Mini-Project: A Celebration of Topps (HOF Pitcher Edition)

[cjraleigh]

I am just getting into postwar vintage and have started a project to celebrate the rich history of Topps.

After doing some research, it is wonderfully coincidental that every Topps set from the landmark 1952 all the way to 1981 can be represented by every Hall of Fame pitcher who played during that time.

That’s right, each and every year from 1952-81 can be represented by a different HOF pitcher. One per year for 30 straight years with NO omissions, NO repeats (player or year)…and NO rookies. It really is remarkable when you think about it.

Added bonus for avoiding rookies…the dreaded multi-player RC.

Nearly 1/3 of this run would have been affected:

Niekro, Hunter, Jenkins, Carlton, Seaver, Ryan, Sutton, Fingers, Morris

Now, each player can be showcased on their own as they deserve.

Only Lee Smith’s 1982 RC breaks this amazing streak (again, no rookies).

Since my main focus is on each Topps design rather than grade, value, or RC status, it will not only help me keep my budget in check, but will also help me appreciate vintage cards for what they are…awesome.

My lineup will be based on eye appeal, imagery, and significance of the year to the player if possible.

I’m looking forward to sharing my progress on this unique project with you all! I only plan on picking up 1-2 per month, so slow and steady.

Thanks for stopping by!

[ronaldkosh]

Very cool - look forward to seeing the progress!

I don't really care about rookie cards myself. It's often cooler to have a card from a player's prime, at a fraction of the price.

[cjraleigh]

Thanks! Should be a lot of fun and not overly difficult.

For comparison, there are roughly 60 non-pitcher Hall of Famers during this 29 year span, so as incredible as that would be, there would be a ton of overlap (repeat years).

Just something special about exactly 30 pitchers representing those 30 years so perfectly.

[cjraleigh]

The journey starts today! My first vintage mail day and I can instantly relate to what all the fuss is about.

Card 1 of my 30 card celebration of vintage Topps
Progress: 3.4% complete

1971 Jim Palmer #570
PSA 7
Palmer’s 6th of 19 base Topps cards

Why his ‘71? Vivid color, beautiful contrast. Classic pose of the eventual winningest pitcher of the decade and the emerging ace for that early 70’s juggernaut. Palmer just came off his 1st All-Star nod here, along with his first 20 win season and of course a World Championship. Also, this card features him in the middle of a historic season as one of only two 20 game winning quartets in major league history. For me, a helluva card to kick this project off.

Runner-up year for Palmer: 1977 - Classic Palmer delivery. Distinctly remember having his ‘77 card in my shoebox as a kid.

Runner-up player for 1971: Tom Seaver - Tom Terrific sizing up yet another victim. Go ahead, make his day.

*While not all years/players will have this much narrative, not all make me grin as much as this one. However, they will all be integral to my celebration of the entire vintage Topps era and the Hall of Fame pitchers who represent them.

Thanks for stopping by!

https://i.ibb.co/TMcYf7L/7-F5-BF205-05-FB-42-B1-8912-E629-F33-D02-CD.jpg

[Gustomania]

That’s a great looking Palmer, great choice and awesome PC!!

[VanLingoMungo46]

Great card. I love the 71s. The Bob Gibson card is another great one from that set, as is the Nolan Ryan. Palmer is somewhat underappreciated in terms of his card values.

[Above the Rim]

Very nice for the grade, for sure !

[cjraleigh]

Card 2 of 30
Progress: 7% complete
Average grade: 7

1969 Fergie Jenkins #640
PSA 7
Jenkins’ 4th of 19 base Topps cards

Why his ‘69? Tough 7th series from an understated design…perfect for a tough and understated Hall of Famer.

This classic early card of Fergie shows the focus and determination of a young pitcher who had already established himself as the ace of the franchise by this point. Not only that, but he was already regarded as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball as well. His best was yet to come.

