The University of Arizona Wildcats baseball program has a long and storied history dating back to 1904. Over the decades, many memorable players and teams have worn the Arizona uniform, leading to the production of baseball cards featuring Wildcat standouts. While the early years of the program did not see many players featured on cards, that changed in the post-World War II era as the hobby of collecting sports cards boomed in popularity.
Some of the earliest Arizona players to appear on cards included pitcher Gus Zernial and outfielder Tony Wrona in the late 1940s and 1950s. Zernial, who played for the Wildcats from 1946-1948, went on to have a long major league career and was featured in sets by Bowman and Topps during his time in the big leagues. Wrona, a star for Arizona from 1950-1952, also had a brief MLB cup of coffee and was included in 1952 and 1953 Topps sets during and shortly after his professional career.
Through the 1950s and 1960s, a handful of other former Wildcats occasionally showed up in regional sets produced by companies like Pacific and Fleer targeting the western United States. Players like pitcher Jim Moeller and outfielder/first baseman Larry Gura, who both starred in the late 50s/early 60s, received limited card issues. But it wasn’t until the late 1960s and 1970s that Arizona baseball truly broke through and had stars that were featured more prominently in national mainstream releases.
The 1968 College World Series champion Arizona squad spearheaded this increased exposure for the program. Led by future MLB all-star and coach Jerry Kindall, that team’s top players began appearing in the 1968 Topps set and others. Kindall himself received multiple card issues as his professional career progressed. Teammates like pitcher Jim Barr, catcher/outfielder Dave Winfield, and outfielder/pitcher Joe Henderson all gained individual cards highlighting their Wildcat playing days.
The 1970s saw Arizona establish itself as a true national power on the diamond, and cards followed. Star pitchers like Jim Beattie and Ron Hassey became frequent fliers in the annual Topps and Donruss college sets of that era, immortalizing their contributions to the Wildcat program. Beattie in particular received numerous cards as his pro career took off and he was one of the first true “prospect” style players collectors followed. Other 1970s standouts like shortstop Larry Gura, outfielder Ken Phelps, and pitcher Bob Melvin also earned individual cards.
By the 1980s and 1990s, annual college baseball card sets were commonplace. This allowed legions of Wildcat greats to receive due recognition in cardboard form. Two-time Golden Spikes Award winner Terry Francona headlined the pack of Arizona stars appearing in those years. Francona’s leadership of the 1980 CWS championship team led to many cards in his playing days and beyond as his managing career flourished.
Other 1980s Arizona standouts like pitcher/outfielder J.J. Putz, first baseman/outfielder Joe D’Agostino, outfielders Scott Erickson and Casey Candaele, and pitchers Frank Stipe, Chip Hale, and Robby Hammock all gained individual cards in sets from Donruss, Fleer, and Score. The 1990s saw shortstop/third baseman Tony Batista, pitcher/outfielder George Arias, and pitchers Mike Morgan and Greg Swindell among those Arizona greats to receive multiple card issues.
Into the 2000s and beyond, as college baseball’s popularity has continued to rise, Arizona standouts have remained prominent in card sets. Players like CWS Most Outstanding Player Trevor Bauer, pitchers Daniel Schlereth and Brad Mills, infielders Steve Selsky and Bobby Brown, and outfielders Tony Lopez and Jon Gaston are just some of the more recent Wildcat stars who have been featured individually. And team sets highlighting championship squads have provided opportunities for entire rosters to be included.
Through the decades, Arizona Wildcats baseball cards have served to commemorate the individual performances and team accomplishments that have made the program one of the most storied in college baseball history. From early stars like Zernial and Wrona to modern greats like Francona, Batista, and Bauer, the tradition of excellence in Tucson is captured forever through the cardboard collecting hobby. As long as the Wildcats continue winning, their players will surely remain prominent in the annual college card releases for years to come.
