The 1970 OPC baseball card set was released during one of the most exciting seasons in Major League Baseball history. While not as famous or valuable as some other vintage card sets from the 1970s, the 1970 OPC cards provide a fascinating snapshot of the sport during that memorable year.
The 1970 season saw huge cultural and social changes impacting baseball and wider American society. It was the first year of league expansion that added teams in Kansas City and Seattle. It was also shortly after the 1969 “Miracle Mets” World Series victory that helped revive baseball’s popularity after years of declining interest among younger fans. More prominently, the entire country was still engulfed in debates over civil rights, Vietnam War protests, and youth counterculture movements.
Against this turbulent backdrop, the 1970 season itself produced many compelling storylines and performances. Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” stormed to the best regular season record at 101-60 behind future Hall of Fame talents like Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, and Joe Morgan. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles three-peated as World Series champions led by future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson and Frank and Brooks Robinson. Individually, Philadelphia’s Pete Rose achieved the rare feat of winning the National League batting title with a .316 average.
It was in the midst of this that the 1970 O-Pee-Chee card set was produced. Often overshadowed by the famous ‘75 Topps and ‘77 O-Pee-Chee sets that featured many of the same players, the 1970 OPC set still provides a neat historical record of the period. Some key aspects of the 1970 OPC set include:
Size: It featured a total of 520 cards printed across 13 sheets of 40 cards each. Roster sets at the time typically included all major and minor league players.
Design: Cards featured a solid orange background color with black and white photos. Player names and positions were printed at the top while team logos appeared at the bottom. Straightforward but effective design.
Rookies: Notable rookies included future Hall of Famers Dave Winfield, George Brett, and “Pops” Stargell. Other future stars like Bill Madlock and Don Gullett also had their rookie cards.
Short Prints: Some cards were printed in much lower quantities, including those of stars like Bench, Aaron, Robinson, and Yastrzemski. These have gained value with collectors.
Team Sets: All 24 MLB clubs of 1970 were featured. This provides a who’s who of that season’s lineups for reference.
Air-Brushing: As with many vintage sets, photos were sometimes airbrushed to remove blemishes or update players to newer uniforms seen mid-season.
Condition Issues: Being nearly 50 years old now, most 1970 OPC cards show some level of wear from corners to centering. Higher grades command big premiums.
Valuable Stars: Superstar cards like Bench, Aaron, Yastrzemski, and Robinson have grown substantially in secondary market prices in recent decades since the set was first issued.
Affordability: While premier star rookie cards can sell for thousands, common players and short prints can often be acquired for less than $10 even in higher grades due to ample surviving population. This makes it an attainable classic set for many collectors.
While not in the same iconic class as some other vintage collections, the 1970 O-Pee-Chee baseball card set provides a memorable record from what was undoubtedly one of the most culturally-tumultuous and historically-notable seasons in Major League Baseball’s long tradition. For researchers, students of the sport and entertainment memorabilia collectors, it endures as an interesting curio linking that pivotal time to our own through inexpensive, time-capsule cardboard photographs. Even after 50 years, it continues fueling our fascination with the heroes and stories from a bygone sporting era.
