1976 Topps #550 - Hank Aaron

• This was Mr. Aaron's final card. It would have been cool if Topps would have made special "farewell cards" for great players the year after their careers ended that would have had their final stats.
• The game in which Hank broke the all-time home run record (April 8, 1974) was the first game I remember watching on TV (I was 7 years old). My dad and I went down the street and watched it at my friend Jimmy's house. Aaron was  my first "favorite player" because of this.
• I started collecting baseball cards in 1974. The first card I have any memories of was one of the Hank Aaron Special cards (I think it was card #5).
• How could anyone leave Hank off of a Hall of Fame ballot? Nine writers left Aaron off of their ballots in 1982 -- he was named on 406 of 415 ballots.
• Who was the most consistent player in major league history? My vote would go to Aaron, but a strong case could also be made for Stan Musial.
• HOFers who Aaron had success against: Don Drysdale (17 HR); Sandy Koufax (.362 in 116 AB); Steve Carlton (.342 in 73 AB); Hoyt Wilhelm (.348 in 23 AB)
• HOFers that Hank had a harder time with: Tom Seaver (.205 in 78 AB); Bob Gibson (.215 in 163 AB)
• Baseball Digest articles:
• If Anyone Belongs in the Hall of Fame, It's Hank Aaron - June 1969
• Hank Aaron Headed for Cooperstown - May 1970
• Hank Aaron Tells a Secret - November 1971
• Hank Aaron in Countdown on Ruth Mark - January 1972
• Countdown to 714 - special 32-page issue in 1973
• ... And Who Will Catch Hank Aaron? - December 1973
• The Pursuit Resumes - April 1974
• Nobody Will Catch Aaron - July 1974
• Hank Aaron Talks about Hitting - July 1975
• Hank Aaron: Will His Last Hurrah Be An Embarrassment? - February 1976
• How Hank Aaron Almost Became a Giant or Pirate - December 1998
• Hank Aaron Recalls '74 Game When He Broke Ruth's Record - April 1999
• Hank Aaron - May 2002

