Topps 1970: card # 14 Hank Allen

Harold Andrew Allen will be most remembered as Dick (Richie) Allen's older brother. Hank did play seven years in the big leagues; with the Washington Senators (1966-70), Milwaukee Brewers (1970) and the Chicago White Sox (1972-73).

Hank played third base, second base, first base, outfield and even appeared in one game as a catcher. His best year was in 1969 as a Senator, playing in 109 games and reaching career highs in batting average (.277), hits (75), runs (42) and RBI's (17).

Having hit six home runs in his career he ranks second in the family; behind Richie's 351 and youngest brother Ron who hit one. This trio of brothers ranks 11th in most home runs by a brother combination with 358; albeit Richie holds the torch.

I found a quote by Hank from the Baseball Almanac that I thought was right on. "I enjoyed it (being a major league ball player & Washington Senator) but remember . . . baseball is what I did. It is not who I am".

sidebar for an editorial comment: maybe more sports and or entertainment stars should think more like Hank and understand that is "what they do" not who they are. We should all be defined by who we are and not by what we do professionally. Thanks Hank for reminding me of that.

Hank Allen . . . card # 14 in 1970 . . . Richie's older brother.

Topps 1970: card #13 Jack Hiatt

a backup catcher who played nine seasons with six different teams having his only multi-year stay as a San Francisco Giant (1965-69). A career .251 hitter, limited power (22 career home runs) and had more strikeouts than hits in his career (295K's to 287 hits).
Hiatt did play for the Chicago Cubs, briefly as it was, in 1970; appearing in 66 games and belting 2 home runs.

Hiatt's "career day" was on April 24, 1969 when he hit two home runs and drove in seven; with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 13th inning.

Jack Hiatt, card # 13 from 1970 . . .

1970 Topps: #12 John Hiller

(because of Opening Night and Opening Day, I have been remiss in posting my card by card chronicle of the 1970 set, but now that the season is in "full" swing, I am going to resume and try to get caught up again)

John Frederick Hiller, a 15 year veteran pitcher who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. His career began in September of 1965, though he only pitched in six innings that year and 2 IP in 1966; but saw considerable action as a relief pitcher in years to follow. In 1968, he had a 9 - 6 record with 2 saves and a 2.39 ERA for the World Series Champs earning Hiller a ring.

In January of 1971, Hiller suffered a heart attack which would sideline him for the entire '71 season. His recovery was long (remember it was 1971 and medical rehab was much much different) but the Tigers did invite him to spring training for 1972. He was left off the roster and asked to remain as the batting practice pitcher "coach". He did that and eventually in July of '72 was to rejoin the 25 man roster and remain on it for nine more years.

In 1973, marking Hillers full recovery and return to the Tigers, he lead the league in games (65) and broke the AL record for saves with 38. 1973 would award Hiller with the Hutch award and AL Comeback Player of the Year.

John Hiller currently holds the Tiger franchise record for games appeared in with 545; a Tiger for "life", for his career in Detroit and his toughness to comeback.

Topps 1970: card # 11 Nate Colbert

Being the first San Diego Padre star it is very appropriate that he is the first Padre to show up in this 1970's set.

Colbert was an expansion team draft pick for the Padres (from the Houston Astros, having played in only 39 games in two years) but in 1969 (the Padres inaugural year) Colbert led the team in home runs (24), triples (9) and RBI's (66). The Padres only won 52 games in 1969 but Colbert was an emerging star first baseman.

A three time all-star (1971, 72 and 73), Colbert had his career day on August 1, 1972 - belting 5 home runs and driving in 13 runs in a doubleheader (tying Stan Musials HR record and breaking his previous record of 11 RBI's). His 1970's card shows his intense look and a very young clean shaven face; both of which would change drastically over the years.

Nate Colbert is the all-time leader in San Diego team history for home runs (163) and is in the top ten in many offensive categories including; 5th in total bases, 5th in at bats, 4th in slugging percentage and 7th in games played. The San Diego Padres have since recognized Colbert by inducting him in the team Hall of Fame in 1999.

Colbert's career spanned 11 years with his only productive years coming in San Diego (1969 - 1974); playing in 866 games and hitting 163 of his career 173 HR's and driving in 481 of his 520 career RBI's whle in a Padre uniform.

Nate Colbert . . . the first San Diego Padre star . . . the first Padre in 1970 . . .

1970 Topps: card # 10 Yaz

Carl Michaal Yastrzemski, card # 10 in the 1970 set; the first Hall of Famer and true "super star" of this set.

