Ron Reed was a professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1966 to 1979. Reed had a successful 14-year MLB career primarily playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. As a pitcher who enjoyed a long professional tenure, Reed has been featured on several baseball cards over the years in the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the notable Ron Reed baseball cards from his playing career and their historical significance.
One of Reed’s earliest baseball card appearances was in the 1967 Topps set, issued during his rookie season with the St. Louis Cardinals. Sporting the familiar horizontal design Topps used for most of the 1960s, Reed’s 1967 rookie card shows him in a St. Louis batting practice jersey. This is one of the more collectible early Reed cards for fans and historians interested in tracing his career progression. Prices for a well-centered 1967 Topps Ron Reed rookie in near mint or better condition can range from around $50-$100 depending on factors like centering and condition grade.
In 1969, Reed started to establish himself as a consistent arm out of the Cardinals bullpen. He appeared that year in the 1969 Topps set, again wearing a St. Louis BP jersey on his card but with added stats noting his 4-3 record and 2.20 ERA over 45 relief appearances as a key middle reliever. Though not rare by any means as there was high production of 1969 Topps cards, this presents an affordable pick up for collectors looking to showcase Reed’s development after two years in the majors. Examples grade around $15-25 in top condition.
Reed began the 1970s continuing his solid contributions to the St. Louis pitching staff. He was featured in the 1970 Topps issue, bringing more statistical updates with a 7-4 record and 2.85 ERA through 50 games/58 innings pitched as the Cardinals won the National League East that season. This card serves as a reminder of Reed’s importance as a multi-inning reliever during St. Louis’ pennant drive. Pricing is similar to the 1969 at around $15-25 for a pristine near mint example.
1971 saw a major career turning point for Reed, as he was traded midseason from St. Louis to the Philadelphia Phillies. His 1971 Topps card, in the familiar design of that decade, is significant as the first to feature Reed in a Phillies uniform after the deal. It provides a snapshot of his transition to a new club that he would spend the bulk of his career with going forward. Values for the 1971 Ron Reed Phillies card are competitive with his earlier St. Louis issues in the $15-25 range.
Reed emerged as Philadelphia’s full-time closer following the acquisition and really began to shine in 1972. That breakout campaign was duly noted on his 1972 Topps card, chronicling his sparkling 1.81 ERA, 12 saves, and All-Star selection as the Phillies’ shut-down relief man. This marked Reed’s breakout as an elite MLB reliever and the first card to really showcase him in that prime role. In top condition with sharp corners and colors, the 1972 stands out as one of Reed’s most aesthetically pleasing and desirable cards at $35-50.
1973 saw a World Series victory for Reed and the Phillies, as he logged an 11-3 record and 1.92 ERA in support of the championship club. His 1973 Topps issue commemorated that accomplishment, representing one of the more important years in Reed’s career and collecting value at $30-45 range due to the Series attachment. He followed up with similar production in 1974, chronicled on a Topps card priced similarly.
The mid-1970s then saw Topps introduce new vertical card designs that stood out versus the decades-long horizontal template. Reed received two vertical-style cards in 1975 and 1976 Topps issues during his continued Phillies tenure. Though not quite as rare as the key 1960s and early 1970s St. Louis/Philadelphia transition issues, these vertical cards help complete Reed’s full career Topps representation and can be found for $10-15 each.
Reed’s final Topps card came in the 1979 set, his last season in the majors before retiring at age 34 with 123 career saves over 842 relief appearances spanning 14 seasons. That finale vertical 1979 issue serves as a fitting bookend to trace Reed’s journey from rookie to respected veteran over a dozen big league campaigns chronicled in annual Topps releases. In top condition with a Phillies cap, it provides a complete look at the closer’s career for $15-25.
Beyond Topps, other notable Reed baseball cards include appearances in the otherwise challenging-to-find 1972 and 1973 Fleer sets during his breakout Phillies years. Both showcase striking action photos amidst the bold black borders of those experimental Fleer issues. In top shape, the 1972 Fleer Ron Reed card around $75-100 while the ’73 ranks slightly higher between $100-150 due to brand scarcity.
In summary, Ron Reed pitched 14 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1966-1979, primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. As a finesse reliever who enjoyed great success over a long tenure, Reed has been well-represented across multiple baseball card issues from the 1960s through 1979. Collectors can trace his career progression through affordable annual Topps releases, with key transitional and breakout Philadelphia period cards in the 1972-74 range offering standout value. Thus, Reed’s baseball cards serve as a fascinating lens into the journey of this durable pitching veteran.