Fergie had just come off his second straight 20 win season en route to an amazing 6 straight 20 win campaigns. The NL strikeout leader in ‘69 with 273, Fergie also set the modern Cubs record that year, only to best his own record by 1 the following season…a post-1900 mark that still stands. Naturally, Fergie remains the all time Cubs strikeout leader by a comfortable margin

Runner-up year for Jenkins: 1975 - Outstanding action shot of Jenkins in full stride. Would later learn he had just recorded the greatest pitching season in Texas Rangers history the year before (look it up!). Another memorable card I had as a kid.

Runner-up player for 1969: Tom Seaver - I know, I know…I already had him as the ‘71 runner-up. But could there be any choice other than Seaver in ‘69? I promise it won’t always be him.

https://i.ibb.co/LZwWpkW/FC2-C44-A4-9-E5-B-4143-AC93-8-E431264439-D.jpg

[Gustomania]

Love it and the Jenkins looks awesome!!

[cjraleigh]

Well, it has been over a month since my last update, but am glad to add these two to the project today!

I’ve also cut out the fluff narrative and just focused on the key points.

The next one en route is a heavy hitter (player stature, not grade… although I think you’ll appreciate the centering as much as I do).

Thanks for stopping by!

Card 3 of 30

1977 Dennis Eckersley #525
PSA 9
Pop. 257
His 2nd of 23 base Topps cards

Runner-up choice for 1977: Nolan Ryan
Runner-up choice for Eckersley: 1980

https://i.ibb.co/CtRJtKb/FAA21-B20-FAA5-414-A-84-BF-F637738-CEDD6.jpg


Card 4 of 30

1979 Jack Morris #251
PSA 9
Pop. 64
His 2nd of 17 base Topps cards

Runner-up choice for 1979: Rich Gossage
Runner-up choice for Morris: 1981

https://i.ibb.co/Cz43XBh/39-C24256-11-BC-49-EB-98-E9-CF6-E38-D391-B2.jpg

[discodanman45]

Great cards you added! I think you should put all the fronts of the cards in the year order on your original post. I am stuck in only collecting rookies, wish I started something simpler like this! I am working in the 1960's now and things are getting real expensive real quickly!

[cjraleigh]

Great cards you added! I think you should put all the fronts of the cards in the year order on your original post. I am stuck in only collecting rookies, wish I started something simpler like this! I am working in the 1960's now and things are getting real expensive real quickly!

Thanks and good idea! I’ll add them to the OP when I have a chance.

Sticking to RCs is always going to be most preferred, so good luck! I accept the fact my theme has very limited growth potential, but it is a fun way to celebrate the players and designs without shattering my budget.

[cjraleigh]

One of the bigger pickups to this project! More than happy with the lesser grade. The centering just makes me smile.


Card 5 of 30

1963 Sandy Koufax #210
PSA 5
His 9th of 12 base Topps cards

Runner-up choice for 1963: Don Drysdale
Runner-up choice for Koufax: 1965
Why his ‘63? This is the year he became Koufax. First Cy Young, NL MVP, World Series MVP, Triple Crown, 1st No-hitter, Peak Single Season WAR, etc…

https://i.ibb.co/BZmc2YK/23-C94284-6-DF0-463-D-ABCC-1-D8-FC9-E696-CA.jpg

[discodanman45]

Absolutely gorgeous 5! Great to see the collection progress. Do you have a checklist of the cards you want? I surf eBay a lot and if I ever see one with great eye appeal I can send you a PM.

I feel ashamed of myself. I was looking through my raw vintage cards and I don't have one solo Koufax card. :doh:

[cjraleigh]

Absolutely gorgeous 5! Great to see the collection progress. Do you have a checklist of the cards you want? I surf eBay a lot and if I ever see one with great eye appeal I can send you a PM.

I feel ashamed of myself. I was looking through my raw vintage cards and I don't have one solo Koufax card. :doh:

Thanks! Will send you a PM.

[Toddball]

This is my kind of collecting goal! Awesome idea. You have to plan it out, but it’s also attainable, and allows you to feature some lesser known years. I also wouldn’t mind looking to see if I have any that could help you out.

[cjraleigh]

Another nicely centered addition to the project.

