrespect to Mr. Hilton, at least Ron Cey had a lengthy, All-Star filled career that earned him a nickname.  The same cannot be said for John/Dave Hilton.

So, I am glad to produce a standalone rookie card of Carlton Fisk for Joe Average Card Collector.  I'm sure Cecil Cooper and Mike Garman would appreciate the extra room on their card.

Enjoy, and please make some requests!

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1961 Ted Williams

Just like the original Star Wars Trilogy, it’s time to complete the Ted Williams’ Cards that Never Were Saga with his 1961 Topps release.

As I mentioned before, Williams had an exclusive contract with Fleer in 1959, 1960 and 1961, so the collecting world was denied these Topps cards.  That is why I’ve created my own version of his 1959 Topps (ok), his 1960 Topps (much better) and finally his 1961 Topps card...

I will be honest and say that I absolutely love this card.  Granted, I nabbed the photo from Ted Williams’ The Science of Hitting book, but I think it fits perfectly with the 1961 Topps set.  The photo is grainy, the color is washed out, and Williams is obviously at the end of his career.  It all fits.  

I can almost see this card stuck in the rear spokes of a kid's bike. It even has dinged corners and a printing smudge on the 'W' in Williams.  Man, I LOVE this card, even though it only exists in the ether.

I hope you enjoyed viewing the Williams Trilogy, but even if you didn’t, it was a blast to make and I am very happy with the finished product.

Doc

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1960 Ted Williams

As promised last week, I am in the midst of releasing a trio of Topps Cards That Never Were for arguably the greatest hitter to ever play the game, Ted Williams.  Previously, I featured a 1959 Topps version of Williams that received little fanfare and was largely ignored.  Oh well, I’m not in it for the adulation.

This week is a 1960 Topps card representing Williams’ 1959 season, the one and only season he hit under .300!  The release of this card is also special because it is my Dad’s birthday, and Ted Williams was his favorite player.  So what better gift than to present a 1960 Topps Williams’ card that never was?  Enjoy!

I enjoyed making this card.  Adding the black and white photograph was fun, and I like the approach I took of showing his number instead of his face like most 1960 Topps cards.  The number nine is synonymous with Ted Williams and it should be shown on a card!  The lettering did give me fits.  I was almost done when I realized I had the black/red alternating sequence messed up.  Oops.

As always, let me know if you have any requests, and I’ll start working on a card for you.  I have one more Williams to show, and a request for a 1972 Topps Fisk RC.

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1959 Ted Williams

Since I began making these custom made Topps cards that never were, I have intentionally avoided one player.  Not out of desire to create his cards, but more of hesitancy that what I created would only be passable or adequate.  In my eye, the Splendid Splinter needed custom cards worthy of his accomplishments.  So, after 25+ creations and a lot of trepidation on my part, I’m willing to share my version of Ted Williams’ 1959 Topps card.

Why the apprehension in creating a Ted Williams card?  While I do consider Teddy Ballgame the greatest hitter ever (even better than Tony Gwynn, gasp!), I have a more important reason.  Ted Williams is my Dad’s favorite baseball player.  Ever.

That’s a big deal to me, especially compounded with the fact that Tony Gwynn is my favorite player, and that he and Ted Williams struck up a friendship late in Mr. Williams’ life.  Between those two players, my Dad and I have carved out a huge chunk of baseball history and lore to claim as our own.  That in itself deserves my respect.

As for the 1959 Topps card, it is not the final Topps card that should have been for Ted Williams.  In fact, I have two more coming on the heels of this one, his 1960 and 1961 Topps releases.  From what I can gather, it seems that Ted Williams signed an exclusive contract with Fleer to produce the Ted Williams Sets from 1959 through 1961.  This would seem to be the reason for no Ted Williams’ Topps cards in 1959, 1960 and 1961.  Someone please correct me if I am mistaken.

Of the three Williams’ in the cue, I consider this the least “worthy.”   I worked for hours on this card trying to get every last pixel right.  The template ended up looking great, but the photo doesn’t quite go with the era.  The picture is too clear and I can’t recall many swinging photos in the 1959 set.

I hope you like it!

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1982 Ryne Sandberg

Yet again, I am straying further and further away from my original intention of only creating cards for Hall of Fame players that never received their final Topps tribute.  Last week, I featured Reggie Jackson’s 1977 Topps Orioles card, and prior to that, I made a final card for Thurman Munson.  This week, I am going to the other end of the spectrum and featuring the rookie or traded card that should have been for Ryne Sandberg.  Why am I doing this?  Requests!  I love getting requests and I love providing a final requested product even more!