The son of polish immigrants, bi-lingual, raised on a potato farm, star basketball player (yes basketball, attending Notre Dame for a short while on a basketball scholarship), then signing with the Boston Red Sox in 1959 to embark on his historic baseball career.

Historic it was as pressure mounted for Yaz to supplant the great Ted Williams in left field and have to deal with the famed "Green Monster" at Fenway. After a mediocre rookie campaign, batting only .266 in 1961, Yaz made it his mission to improve and improve he did.

(this is one of the first cards that I will upgrade after I complete the set, note the crease bottom right)

From winning he batting title in 1963 with a .321 average, leading the league in doubles and finishing sixth in the MVP voting that year to his Triple Crown {.326 BA, 44 HR, 121 RBIS} and MVP year of 1967, to his first ballot hall of fame induction in 1989 appearing on 94.6 % of ballots, Yaz certainly did not disappoint any.

With so many remarkable moments in his career and career numbers in the top ten in many offensive categories (except homeruns) Yaz spent his entire 23 year career in a Boston uniform (his #8 was retired in 1989 as well). That feat deserves repeating; Yaztrzemski played twenty-three years in the same city, no other player (besides Brooks Robinson of the Orioles) has had a longer career with one team - ever. A record I do not foresee being challenged in today's marketplace.

Yaz was the first player in the AL ever to be a member of the 3000 hit and 400 homerun club, eighteen (18) times an all-star, seven (7) gold gloves and receiving votes for the MVP in 14 different years.
As noted on the back of his 1970's card, Yaz was the only "regular" player to hit .300 or higher in "the year of the pitcher" 1968, winning his third batting title.

Known for holding his unique batting stance, keeping his bat unusually high, giving him a long and powerful arc with added power at the plate, Yaz was able to hit 452 career HR's, with 1844 RBI's, 1157 extra base hits (including 646 doubles) to go along with 1845 walks (ranking 6th all time).

Carl Yastrzemski . . . Topps 1970 card # 10 . . . Boston Red Sock . . . Hall of Famer . . .

1970 Topps: # 9 Checklist

Can you say boring ? Yes that is exactly what the 1970 checklists are . . . simply boring.

There are seven (7) of these boring cards, in this set, each having the same drawing of a batter in the upper left corner, each listing upwards of 132 player names.

The only one interesting note is the red/yellow header on the front with the players names printed in black ink whereas the backs are the "normal" blue ink and yellow background.

A traditional checklist with tiny tiny printing, minuscule boxes . . . the best thing you can say about the Checklists of 1970 is . . . well . . . maybe nothing. And growing up in the generation of "if you can't say something nice, just dont say anything" . . . enough said . . .

Onward to tomorrow and card # 10 . . . the first HOF'er (of this set) and true superstar of the Boston Red Sox . . .

1970 Topps: #8 Jose Martinez

Martinez had a short (ok short may be an over-statement, more like a blip) of a major league career. Born in 1942 in Cuba, being a speedy and reliable defensive infielder was not enough to keep his senior circuit membership.
While Martinez did have a reasonably sound year in 1969, helping out at second base for the injured Bill Mazeroski; hitting .268 in 77 games. He played in only 19 games in 1970 batting .050 and then baseball was in his past.

Jose Martinez, card # 8 from 1970; a Pittsburgh Pirate, a blip on the radar.

1970 Topps: #7 Indians Rookie Stars

The first Rookie Stars card from the 1970 set highlights two players who never really "made it". Sorry to those Indian bloggers out there but there will be "better" tribe cards to come later on in the set.

Gary Boyd played only in 1969, appearing in 8 games; giving up 11 earned runs in 11 innings pitched (that would be an era of 9.00). He also walked 14 batters and struck out 9. To make matters worse, Boyd actually played in his first game on August 1st and his last on September 26 - giving him a total of 57 days in the majors.

His card partner, Russ Nagelson did somewhat better. As a 14th round draft pick (the 272nd overall pick) out of Ohio State University in 1966, Nagelson enjoyed a three year (partial as it my have been) major league career. Appearing in 62 games (34 with Cleveland in 1968 thru 1970 and 28 with Detroit in 1970); he had 78 career at bats, 16 hits including 1 (yes one) homerun ! One positive though, his fielding percentage was 1.000 ! (committed zero errors in 13 games, 24 put outs - playing all three outfield positions and first base)

So the first Rookie Stars of 1970 are far from stars but each did have a "sip of coffee" as it is said and are card # 7 !