Card 6 of 30

1959 Early Wynn #260
PSA 7
His 6th of 9 base Topps cards

Runner-up choice for 1959: Jim Bunning
Runner-up choice for Wynn: 1958
Why his ‘59? This is the year he won the Cy Young Award at the tender age of 39. He would remain the oldest winner for 45 years until Roger Clemens won at age 41. To Wynn’s credit, though, he was voted the top pitcher in all of the majors in ‘59.

https://i.ibb.co/nmMPr12/294865-AE-D0-EC-424-A-9312-92324-A432-E87.jpg

[cjraleigh]

Dreaded double post.

[discodanman45]

All six have amazing eye appeal! Love how this is coming together!

[IgnatiusJReilly]

This is one of the coolest card projects I have ever heard of. So much fun and the cards all have top notch eye appeal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cjraleigh]

With all due respect to Hunter, this one isn’t likely going to excite. But like all the others, it is an important part of my vision with this project.

Card 7 of 30

1978 Catfish Hunter #460
PSA 9
His 14th of 15 base Topps cards

Runner-up choice for 1978: Steve Carlton
Runner-up choice for Hunter: 1974
Why his ‘78? Truth be told, Hunter’s ‘78 was a victim of the logistics required to assemble this run. Not every player/year pairing will be optimal. I originally wanted to feature him in his prime as an Athletic during his Cy Young winning season of ‘74. However, I ultimately settled on someone else. This will be one of the few players shown at or near the end of his career.

Nonetheless, Hunter’s penultimate card in ‘78 shows him in the twilight of his career as a member of the World Champion Yankees. He even won the Series clincher in ‘78 over my beloved Dodgers as he battled newly diagnosed diabetes.

https://i.ibb.co/RP1NkcD/5-B998-B67-DC95-4-A0-F-AD28-927-A33198385.jpg

[Birdman284]

How does Kaat's getting into the HOF affect this?

Does it allow you to add a 1982 Kaat and 1983 Lee Smith?

Really cool idea by the way!

[cjraleigh]

How does Kaat's getting into the HOF affect this?

Does it allow you to add a 1982 Kaat and 1983 Lee Smith?

Really cool idea by the way!

Thanks! It has been a lot of fun so far.

Kaat is already part of the 30 player “checklist”. Haven’t settled on a year yet, but it will be way before ‘82. Only shot to keep the run going would be if guys like Tommy John or Luis Tiant get in. They both have an ‘82 card. That would open the door for an ‘83 Smith.

May eventually include all Topps era HOF pitchers, even if the streak is broken. Time will tell.

[Birdman284]

Thanks! It has been a lot of fun so far.

Kaat is already part of the 30 player “checklist”. Haven’t settled on a year yet, but it will be way before ‘82. Only shot to keep the run going would be if guys like Tommy John or Luis Tiant get in. They both have an ‘82 card. That would open the door for an ‘83 Smith.

May eventually include all Topps era HOF pitchers, even if the streak is broken. Time will tell.

I would think both John and Tiant will eventually get in - but it could be a while since the different committees don't vote each year.

And good luck with the 1953 Paige card if you go for all the HOF pitchers that have a Topps card!

[cjraleigh]

And good luck with the 1953 Paige card if you go for all the HOF pitchers that have a Topps card!

Paige will take up a huge portion of the budget for this, but I’m committed to it. Just might take awhile…

[IgnatiusJReilly]

Paige will take up a huge portion of the budget for this, but I’m committed to it. Just might take awhile…

It's worth it! That 1953 Topps Paige card is an absolute classic!

[cjraleigh]

More low hanging fruit, and technically not eligible for this forum, but no less important to the project.

Card 8 of 30

1980 Bruce Sutter #17
PSA 9
His 4th of 13 base Topps cards

Runner-up choice for 1980: Nolan Ryan

Runner-up choice for Sutter: 1978

Why his ‘80? One of the baseball’s elite closers by 1980, this is his first “action” card, and shows him coming off his Cy Young winning ‘79 campaign…the 3rd reliever ever to do so. This would be his last year as a Cub, but donning Cardinal red did not hinder his dominance.

https://i.ibb.co/zXypLny/61-AE000-B-A85-B-4850-B1-FA-4-C092-C579730.jpg

[cjraleigh]

Love this one.