I’m sure everyone knows that Ryno was the star second basement, I mean basemen, for the Chicago Cubs (Sorry, I often type basement when discussing the Cubs…).  Prior to his glory days as a Cubbie, Sandberg played a brief stint for the Philadelphia Phillies as a September call-up in 1981.  He appeared in a scant 13 games, mostly as a pinch runner, and only had six plate appearances.  He did manage to score two runs and grab a base knock.  His lone hit came against Mike Krukow in the second half of a double header, in which Sandberg replaced Schmidt in a laugher of a game (Phils won 14-0 against the Cubs, of course).

Imagine that, Ryne Sandberg replaced Mike Schmidt in a game.  Bet 99.999% of you didn’t know that nugget. 

Anyways, after the '81 season, the Phillies inexplicably decided to trade Ryne Sandberg, and Larry Bowa, for the likes of Ivan de Jesus on January 27, 1982.  Ay, Dios mio!

Ivan managed to get seven dingers and post a .249 average over three years with the Phanatics.  While Ryne blasted 282 home runs, amassed nearly 2,400 hits and batted .285 for the Cubs over 15 seasons.  Top that off with one MVP, 10 All Star appearences, nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards.  Can you say lopsided trade?

Enough with the de Jesus bashing.  It almost feels like blasfemia.  Here is Ryne Sandberg’s 1982 Topps Traded offering.  Had trouble with the name text, but everything else turned out alright.

And before anyone says "Shortstop?," Ryno predominantly played SS during the 81 campaign (when he wasn't Pinch Running).

Hope you enjoy it, any requests?  Also, if you like this card, go check out the complete Gallery!

Doc

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1977 Reggie Jackson

For this entry, I am deviating once again from my previous course of making final season cards for Hall of Famers.  This Topps Card That Never Was is for Reggie Jackson's 1976 season in Baltimore.

The 1977 Topps release features Reggie Jackson in an airbrushed Yankees' uniform/helmet, from what appears to be an Oakland Athletics' photograph.  Not a very inspiring photo as you can see below...

Also, I didn't realize that Reggie Jackson played in Baltimore until well in the '90s!  I remember when I saw the 1988 Score tribute that showed Jackson in an Oriole uniform.  I was blown away and thought it was an error/trick/etc.  I then dug out my "Total Baseball" encyclopedia and looked up Mr. October.  I couldn't believe that I had completely missed the fact that Reggie Jackson was an Oriole for one glorious summer.

So, 20 years later and armed with the firepower of Photoshop, I decided to end this travesty.  Ergo, enjoy the custom made 1977 Topps Reggie Jackson card in all it's Baltimorey goodness!  

PS - I will gladly take requests, just leave a comment!

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1980 Thurman Munson

This feature was always a favorite on the blog, and I enjoy creating these cards.  Previously, I've focused solely on Hall of Fame players who for some inexplicable reason were not afforded a Topps card after their final seasons.  For this go round, I'm going to showcase a 1980 Thurman Munson card that should have been printed after his death on August 2, 1979.

Munson was 32 years old at the time of his death and was in the midst of his 11th season with the Bronx Bombers.  Munson was a fan favorite, first Yankee captain since Lou Gehrig, and was the equivalent of a reinforced concrete wall behind the dish.  Munson is so well known for his defensive prowess that he appears often as a cameo in other players cards when it features a play at the plate.

For more detailed information about Thurman Munson, check out his Wiki page.  And without further ado, after an 18 month hiatus, I bring you a Topps Card That Never Was...

    

If you have requests, please leave a comment!

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1984 Gaylord Perry

Apparently it has been almost 10 months since the last one I did of these, and believe me, it shows.  After Jim Palmer, I hit a wall when it came to new cards to do.  It can be extremely difficult finding photographs of Hall of Fame players at the end of their careers, especially if they play their last season in a strange uniform.  

Case in point, Mr. Gaylord Perry.  I do find it remarkable that I cannot seem to find a nickname for Gaylord Perry.  With a name like that and the fact he is renowned as one of the greatest "cheats" in the game, I am absolutely amazed he is without a nickname.  So, I am nicknaming him Cheats. 

Anyways, 1983 was the year that three HOFers retired, Bench, Yaz and Perry.  Topps went so far as to pay tribute to this feat in a highlights card (see below).  It never dawned on me until I was making this card, that Topps used the inset images from the cards they WERE going to make of Bench, Yaz and Perry, and made a lame highlights card.  