1970 Topps: #6 Grant Jackson

one of the most accepted definitions of a "journey man" in baseball would be someone who plays for several years (usually over 10), for a few different teams (usually over 3) and is deemed "valuable". I think it is important to add that any and every player on the 25 man roster is valuable and one who spends several years on a teams roster must be valuable.

Having said that, I present card #6 from the 1970 Topps set; Grant Jackson.

An 18 year veteran who played for six different teams (Phillies 1965-70, Orioles 71-76, NYY 76, Pirates 77-81 and 82, Expos 81 and Royals 82). A one-time all-star (1969), where in that year he had career high in wins (14), losses (18), innings pitched (253) and strikeouts (180).

Jackson played in 13 post season games, including three world series' (having won one ring in 1979 with Pittsburgh). His post season record of 3 - 0 in 17 2/3 innings is highlighted by being the winning pitching of record for game 7 in 1979. Jackson ended his career with a 86-75 W-L record to go aong with his 79 saves.

Grant Jackson, card #6 . . . a true valuable journeyman.

1970 Topps: card # 5

Maurice Wesley Parker; the first legitimate "star" that appears in this set as card number 5. Playing first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers for nine years, six consecutive gold gloves (1967 thru 1972 and one World Series ring (1965) is only part of his story.

Parker had a career batting average of .267 had 1110 hits, 64 HR's while driving in 470 runs. His best offensive year was in 1970 playing in a league leading 161 games, batting .319 with 111 RBI's and 47 doubles; coming in 5th in MVP voting that year as well. Defensively, Parker was phenomenal; not only those six gold gloves but he had a career fielding percentage of .996 ! In 2007, Parker was named to the Major League Baseball All-Time Gold Glove Team, being the only eligible member of the team who is not in the Hall of Fame.

Parker was part of a string of outstanding first baseman for the Dodgers, being sandwiched between Gil Hodges and Steve Garvey.

In typical Topps fashion for 1970 , the back of his card notes a non-baseball factoid stating that Parker "is an excellent bridge player".

Interesting to note is that after his life in baseball, Parker had a successful stint as an actor, about 12 years worth. He might be most known (in the crowd aged under 30) as "that ballplayer" that appeared in a Brady Bunch episode promising Greg Brady "two tickets to a game if he gets an A in math". He also had appearances in several other show including being the "star" in All that Glitters a show that ran in 1977.

A star on and off the field . . . . Wes Parker the first "star"card of 1970.

1970 Topps: card # 4

Tom Egan, California Angels backup catcher. Egan had a ten year major league career, all but two with the Angels (1971 - 72 with the Chicago White Sox) and played in total of 373 games; yes only 373 games in 10 years. The epitome of a backup - playing only when the regular needed a rest or as a late inning substitute.
Egan had a career BA of only .200, hit 22 HR's (ten of which were in 1971, when he appeared in the most games of his career in one year at 85). Egan struck out 336 times in his career, almost one per game (not a very impressive statistic at all). At 6'4" and around 220 pounds, he was a "giant" in those days. Maybe he should have stayed with football as he was a high school all-american running back.

The back of his 1970 card highlights his defensive ability with the cartoon in the upper right; at the end of the 1969 campaign he had only made four errors in his five year career - playing in only 88 games though. He would conclude his career with only 27 errors, 1861 putouts and a .987 fielding percentage (not so great by any standards for a "defensive star" or backup).

So that is card # 4 for this 1970 set . . . slowly but surely . . . and at this pace, I should be done chronicling this set by March of 2011 !

1970 Topps: card # 3

Darrel Chaney, primarily a backup shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds (1969 - 1975) and the Atlanta Braves (1976-1979), was a solid defensive glove man and posted a career BA of .217.

This 1970 card # 3 is his official rookie card and Chaney did earn a World Series ring with the "Big Red " Machine of 1975 as he was the functional off the bench utility guy for Dave Concepcion. Interesting to note is that Chaney had more career triples (17) than homeruns (14). That is about the most "exciting" thing I could find about Chaney.

The top row of my first page of my 1970's binder is now posted. It really amazes me how "random" Topps was after card # 1 (World Champions) and then no rhyme or reason for the next cards, until the subsets of League Leaders (#61-72), League Playoffs (#195-202), WS (305-310)and All-Star cards 450-469). In some years to follow Topps used the first few cards for an exciting subset; (ie 1974 Aaron Special card, 1976 Record Breakers etc).

My journey continues on to my second row with guys like; Tom Egan, Wes Parker, and Grant Jackson and some "humorous" backs to follow.

