Bill Madlock was a four-time batting champion and All-Star third baseman who played in Major League Baseball from 1971 to 1988. Known for his consistency and contact hitting abilities, Madlock put together a solid 18-year career and established himself as one of the game’s top third basemen during the 1970s and early 1980s. As one of the premier players of his era, Madlock has several valuable and sought-after baseball cards that continue to attract collectors and card enthusiasts.
One of Madlock’s earliest and most iconic baseball cards comes from his rookie season in 1971 with the Chicago Cubs. Sporting a thick mustache and batting helmet, Madlock’s 1971 Topps card (#480) captured him in his debut season with the Cubs. While not considered one of the premium rookie cards from that year due to Madlock being a late bloomer, his ’71 Topps rookie has steadily grown in demand among collectors in recent years. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies in top condition have sold for over $1,000, showing the rising value of Madlock’s first card issued.
Madlock’s breakout season came in 1973 when he won his first batting title with a league-leading .343 average for the Pirates. His 1973 Topps card (#397) highlights this accomplishment, labeling him as the NL batting champ. High grade copies have sold for $300-400 due to the significance of the card commemorating Madlock’s first batting title. His 1973 Topps Traded card is also coveted by collectors looking to represent Madlock’s full ’73 season split between the Cubs and Pirates.
Madlock was a four-time NL batting champion between 1974-1977, making cards from those seasons highly valuable. His 1974 Topps card (#425) touts his second consecutive batting title. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $500. The 1975 and 1976 Topps issues similarly promote Madlock’s batting titles on the front of the cards. High grade versions fetch $400-600 due to his sustained excellence at the plate.
Perhaps Madlock’s most iconic baseball card comes from his 1977 season with the Pirates. That year, he won a career-high .354 batting average to claim his fourth batting title. His 1977 Topps card (#359) is one of the most visually striking in the set with a colorful blue and yellow border. It also boasts his elite batting stats on the back. Pristine PSA 10 copies have sold for well over $1,000 given the rarity of the card in top condition and its significance in memorializing Madlock’s 1977 campaign.
After leaving the Pirates following the 1979 season, Madlock spent time with the Giants, Cubs, and A’s before finishing his career back with the Dodgers in 1988. Cards from his later playing days with different uniforms hold value but are not as coveted as his 1970s Pirates issues. Still, high grade copies of his 1980 and 1981 Topps Giants cards can sell for $150-250 since he was still a productive player in his 30s.
In total, Madlock appeared on over 15 different Topps baseball cards throughout his career spanning the early 1970s to late 1980s. As one of the top hitters of the 1970s and a four-time batting champion, his cards from that dominant stretch with the Pirates are the most valuable in the hobby. Whether it’s his early Cubs rookie card or iconic 1977 Topps issue, pristine Madlock cards continue to attract collectors decades after his playing days ended. As one of the game’s premier third basemen during baseball’s peak era of the 1970s, Madlock’s on-field accomplishments are commemorated through his valuable and historically significant baseball cards.