Card 9 of 30

1961 Hoyt Wilhelm #545
PSA 7
His 9th of 20 base Topps cards

Runner-up choice for 1961: Don Drysdale

Runner-up choice for Wilhelm: 1954

Why his ‘61? Just a tough high series card of Old Sarge flashing his legendary knuckleball. He’d ride that epic floater until he was nearly 50 and all the way to Cooperstown as the first reliever ever enshrined.

https://i.ibb.co/QdN7b3M/6281616-F-DA4-C-4-CFB-8-B96-1-A3572-FC7-A76.jpg

[cjraleigh]

Expanding to modern so all Topps era HoF pitchers will be included.

This is a vintage thread, so won’t showcase any post-1980 on their own.

Doesn’t make them any less important to the vision of this project, though.

First up, 1984 Lee Smith!

[cjraleigh]

Great mailday for this project.

One vintage and 5 modern (okay, junk wax) additions. Those 5 do have a lot going for them, though: low pop, mostly early career, and strong representation from this unforgettable era. With grading fees they way they are, seems hard to justify slabbing too many more of them.

Card 11 of 40

1973 Tom Seaver #350
PSA 7
His 7th of 21 base Topps cards

Why his ‘73? Peak Seaver, pure and simple. 2nd Cy Young. Career high WAR. 2nd World Series appearance. 7th consecutive All-Star appearance. On and on. My first of “The Big 3” 70’s guys.

https://i.ibb.co/NW1sNYk/34-A54-AA0-5-E39-4688-9761-5429-C22-CB376.jpg


Cards 12-16 of 40

1988 Greg Maddux PSA 10: His 2nd of 23 base Topps cards
1989 Tom Glavine PSA 10: His 2nd of 21 base Topps cards
1992 Mike Mussina PSA 10: His 1st of 18 base Topps cards (but not a RC)
1997 Mariano Rivera PSA 10: His 2nd of 19 base Topps cards
2000 Pedro Martinez PSA 10: His 8th of 16 base Topps cards

[discodanman45]

With grading fees they way they are, seems hard to justify slabbing too many more of them.

Grading fees will be much, much cheaper in 2023. We might see $12 bulk next year. Grading capacity will be insane and there will be no backlogs! :flex:

[cjraleigh]

Grading fees will be much, much cheaper in 2023. We might see $12 bulk next year. Grading capacity will be insane and there will be no backlogs! :flex:

Good to know! Nonetheless, non-RC base modern will surely take a backseat.

[cjraleigh]

The modern/junk wing is nearly complete. Just need a 1990 Randy Johnson.

Cards 17-19 of 40

1991 John Smoltz PSA 10: His 3rd of 22 base Topps cards
1994 Trevor Hoffman PSA 10: His 2nd of 18 base Topps cards
2001 Roy Halladay PSA 10: His 4th of 16 base Topps cards

[IgnatiusJReilly]

Such a cool project! Great job!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gustomania]

Great cards my friend and love this idea!!!

Looking forward to seeing you complete the journey!!

[cjraleigh]

Thank you!

Today’s arrival marks the halfway point to my project.

Other than the 1990 Johnson, it’s all vintage from here!

Card 20 of 40

1981 Rich Gossage #460
PSA 9
His 9th of 18 base Topps cards

Why his ‘81? Forget what the card back says…Goose was one of the most dominant relievers in the game ever. Not even up for debate, really.

Coming off another spectacular season in 1980, Goose led the AL in saves for a 3rd time (and the majors twice)…good enough for both a top 3 Cy Young and MVP vote. He was on pace to be even better in 1981 before the strike had other plans. A ridiculous 0.77 ERA with 20 saves in 32 appearances.

I love his ‘81 card because it is a great action shot of Goose in top form. Only his ‘79 tops it, in my opinion. The bold colors and All-Star banner only adds to the appeal.

