The 1974 Topps baseball card set was the 43rd series issued by Topps and featured 660 total cards. Highlighting the National League teams from that season, this article will take an in-depth look at the cards depicting players from the 1974 Washington Nationals.

Washington had endured several losing seasons in the early 1970s, but they began to turn things around in 1974 under manager Davey Johnson. Led by sluggers Mike Epstein and Willie Montanez, the Nats improved to achieve a 81-81 record, a substantial jump from their 63-97 mark the previous year. Their improvement was reflected in the ’74 Topps cards of their players.

Eleven Nats players received cards in the ’74 set. Leading off the team was #105 Mike Epstein. Epstein had emerged as Washington’s top power threat, belting 27 home runs and driving in 92 runs in ’73. His ’74 card photo shows him posed from the left side, bat on his shoulder. The reverse touts his recent power stats and large size at 6’4″, 225 lbs. Epstein would play five more seasons in D.C. before heading to other clubs to finish his career.

Next up was #139 Willie Montanez. After a solid ’73 campaign in which he hit .288 with 15 homers and 72 RBI, Montanez’s potential was on display on his ’74 card. The photo has him taking a big cut from the left side, showcasing his muscles. The stats on back note his big season the prior year. Montanez remained with the Nats through mid-’75 before being traded.

Third baseman Ron Pruitt received card #236. Pruitt had spent parts of five seasons with Washington and was their regular third sacker in ’74. His card features a headshot of the mustachioed Pruitt in batting practice gear. The back details the .249 average and 48 RBI he put up the prior season. Pruitt stayed with the Nats through 1976.

Shortstop Tim Foli, who like Pruitt spent much of his career in D.C., got card #297. Foli had just come off a rookie season in which he hit .258 with 3 homers and 40 RBI in ’73. His card shows him fielding a grounder, highlighting his skills at short. Stats from ’73 are shown on the reverse along with a note about his agility. Foli was a defensive standout for the Nats for years.

Veteran catcher Duffy Dyer received card #317. At age 34, Dyer backed up starter Bob Bartell in ’74 but still appeared in 64 games, hitting .262 in part-time duty. His card photo depicts him stretching for a throw at home plate. Details from ’73 and earlier are provided on back along with praise for his catch and throw abilities behind the dish.

The Nats’ starting rotation was represented by cards #396 for Jackie Brown and #526 for Steve Stone. Brown’s card shows him winding up for a pitch, and the back notes the success he had in ’73 with a 15-13 record and 3.53 ERA. Stone’s rookie card portrays him in his windup as well. At just 20 years old in ’74, big things were expected of Stone as he broke into the majors.

Relief pitcher Gerry Janes received card #479. Janes had emerged in ’73 with a 2.49 ERA in 55 games out of the Washington bullpen. His card depicts him catching a comebacker, demonstrating his skills both pitching and fielding. His ’73 stats and “money in relief” role are cited on the reverse. Janes enjoyed several solid campaigns for the Nats.

Utilityman Pete Mackanin, who could play multiple positions, garnered card #508. Mackanin had recently been acquired by Washington in a trade and hit .261 in limited action in ’73. His smiling face is seen in a headshot on his card. Impressive minor league stats from past years are highlighted on the back. Mackanin became a valuable reserve for the Nats going forward.

The Nats’ two-card finale was represented by outfielders #602 Larry Biittner and #660 Del Unser. Biittner had cracked Washington’s lineup as a semi-regular in left field in ’73, batting .253 with 21 RBI in 92 games. His card features a torso shot of him swinging amid greenery, perhaps at RFK Stadium. Details of ’73 and his smooth outfield defense are on back. Unser’s rookie card shows him ready at the plate in the on-deck circle. Projections were high for the toolsy Unser going into ’74 after a strong minors career.

In total, the 1974 Topps set provided a snapshot of the improving but still developing Washington Nationals of that season through these players’ cards. While still a ways from consistent contention, the beginning signs of the franchise’s rebuilding progress under Davey Johnson were reflected in both the stats and photos highlighted for the Nats on their ’74 cards. They represented the foundation being built towards the franchise’s turnaround from also-ran to respectability in the mid-to-late 1970s.