Always give HOFers their due respect and make a card for them, even if they only played sparingly in their final season.  Shoot, Fleer didn't make this mistake, and Perry starter 30 games!  

So, here you go Mr. Perry.  While not my best work, it's passable, and I will refrain from citing the picture in honor of your wily ways.

Well, here are "Cheats'" stats from 1983, where he split time with Seattle and KC at the age of 44:

Year	Club	G	IP	W	L	R	ER	SO	BB	ERA
1983	SEA/KC	30	186.1	7	14	108	96	82	49	4.64

Man, almost 200 innings at the age of 44.  Who does he think he is, Jamie Moyer? 

PS - Don't forget to enter my contest!

Topps Cards That Never Were: 1975 Topps - Night Owl

100th post.  Yeah me!

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1985 Jim Palmer

It's been a long time since I have done one of these, or at least posted about one.  I have slipped a few non-posted Topps Cards That Never Were into my "gallery," such as a 1964 Stan Musial and 1980 Catfish Hunter.  The Musial card came out nice, so it should deserve its own post, but not this one.

This post goes to "Cakes" aka Jim Palmer.  By the time I was realizing the greatness of baseball in 1984 (Pads vs Tigers), which was far after I started collecting cards (circa 1979), I was unaware of Jim Palmer.  I missed all the hype about him in his underwear (Thank God) and knew little of him because his star was fading by 1984.

In fact, in 1984, the Orioles had felt his star had collapsed into a white dwarf, and released Palmer after he went 0-3 with an over 9 ERA at the beginning of the 1984 season.  The Orioles did give Mr. Palmer the option of going on the voluntary retirement list, to which Cakes declined, so the O's released him.  Unlike Baltimore's move, Jim was classy and decided to retire.

While I didn't know much about Cakes while he played because he was excluded from the 1975 release of Superstar Baseball tabletop game (which I still play) in favor of Mike Cuellar, I did learn about him in 1991.  During this spring training, seven years after his retirement and AFTER he had already been inducted into the Hall of Fame, Palmer decided to make a comeback.

This time the Orioles were open arms because of the publicity and dollar signs (Stay classy, Baltimore), but Palmer's comeback was ended after a poor spring training showing with an 80 MPH fastball.  However, I give him credit for trying, and given the fact he is/was in fantastic physical shape.  Must of been the tighty-whities.

Anyways, a story from the 1991 spring training goes like this: "While working out at the University of Miami during his comeback attempt, Palmer was approached by Hurricanes assistant coach Lazaro Collazo. Collazo, presumably not recognizing Palmer, reportedly told him, "You'll never get into the Hall of Fame with those mechanics." "I'm already in the Hall of Fame," Palmer replied."

Here are Cakes' stats from 1984 at the age of 38:

Year	Club	G	IP	W	L	R	ER	SO	BB	ERA
1984	Orioles	5	17.2	0	3	19	18	4	17	9.17

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1991 Jerry Reuss

As many of you are aware, the card blogosphere has been abuzz from Jerry Reuss' interaction on Night Owl's post about one of his childhood heroes, Jerry Reuss!  To me, it was extremely exciting to see a great former big league pitcher actually acknowledge that someone, anyone, besides us reads what we are doing.  I immediately felt like a 12 year old boy again, saving my lawn mowing money to buy some 1989 Topps wax packs at the local pharmacy.  It brought back a lot of good memories, so thank you Night Owl and Mr. Reuss.

Those who have followed this blog know that I like to make Topps cards of players that for some inexplicable reason were never made.  After yesterday's activity, I thought it would be a nice homage to feature Mr. Reuss on a 1991 Topps card in a Pirates uniform.  His actual last Topps card is a 1990 Brewers, but to me it didn't feel right letting him go out into the cardboard sunset in a Brewers uni.  It has to be a Pirate!

Mr. Reuss was nice enough to post his website and his flickr photostream for us to enjoy.  Using one of his flickr pictures, which is from his last major league appearance, I created the following.

Photo courtesy of: Jerry Reuss' Flickr Photostream

This card may not be reproduced for sale, and shall only be used for online enjoyment.

Thank you for all the excitement you've created, and your great career, Mr. Reuss.

Here are Reuss' stats from 1990 at the age of 41:

Year	Club	G	IP	W	L	R	ER	SO	BB	ERA
1990	Pirates	4	7.2	0	0	3	3	1	3	3.52

Topps Cards That Never Were Gallery

Hey Topps! If for some bizarre reason you see this, insert set...