The University of Iowa Hawkeyes have a rich history of baseball that stretches back over a century, leading to the production of numerous vintage baseball cards featuring Hawkeye players from decades past. Although not quite as extensively collected as major league cards, Iowa baseball cards hold nostalgia and significance for longtime Hawkeye fans. Let’s take an in-depth look at the history behind these cards and some of the most noteworthy players to appear on them over the years.
Some of the earliest known Hawkeye baseball cards date back to the 1930s and 1940s, during the early days of the sport’s golden age. Two prominent pre-World War II issues that featured Iowa players were the 1936-37 Diamond Products and 1939-40 Play Ball sets. Dick Storm, an Iowa pitcher from the late 1930s squad, appears in the Diamond Products set amongst other Big Ten standouts of that era. Over in the Play Ball issue, shortstop Harry Barnicle represented the Hawkeyes amongst a roster of college stars. Both Storm and Barnicle went on to professional careers after starring for Iowa.
Jumping ahead several decades, the 1950s saw a boom in baseball card production as the modern card collecting hobby began to take shape. Two sets from this period, 1954 Bowman and 1959 Topps, contained cards of Hawkeye players. 1954 Bowman included lefty hurler Bill Zban, who posted a stellar 2.18 ERA during his time in an Iowa uniform. Meanwhile, the 1959 Topps issue spotlighted slugging outfielder Bob MacVicar, who slugged 12 home runs for the Hawkeyes that year.
The 1960s gave way to even more Iowa representation in the heyday of tobacco baseball cards. Notable Hawkeye players featured during this decade included Chuck Hartenstein (1964 Topps), Ron Gustafson (1966 Topps), and Dean Borges (1968 Topps). Hartenstein was a talented two-way player who played both catcher and third base for Iowa. Gustafson racked up wins on the mound, capturing All-Big Ten accolades. And Borges, who played multiple infield positions, went on to coach the Hawkeyes later in his career.
Iowa continued producing pros throughout the 1970s as well. National card issues from that era like 1972 Topps, 1973 Topps, and 1977 Topps all highlighted future Hawkeye standouts. Probably the most renowned Iowa alumnus from this period was pitcher Jim Sundberg, best known for his long MLB career primarily with the Texas Rangers. Sundberg’s athleticism made him a fan favorite, as evidenced by his featured 1970s rookie cards. Other notable 70s Hawkeyes to receive cards included pitchers Mike Forman (1973 Topps) and Dan Gladden (1977 Topps).
The 1980s transitioned the sport into the modern era and card collecting along with it. Rookies who starred for Iowa and later found MLB success, such as Barry Bonnell and Ron Oester, appeared on prominent sets from the latter half of the decade like 1986 Topps and 1989 Upper Deck. Bonnell enjoyed a 12-year career in the bigs primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter. Meanwhile, Oester made a strong MLB starting pitching debut with the St. Louis Cardinals after leaving Iowa. Both made successful transitions from the college ranks.
The last three decades have continued to produce veteran Hawkeye players who received later baseball cards documenting their professional accomplishments. Jamie Carey, a catcher and outfielder from the early 1990s Iowa squad who played six MLB seasons, has 1991 Upper Deck and 1993 Fleer Ultra cards among others. More recent standouts to graduate to MLB stardom include pitcher Tyler Pill (2014 Topps Chrome), starter Sean Manaea (2015 Topps), and All-Star reliever Jared Watson (2017 Topps Chrome Update). All three southpaws found big league success after first showing promise on the mound at Iowa.
While their production may have slowed in recent years compared to eras past, dedicated Hawkeye baseball card collectors can still track down remnants of Iowa’s proud hardball history. Veterans showcased in heritage sets revisiting pre-1980s designs, as well as modern parallels highlighting past pros, help preserve the legacy of these notable alums. With the program’s rich 126-year history, there are countless other former Iowa standouts who still await the potential for future cards as well. The tradition forged by these past players helps push the current Hawkeyes to carry on strong play for years to come.
In wrapping up, Iowa baseball cards serve as a reminder of the link between the program’s storied past and bright future. From Dick Storm’s earlier efforts in the 1930s right up to recent draftees just beginning their pro journeys, these cardboard collectibles tell the ongoing story of Hawkeye players who performed at the highest collegiate level before moving on to the pros. Armed with strong student-athletes and a fervent fanbase, the future remains bright for both Iowa baseball on the field and the hobby surrounding it off the diamond.
