The 1970 baseball card season marked the emergence of some future Hall of Famers as well as legendary players that defined their era. While 1970s cards may not fetch the same prices as the iconic 1952 Topps or 1954 Topps cards of the past, there were still some hugely valuable and recognizable issues that season that card collectors still seek out today. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top 1970 baseball cards that still hold significance among collectors.
arguably the most desirable and iconic 1970 card is that of Nolan Ryan’s first Topps card, issued during his second season with the California Angels. While he had already appeared in the 1969 Topps set as a member of the New York Mets, 1970 marked Ryan’s first card as an Angel. What makes this card so sought after is that it features a photo of Ryan in the process of unleashing one of his blazing fastballs, perfectly capturing the raw power and intensity of his pitching arsenal that would come to define his Hall of Fame career. Near-mint copies of this card in good condition can fetch upwards of $1,000 today.
Another extremely valuable 1970 issue is Johnny Bench’s rookie card. As arguably the greatest catcher in baseball history and a true icon of the Cincinnati Reds franchise, Bench’s Topps rookie card captured him at the start of his record-setting career that included two MVP awards before the age of 25. Near-mint copies of Bench’s definitive rookie card in good condition can sell for over $4,000. What makes his card even more desirable is the action shot that shows off Bench’s innate athleticism behind the plate.
While Nolan Ryan and Johnny Bench captured future legends in their early years, the 1970 set also saw the tail end of arguably the greatest home run hitter of all time. The 1970 Topps card of Hank Aaron’s final season with the Atlanta Braves perfectly commemorated the end of an era. It pictured Aaron in a Braves uniform, though he would be traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for his final two seasons before retirement. Well-preserved copies of Aaron’s last Braves card can sell for over $300 given his iconic status in baseball history.
One of the more unexpectedly high-valued 1970 cards surrounds a player who never reached superstardom but had a distinctive look that captured collectors attention – San Francisco Giants outfielder Garry Maddox. Known by the nickname “The Secretary of Defense” for his defensive prowess, Maddox’s rookie card featured a photo where his Afro hairstyle nearly consumes his entire head. This eccentric appearance made his card highly sought after by collectors even though he compiled just a .275 career batting average over 18 seasons. Near-mint copies can sell for over $900 today.
Perhaps the rarest and most valuable 1970 issue surrounds one of the most anticipated rookies of that season – San Diego Padres first baseman Nate Colbert. His rookie card, issued by the lesser-known but highly collectible Sporting News brand, has become one of the holy grails for 1970s baseball card collectors. Only about 50 copies of Colbert’s Sporting News rookie are known to exist in near-mint condition today. In 2019, one such high-grade copy sold for a staggering $21,000 due to the card’s extreme rarity and significance as a rookie issue for a player who slugged 36 homers that season.
While stars like Bench, Ryan, and Aaron highlight the desirability of 1970s cards, the set also featured other notable rookie cards that remain quite valuable today. One is Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro, who would go on to become a five-time All-Star and win 318 career games over 24 seasons in the majors. Near-mint copies of his classic sliding delivery pose on his rookie card can sell for over $700. Another is Oakland Athletics first baseman/catcher Gene Tenace, whose defensive prowess helped contribute to three World Series titles early in his career. Well-preserved copies of Tenace’s rookie can fetch $500.
Beyond rookie cards of future legends, the 1970 Topps set also featured iconic photos of the biggest stars of that era near the peak of their powers. This includes a classic action shot of Los Angeles Dodgers ace pitcher Don Sutton, whose control and durability made him a consistent 20-game winner for much of the 1970s. Near-mint copies can go for around $250 today. There was also Baltimore Orioles slugger Boog Powell, captured at the height of his power-hitting prowess in 1969 when he blasted a career-high 49 home runs. High-grade versions of his card sell for around $125.
While 1970s baseball cards may not reach the stratospheric prices of their 1950s predecessors, there were still some hugely important rookie cards, Hall of Famers, and all-time greats featured that season that maintain tremendous significance among collectors today. Legendary performers like Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench, Hank Aaron, and Garry Maddox highlight the era’s most desirable issues, while seminal rookies like Nate Colbert, Phil Niekro and Gene Tenace remain highly sought. When coupled with stars of their day like Don Sutton and Boog Powell, the 1970 Topps set endures as one conveying a special time in baseball history through the icons it captured.