1976 Topps #500 - Reggie Jackson

• Reggie! Reggie! Reggie! I think that's the first time I heard a chant for one player in a game. Most people either loved or hated him, and some people (like me) liked and disliked him at the same time. 
• Reggie Jackson played for Arizona State University and was drafted by the Kansas City A's in 1966. He spent two years in the minors and was called up to the A's in mid-1967. Reggie didn't do much for the A's in 1967 (.178, 1 HR, 6 RBI in 118 at bats) but was given the starting right field job in 1968.
• The A's moved to Oakland in 1968 and Reggie did well. He led the AL in strikeouts with 171 -- he would lead the league five times -- but he batted .250 with 29 HR and 74 RBI in "The Year of the Pitcher." 
• Jackson had one of his best seasons in 1969, batting .275 with 47 HR, 118  RBI, and a league-leading 123 runs scored. Reggie Jackson - Baseball's Next Super-Star? - August 1969 Baseball Digest. How Williams Views Reggie As A Hitter -  November 1969 Baseball Digest. After the 1969 season Reggie had the first of several salary disputes with A's owner Charlie Finley. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn intervened, but the dispute affected  Jackson and he had an off year in 1970 (.237, 23 HR, 66  RBI).
• Reggie bounced back in 1971 with what would become a typical Jackson year (.265, 32 HR, 80 RBI). He was 4 for 12 with two home runs in the 1971 ALCS. In 1972 Reggie batted .265 with 25 HR and 75 RBI. He batted .278 in the 1972 ALCS and stole home to score the tying run in the decisive fifth game. Jackson tore a hamstring during the play and had to miss the World Series. Reggie Jackson: He Dared the A's to Win - January 1973 Baseball Digest.
• Jackson was the AL MVP in 1973. He batted .293 and led the AL with 32 HR, 117 RBI, a .531 slugging percentage, and 99 runs scored. Reggie batted only .143 in the ALCS but he batted .310 and was the MVP in the 1973 World Series. When The Real Reggie Jackson Stood Up... - January 1974 Baseball Digest.
• Jackson batted .289 with 29 HR and 93 RBI in 1974. He batted .167 in the ALCS and helped the A's to their third straight title by batting .286 in the World Series. In 1975 Reggie batted .253 with 104 RBI and a league-leading 36 HR. Jackson batted .417 in the ALCS but the A's were swept by the Boston Red Sox.
• Finley knew that he wouldn't be able to sign Jackson when he was due to become a free agent after the 1976 season, so Jackson, Ken Holtzman, and a minor leaguer were traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Baylor, Mike Torrez, and Paul Mitchell. Jackson played for the Orioles in 1976 and batted .277 with 27 HR and 91 RBI. It was the only season between 1971 and 1984 in which Reggie wasn't an AL All Star. After the 1976 season Jackson signed a five-year, $2.9 million contract with the New York Yankees.
• Jackson had been wearing #9 with the A's, but Graig Nettles had the number for the Yankees. Reggie switched to #44 and both numbers are now retired by the respective teams. Jackson didn't get along with manager Billy Martin and they had several run-ins. The most notable run-in was during a nationally televised game in 1977 when Martin pulled Jackson out of the game in the middle of an inning for not hustling after a batted ball. Martin lunged at Jackson in the Yankee dugout and had to be restrained by coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard. The scene was shown on television, much to the delight of the Red Sox fans. Reggie also got himself in trouble with teammates for the infamous "straw that stirs the drink" quote. Even with all of the swirling controversy, Reggie batted .286 with 32 HR and 110 RBI as the Yankees won the World Championship. Jackson batted only .125 in the ALCS but batted .450 with 5 HR in the World Series (including the famous three home runs in game 6) and won the World Series MVP for the second time.