Topps 1970: card # 2

Diego Pablo Segui (pronounced say-gee) Gonzalez; played in the majors for 16 years, six different teams (ok seven if you count the KC and Oakland Athletics as two).

I am sure that 99 % of you have never heard of Diego Segui and would only recognize the last name attached to a guy named David, his son who played from 1990 to 2004. But the father (Diego) had a very interesting career.

As a right handed pitcher, his career numbers are: 92-111 with 1298 strikeouts and a 3.81 era. Nothing to brag about but he did lead the entire AL in 1970 with a 2.56 era.

Diego Segui is also the only major leaguer ever to play for both the Seattle teams; the one-year wonder Seattle Pilots in 1969 (having his most productive year going 12 - 6) AND the then new expansion team Seattle Mariners in 1977. He actually was the starting pitcher in their inaugural game in 1977 but retired at the end of the season going 0 - 7. { an interesting foonote: the Pilots and Mariners had identical records in their first year going 64 - 98 }

Here is a good example of the backs of the 1970 cards: as I said in my pre-view post, I like the color combination of blue and yellow - reminds me of outdoor day basball (the sky and sunshine). The cartoon image in the upper right was sometimes "humorous" (haha fork in the ball) and sometimes hobby related as we will see in some later posts.

Diego Segui; card # 2 for 1970 . . . the first Pilot . . . and then the first Mariner . . .

1970 Topps: card # 1

In the first official card post for my project of exposing the entire 1970 Topps basic set (all 720 cards I hope) is card numbered 1: World Champions.

I know, in a previous post I put this as one of my least favorite cards but that was strictly personal - it is the #1 card in this set so I must. Interesting to note that in 1970, 71 and 72 Topps decided to put the Team card of the World Series winner as the first card. (they also did this in 1967). I like that tradition rather than a random card placed first - though I dont like having the Mets as the World Champions for 1969 it is a nice honor to have for the team.

The back of the card is interesting as well, listing all the "all-time" Met leaders in several categories (their first year as a franchise was in 1962, just a mere 8 years of history). Tom Seaver litters the pitching record list, go figure. Also on the back gives a year by year record of the team since 1962; tenth, tenth, tenth, tenth, ninth, tenth, ninth and . . . . first.

One down . . . 719 to go . . .

Topps 1970 set preview

For those of you who read my blog regularly (or semi-regularly) you probably know the following (or not):
a) my favorite team are the Chicago Cubs
b) my favorite baseball year is 1969 (from my youth of course, which makes me "old"er than most)
c) am working (using the slow and low budget method) on completing the 1970 Topps basic set (currently at 667 / 720 or 92.6 %)
d) the centerpiece of my collection are the 1970 cards (of the 1969 Cubs) framed alongside the pennant that never came true (please note my very first post in December of 2008)
e) am constantly in awe of the "modern" collectors and the number of sets, subsets, variations, short prints, manufacturers, parallels, abbreviations, redemption's, autographs, reprints, black, gold, chrome, platinum and etc etc
f) prefer the simple days of yester-year and collecting being a "fun" hobby and not discussions of value or the "investment"

Having said all of this, I do love this new forum termed the blogsophere and learning (and sharing) so much about a game and hobby I do enjoy.

So in another attempt at stealing an idea, I will be highlighting the Topps 1970 set, card by card (in order). This will give me more of a focus on my "vintage" posts and hopefully persoanl motivation to complete this set.

A few comments about the 1970 set. I like it ! It will not be known as the favorite set design of all-time but the large photo outlined with a white border (yes mostly posed and portrait style, which was the norm from that day) to the gray border is appealing. The team name is bold, capitalized and clean looking, the players name in script (adds a touch of class) with their position spelled out. Nothing fancy, nothing unique, nothing spectacular - just nice, clean and grey.

The backs are the very "day baseball" colors of the sky and sun; bright yellow and blue. Day baseball as in outdoor baseball. Most cards also feature a cartoon / comic about the player, the basic nine statistics of the game and the players entire career (sometimes even with minor league and gaps described). I will scan several backs (of selected players) to give you a good sample of these as well.

The set also boasts Rookie Cards of Vida Blue/Gene Tenace (#21), Thurman Munson (#189), Bill Buckner (#286), Larry Bowa (#539), and Darrel Evans (#621) with HOF's galore in the League Leader and All-Star cards.

So this is my preview of a new "irregular special feature" of mine, highlighting card by card the "grey flannel" set of 1970.