If there’s a downside, it’s my first non-lighthouse PSA slab. Somehow, I don’t mind at all. Just thrilled to bookend the vintage wing to the project with this one.

https://i.ibb.co/74TxgsV/C10-F4694-D44-C-46-B8-8-EB6-B45-DB11386-A3.jpg

[cjraleigh]

Back on the vintage track with today’s arrival.

Card 21 of 40

1970 Don Sutton #622
PSA 8
His 5th of 23 base Topps cards

Why his ‘70? Early unassuming card of Mr. Durability himself. These were lean post-Koufax/Drysdale years for the Dodgers, but Sutton was as steady and reliable as they come. Him never spending a single day on the disabled list is a testament to that. The 4th member of the 300 win/3,000 strikeout club, he is still the all time Dodgers leader in wins and strikeouts (but not for long if Kershaw has any say in the matter).

https://i.ibb.co/BB3SzXN/A4596-F3-A-E8-ED-4-FDE-A067-4-CE9025-A636-D.jpg

[bpc3qh]

This is awesome! I appreciate the "no rookies" rule, although as a Nolan Ryan RC devotee I'm curious where else you go with him...

[cjraleigh]

This is awesome! I appreciate the "no rookies" rule, although as a Nolan Ryan RC devotee I'm curious where else you go with him...


I appreciate it! Have 3 more on the way. The final 16 will probably take some time, but I’m in no rush.

For Ryan, he’ll definitely be part of the core 1952-81 stretch.

So, it’ll come down to 72, 74, 75, or 76.

[cjraleigh]

Cards 22 and 23 arrived in the past week.

1967 Gaylord Perry PSA 7 (his 6th of 22 base Topps cards)
1968 Phil Niekro PSA 8 (his 5th of 24 base Topps cards)

Current Progress: 23/40 (58% complete)

[cjraleigh]

After a 3 week hiatus, cards 24-26 are en route:

1965 Bob Gibson PSA 6 (his 7th of 17 base Topps cards)
1966 Jim Kaat PSA 7 (his 7th of 24 base Topps cards)
1990 Randy Johnson PSA 10 (his 2nd of 22 base Topps cards)

The remaining 14 are mostly big names (Paige, Spahn, Feller, Ford, Carlton, Ryan, etc…), so progress has slowed as I knew it would. No rush.

In the meantime, thought I’d share a few pics of the custom box I’m storing them in. Just a single compact place to house the entire project. It holds 50 slabs, so plenty of room for as long as I’m around. 40 current Topps era HOF pitchers, 3 future locks (Kershaw, Verlander, Scherzer), and still room for 7 more if/when they ever get the call (Clemens, Schilling, Tommy John, Luis Tiant, Sabathia, Greinke, etc…).

All in all, I’m having a great time with this. Just wish I had started sooner!

https://i.ibb.co/WBqCr4D/D8-BAB535-8909-4766-BEC2-4-FB9-D8-F2117-C.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/9TM8HjP/ADD36-FE5-E33-B-4-EB5-9-D14-A9507090820-D.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/DbshTDy/D670702-A-90-AE-4-AAA-B3-E6-E16984629124.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/VVgmRnY/8-BE18429-BA64-42-DA-AFC2-56-BF65852-B7-D.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/r7nGNj1/02-BBEC73-9-DF7-463-F-8-E1-F-541-F194537-F2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/d27VLQ8/858-ED7-AB-70-A9-487-E-AA49-1-D4-F5-F7-BDA6-B.jpg

[cjraleigh]

Update below.

[cjraleigh]

Update below.

[discodanman45]

Great storage idea and awesome new cards for the collection! Glad to see you are still going strong!

[VanLingoMungo46]

This has been a great project to follow. Your storage case is so next level. Did you built it yourself or buy the case and add the wrappers? Either way, kudos to you sir.

[Giroux]

Awesome project, enjoyed reading through this.

[cjraleigh]

Thanks for stopping by!

