1973 Topps, Ted Simmons

Card No. 85

Not until I sat down to write this post did I realize that Ted Simmons will become a baseball Hall of Famer during the summer of 2021....Simmons will be part of a Cooperstown class that also includes Derek Jeter, Larry Walker and union rep Marvin Miller....Ted authored more than 2,400 hits and batted .286 over 21 seasons....This is his third Topps card....His rookie card appeared in the 1971 set....His final Topps card came in '88....Ted enjoyed an All-Star campaign in 1973, batting .310 and collecting 91 RBIs.

*MK*

1966 Topps, Lou Brock

Card No. 125

When you think of the great speed merchants in the game's history, the name Lou Brock is absolutely among those summoned....Led the majors in stolen bases eight times....Ranks second all-time with 938 career steals....Acquired via trade from the Cubs in June of 1964....This is Brock's second Topps card as a Cardinal....His rookie card is featured in the '62 set....Lou's final Topps card came in '79....Swiped 74 bases in 92 attempts to lead baseball during the 1966 season.

*MK*

1965 Topps, Bob Gibson

Card No. 320

One of the most feared hurlers in the game's history, Bob Gibson graces the iconic 1965 Topps design for today's Jukebox hit....Is there any real argument that '65 Topps is the best of the decade?....Bob is one of 10 pitchers in baseball history to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same season (1968)....This is Gibby's 7th Topps card....His rookie can be found in the 1959 Topps set....A fine '65 season saw Gibson accomplish a pair of a firsts: a 20-win campaign and an N.L. Gold Glove.

*MK*

1983 Topps, Willie McGee

Card No. 49

One of my favorite rookie cards from the decade of the '80s most certainly would be this one of the great Willie McGree....From the off-centered action shot to the sneering inset photo to the backdrop of the Shea Stadium outfield wall, there's just so much to love....McGee was featured in every regular Topps set from 1983 through 1994....Interestingly, his last Topps card was in '94 even though he played through the '99 season....Led the Cards and finished 12th in the N.L with 172 base hits in '83.

*MK*