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 . . .

Ferguson Jenkins - Cub Leader and League Leader

Ferguson Jenkins is an all-time fan favorite of the Chicago Cubs and is also a League Leader –shown here paired with fellow Hall of Famers, Gibson and Perry as a 1970 League Leader in Wins and Strikeouts.

Between these four pitchers there are eight Cy Young awards (Perry actually had one in each league).

Jenkins was the backbone of the Cubs rotation and had six consecutive years of 20 wins or more from 1967 until 1972. Jenkins also boasts membership in the over 3000 under 1000 club; over 3000 strikeouts and under 1000 walks (can any other pitcher say that ?).


An interesting note about the 1969 Cubs team; Jenkins was the only non-USA born player on that roster, being a proud Canadian.

Jenkins has 267 career complete games, more than Gibson (255) or Seaver (231) to go along with his 284 career wins.

Fergie will always be a Cub Leader, League Leader, Hall of Famer and a top tier pitcher of all-time.