I bought the box and just added the printed wrappers for a little themed decor.

Anyway, home stretch now with the final 9.

Would love to expand to include the pre-Topps guys, but even low grade cards from their playing days would be cost prohibitive in the end.

I thought about going with the 50s Callahans or 60s Fleer/Golden Press (still vintage), but it’s just not the same...plus the fact that not everyone even has a card from those sets.

Still open to ideas to eventually capture all 84 (and counting):

https://baseballhall.org/explorer?name=&team=All&induction=All&pos=12&state=All&born%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&bats=All&throws=All

[cjraleigh]

Updates below.

[cfern023]

Seems like a fun collection to go through and decide who you want to go with each year. The Marlins fan in me would have gone with 1993 Trevor Hoffman as he wasn't a rookie, and shows a new expansion team. They look great with the slabs!

Can't wait to see the finished product, and its progress.

[cfern023]

Thanks for stopping by!

I bought the box and just added the printed wrappers for a little themed decor.

Anyway, home stretch now with the final 9.

Would love to expand to include the pre-Topps guys, but even low grade cards from their playing days would be cost prohibitive in the end.

I thought about going with the 50s Callahans or 60s Fleer/Golden Press (still vintage), but it’s just not the same...plus the fact that not everyone even has a card from those sets.

Still open to ideas to eventually capture all 84 (and counting):

https://baseballhall.org/explorer?name=&team=All&induction=All&pos=12&state=All&born%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&bats=All&throws=All

Maybe Modern cards, like 2021 Topps Heritage that have older players in it- think a 2021 Topps Heritage Babe Ruth?

[VanLingoMungo46]

One thing this project illustrates --- and this is not meant as a slight on the OP, because it's a great project ---- is just how awful the Topps product was in the 1990s.

[cjraleigh]

Seems like a fun collection to go through and decide who you want to go with each year. The Marlins fan in me would have gone with 1993 Trevor Hoffman as he wasn't a rookie, and shows a new expansion team. They look great with the slabs!

Can't wait to see the finished product, and its progress.

Thank you! It has been a lot of fun. I almost went with the ‘93 Hoffman, but just preferred the action shot on the ‘94. ‘93 will be Schilling, assuming he makes it in.

Maybe Modern cards, like 2021 Topps Heritage that have older players in it- think a 2021 Topps Heritage Babe Ruth?

That’s a nice idea, but I really want to stick to cards when they were active. On the other hand, it would continue the “Celebration of Topps” theme.

One thing this project illustrates --- and this is not meant as a slight on the OP, because it's a great project ---- is just how awful the Topps product was in the 1990s.

No slight taken…could not agree more! Some really lean times, for sure. I do have a soft spot for the ‘90 and ‘92 for some odd reason, though.

[cjraleigh]

With today’s arrival, the 70’s are complete.

Card 33:

1974 Steve Carlton

https://i.ibb.co/wKJs9zn/C7-A786-F4-81-EF-4-AD6-A8-E7-D1-EF7-BC5-D1-D1.jpg


Current Progress: 33/40 (83% complete)

https://i.ibb.co/0mK2Rbb/752-D7933-400-C-49-A5-B6-A7-C280-DF733-C4-D.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/r7DHs5y/B6-E64153-9702-449-F-8-EB9-CD70-DDABB650.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/vHdNr2R/59-D2-FC42-CD94-47-F9-A31-B-3413-C52-FBCEE.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/SVD7dcG/02073-D1-A-9-CF3-43-EE-AA35-3-BBEED108152.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/QQ2RHBc/B6-D5-D2-EC-AE6-E-47-D0-8-AD1-F3842-AF2-EF0-C.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/5F81XY4/E57-B2254-8694-4811-A874-E48977-FC86-EE.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/v3ZWny5/62-B686-B3-1247-461-E-9-E20-129-C16-CA640-D.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/yV1dzHJ/619465-F3-0081-4764-BB76-04-B1-B5-F5115-D.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/FVckTq2/59-A4-FEDF-38-E3-4-A45-8100-1-B4-D595-FC073.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/7vkTSNy/88918837-0-BD8-4-F5-F-AAE3-5118-F8314-C24.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/JsGdvNx/F83-FF620-2-BF5-4-BDD-A015-D8-E13-A0-FBBC8.jpg

At Large

Bob Feller
Don Drysdale
Hal Newhouser
Jim Bunning
Robin Roberts
Satchel Paige
Whitey Ford

[Gustomania]

Looking awesome, love that Carlton!!!!