• Jackson had a candy bar (REGGIE!) named after him in 1978. He batted .274 with 27 HR and 94 RBI and helped the Yankees to their second straight World Championship. Reggie batted .462 with two HR in the ALCS and .391 with two HR in the World Series. Even As A Runner, Reggie Jackson Attracts Attention - January 1979 Baseball Digest.
• Reggie batted .297 with 29 HR and 89 RBI in 1979. He finished second to George Brett in MVP voting in 1980 and batted .300 with 41 HR and 111 RBI. Reggie batted .273 as the Kansas City Royals swept the Yankees in the 1980 ALCS.
• Jackson had an off-year in 1981 and batted .237 with 15 HR and 54 RBI. Reggie was having difficulties with Steinbrenner during the season (it was the final year of his contract). He batted .300 with two HR in the 1981 ALDS but hurt himself running the bases during the ALCS and missed most of that series and the first two games of the World Series. Reggie was cleared to play in game 3 of the World Series but was held out of the lineup by manager Bob Lemon (apparently under orders from Steinbrenner). Jackson played in the last three games of the World Series and batted .333 with a home run. After the season Reggie signed a five-year contract with the California Angels.
• Jackson helped the Angels to the AL West title in 1982 by batting .275 with 101 RBI and a league-leading 39 HR. Reggie batted .111 with 1 HR in the ALCS.
• Reggie had his toughest season in 1983, batting .194 with 14 HR and 49 RBI in 116 games. In 1984 he batted .223 with 25 HR and 81 RBI and in 1985 Jackson batted .252 with 27 HR and 85 RBI. On September 17, 1984 Jackson hit his 500th home run off of Bud Black of the Royals.
• The Angels won the AL West in 1986. Reggie batted .241 with 18 HR and 58 RBI during the regular season and .192 in the ALCS. Critics Taint the Glory Days of Reggie Jackson - August 1986 Baseball Digest. After the 1986 season Jackson signed a one-year contract with the A's.
• Reggie finished his career in 1987 by batting .220 with 15 HR and 43 RBI. Reggie Jackson Left A Special Imprint on the Game - November 1987 Baseball Digest. Jackson ended up with 563 career home runs and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993. Reggie Jackson: He Produced Best When in the Spotlight - April 1993 Baseball Digest.
• Reggie did various announcing jobs and had a few cameo acting appearances after his playing career. He parlayed his interest in classic cars into a string of auto dealerships in California. He also is a big trader in sports memorabilia. He is now a special assistant for the New York Yankees.
• Reggie's official website.
• Jackson was in 14 All Star games. His record in these games is as follows:
• 1969 0-2 with a BB (starting CF)
• 1971 1-1, HR, 2 RBI (pinch hitter)
• 1972 2-4, double (starting RF)
• 1973 1-4, double, RBI (starting RF)
• 1974 0-3, BB, 2 SO (starting RF)
• 1975 1-3, 2 SO (starting RF)
• 1977 1-2, SO (starting RF)
• 1978 (on the team but didn't play)
• 1979 0-1, BB (PH / RF)
• 1980 1-2, BB, SO (starting RF)
• 1981 0-1 (starting RF)
• 1982 0-1, RBI, sac fly (starting RF)
• 1983 (on the team but did not play)
• 1984 0-2, SO (starting RF)
• Liked to face: Jim Slaton (.333 with 7 HR in 66 AB); Jerry Augustine (.302, 6 HR in 43 AB); Clyde Wright (.315 with 6 HR in 73 AB)
• Hated to face: Rich Hand (.000 in 16 AB); Aurelio Lopez (.043 in 23 AB); Bret Saberhagen (.065 in 31 AB)

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REGGIE! bar commercial:

1976 Topps #480 - Mike Schmidt

• Mike Schmidt is widely considered to be the greatest third baseman in baseball history. This is his 4th-year card and he was coming into his own during this time. Schmidt was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1971. Mike was in the minors in 1971 and 1972 and was ready for the majors after batting .291 with 26 HR and 91 RBI for AAA Eugene. Schmidt batted .206 in 34 at bats as a late-season call-up in 1972.
• Schmidt became the Phillies' starting third baseman in 1973. His batting average was low (.196) and he struck out a lot (136), but he hit 18 home runs in 367 at bats. 
• Mike had his first big year in 1974. He made his first of 12 NL All Star teams and he led the NL with 36 HR and a .546 slugging percentage. Mike also led the NL in strikeouts with 138 and batted .282 with 116 RBI. Schmidt finished sixth in NL MVP voting (he would finish in the top-10 nine times in his career). Schmidt set the record (which still stands) for assists by a third baseman with 404. A Power Hitter Blossoms in Philly - September 1974 Baseball Digest
• Mike's stats dropped a little in 1975. He led the NL with 38 home runs and batted .249 with 95 RBI. Schmidt again led the NL with 180 strikeouts. 
• Schmidt led the Phillies to their first NL East title in 1976. Mike led the NL in homers (38) again, batted .262 with 107 RBI, made the All Star team, and finished third in NL MVP voting. Mike batted .308 in the NLCS. Schmidt hit four home runs in one game on April 17, 1976. Schmidt also won a Gold Glove award. He was the NL Gold Glove winner at third base every season from 1976-1984.
• Before the 1977 season Schmidt signed a five-year contract for $560,000 per year. In 1977 Mike batted .274 with 38 HR and 101 RBI. He was an All Star and finished 10th in MVP voting. Schmidt went only 1 for 16 in the 1977 NLCS. Mike Schmidt: The Complete Ballplayer - September 1977 Baseball Digest
• The 1978 season was probably Mike's worst year until 1988. He batted .251 with 21 HR and 78 RBI. Mike batted .200 in the 1978 NLCS. Schmidt bounced back in 1979 with 45 HR, 114 RBI, and a .253 average. Mike was also the starting 3B for the NL in the All Star game. Mike Schmidt: The Struggle for Hitting Consistency - October 1979 Baseball Digest.
• Schmidt's best year was probably 1980. He was the NL MVP in a unanimous vote and the World Series MVP as he led the Phillies to their first world championship. Schmidt also won the first Silver Slugger Award at 3B (he would win every year from 1980-1984 and again in 1986). During the regular season Mike batted .286, hit 48 HR to lead the NL, and also led the NL with 121 RBI and a .624 slugging percentage. Mike batted .208 in the NLCS but he batted .381 with 2 HR in the World Series.
• Mike was the NL MVP again in 1981. He batted a career-high .316 and led the NL with 31 HR and 91 RBI. Schmidt batted .250 during the 1981 NLDS. After the 1981 season Schmidt signed a six-year contract for $11.4 million.
• In 1982 Mike "slipped" to sixth in MVP voting as he batted .280 with 35 HR and 87 RBI. Mike Schmidt of the Phils: Player of the 80s! - May 1982 Baseball Digest. Schmidt was third in MVP voting in 1983 and helped the Phillies to the NL pennant. He batted .255 with a league-leading 40 HR and 109 RBI. Mike batted .467 (7 for 15) in the NLCS but went 1 for 20 in the World Series.
• Schmidt led the NL in home runs (36) and RBI (106) while batting .277 in 1984. In 1985 Mike spent most of the season at first base (the Phillies were trying out Rick Schu at 3B) and batted .277 with 33 HR and 93 RBI.
• Mike was the NL MVP for the third time in 1986. He batted .290 and led the NL in home runs (37) and RBI (119). Schmidt's last big season was in 1987. He batted .293 with 35 HR and 113 RBI. Mike Schmidt Climbs to No. 2 on Home Run Title Chart - March 1987 Baseball Digest
• Schmidt had rotator cuff problems in 1988 and missed the last seven weeks of the season. He batted .249 with 12 HR and 62 RBI. Mike started off poorly in 1989 (.203 with 6 HR in 42 games) and suddenly announced his retirement on May 28.  Farewell to Mike Schmidt, One of Game's All-Time Great Third Basemen - September 1989 Baseball Digest
• Schmidt was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995 with 96.5% of the vote. Mike Schmidt Joins Elite Hall of Fame Vote Leaders - April 1995 Baseball Digest. He was selected to the All-Century team in 2000. Mike comes to spring training to coach for a few weeks each season. He managed the single-A Clearwater Thrashers in 2004. Schmidt was the third base coach for the USA team in the World Baseball Classic in 2009. Mike sponsors the Mike Schmidt Bahamas Winner's Circle Invitational golf tournament that raises money for charity.
• Liked to face: Rick Reuschel (.403 in 129 AB); Bob Knepper (.402 with 9 HR in 82 AB); Jerry Reuss (.393 with 10 HR in 89 AB)
• Hated to face: Dennis Martinez (.000 with 5 strikeouts in 11 AB); Scott Garrelts (.050 with 10 strikeouts in 20 AB); Charlie Hough (.100 in 20 AB)
• Mike's All Star appearances:
• 1974 - reserve 3B - 0 for 0 with 2 BB
• 1976 - reserve 3B - 0 for 1
• 1977 - reserve - appeared as a pinch runner
• 1979 - starting 3B - 2 for 3 with a double and a triple
• 1980 - selected but did not play
• 1981 - starting 3B - 2 for 4 with a double and a home run
• 1982 - starting 3B - 0 for 1
• 1983 - starting 3B - 0 for 3 with 1 strikeout
• 1984 - starting 3B - 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts
• 1986 - starting 3B - 0 for 1 with 1 BB
• 1987 - starting 3B - 1 for 2
• 1989 - voted starting 3B by fans but didn't play (he had retired earlier in the season)
• Mike announces his retirement in 1989

• Mike's anti-cocaine PSA in 1986

1976 Topps #1 - Hank Aaron Record Breaker

This is the third straight Topps set to have Hank Aaron as card #1. It's a nice action shot of Hank in a Brewers uniform taking a swing.

The back is quite interesting. The list of players is a who's who of great hitters up until the mid seventies.

My first table top baseball game was Superstar Baseball. My father bought it for me when I was 8 years old in 1975. It had 96 of the greatest players who had played through the 1973 season. They missed a few (probably due to licensing issues), but they got most of them right. All of the players on the back except for two (DiMaggio and Goslin) were featured in the game. I had a lot of fun playing games with the old timers and learning about the history of the sport. Seeing the list of players on the back of this card brought back some memories.