[cjraleigh]

Looking awesome, love that Carlton!!!!

I appreciate it!

I like how the decade’s heavyweights are grouped together back-to-back-to-back.

73 Seaver
74 Carlton
75 Ryan
(apologies to the greatest 70s pitcher of all, Jim Palmer)

Same goes for the 60s:

63 Koufax
64 Marichal
65 Gibson

[Gustomania]

Hah I wasn’t going to say anything but since you opened that up I thought ….Maddux Glavine Smoltz should be 88 89 and 90.

LOL

[cjraleigh]

Hah I wasn’t going to say anything but since you opened that up I thought ….Maddux Glavine Smoltz should be 88 89 and 90.

LOL

That would have been great… but just couldn’t warm up to the 91 Randy Johnson in his warm up gear (haha, I’ll show myself out).

Countless ways to tackle the theme, and that’s been half the fun.

[cjraleigh]

Thanks to gustomania, I just learned about PSA’s cool digital album feature.

Totally free and non-competitive (unlike their registry).

So, I moved everything over this afternoon. A nice upgrade, IMO!

https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/showcase/hofers/celebration-topps-hall-fame-pitchers-1952-present/album/21532

[Gustomania]

Album looks amazing and all the cards together make a great collection, can’t wait to see it completed!!

[cjraleigh]

After a 7 week hiatus, cards 34 and 35 have arrived.

https://i.ibb.co/XD8SqmB/5020-EFD8-F204-4990-9-E20-0-C27-AD339853.jpg

5 to go:

1952 Robin Roberts
1953 Satchel Paige
1956 Bob Feller
1958 Whitey Ford
1960 Jim Bunning


Updated PSA Album:

https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/showcase/hofers/celebration-topps-hall-fame-pitchers-1952-present/album/21532

[Gustomania]

Very nice examples, inching closer and love seeing the dedication!!!

[AmericanFrog069]

Really cool idea and beautiful execution! I'm glad Drysdale and Koufax are back to back ;-)

[cjraleigh]

Really cool idea and beautiful execution! I'm glad Drysdale and Koufax are back to back ;-)


Thank you! It's only fitting that I kept those two together...in a Cy Young winning season for both no less!

Going through a predictable dry spell as this comes to a close. Got a nice 58 Ford en route, but picky over the last 4. Most in my price range are poorly centred. Patience!

Otherwise, we'll see if Schilling, Clemens, or maybe Billy Wagner join the club in the coming weeks.

[cjraleigh]

Here's the '58 Ford.

36 down, 4 to go....

https://i.ibb.co/WD494Nm/A77-BD6-A6-4260-4398-9024-4-C284-AA98-B8-B.jpg

[cjraleigh]

Long lag between pickups, but here are 2 more to share.

38 down, 2 to go.

52 Feller
53 Satchel

A Celebration of Topps: HOF Pitchers 1952-Present (https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/showcase/hofers/celebration-topps-hall-fame-pitchers-1952-present/album/21532)

https://i.ibb.co/TR5gRKf/IMG-2490.jpg

[cjraleigh]

The finish line is in sight after today's pickup.

39 down, 53 Paige to go!

https://i.ibb.co/56GCCwK/IMG-2655.jpg

[cjraleigh]

So the finish line took much longer than I thought it would.

3 years after starting with the '71 Palmer and 15 months after picking up the '52 Feller, I finally landed a Satchel I was happy with in my budget.

Will post a final group photo soon...until the next inductee(s). Sabathia and/or Wagner perhaps?

Thanks for looking!

https://i.ibb.co/fXt1VgX/3256332.jpg