Ferguson Jenkins had a legendary career pitching in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1983. Known as “Fergie” to fans and teammates, Jenkins established himself as one of the game’s all-time great pitchers through incredible longevity, consistency, and dominance on the mound. His illustrious career is commemorated and celebrated through the baseball cards issued during his playing days.
Jenkins’ rookie card was issued in 1965 as part of Topps’ flagship set. Sporting the familiar curly haired Afro and youthful smile at age 21, the card captured Jenkins at the very beginning of his journey towards the Hall of Fame. While not particularly rare or valuable today, the 1965 rookie card serves as an important historical document chronicling Jenkins’ entrance onto the baseball card collecting scene.
It was during Jenkins’ early years with the Phillies that many of his classic vintage cards were released. The 1966, 1967, and 1968 Topps issues all depict Jenkins in Philadelphia Phillies uniforms and capture him establishing himself as a frontline starter in the National League. While common issues today, these cards were some of the first to feature Jenkins and represent some of his best statistical seasons of the late 1960s.
Jenkins was traded to the Chicago Cubs in November of 1971. His first Cubs card came in 1972 Topps and showed off his new team along with his growing mustache and beard. Jenkins would go on to have some of his finest seasons as a Cub, winning the Cy Young award in 1971. As a result, his Cubs cards from the 1970s like the 1973, 1974, and 1975 issues are some of his most iconic and sought after by collectors.
In 1976, Topps introduced its new design featuring a photo on a colored baseball patterned background. Jenkins’ card that year in a Cubs uniform is considered a classic from that memorable set. He continued to be featured prominently in the 1977, 1978, and 1979 issues as one of baseball’s elite pitchers of the decade. During this time, Jenkins also began appearing in the annual Traded sets issued by Topps to highlight players who switched teams.
After the 1979 season, Jenkins was shockingly traded to the Texas Rangers in what would be his final MLB season. His 1980 Rangers rookie card stands out for capturing “Fergie” in a new uniform at the very end of his career. Jenkins announced his retirement following the season, capping a Hall of Fame worthy career.
In 1982, Topps released its first annual alumnae set honoring retired players. Naturally, Jenkins was one of the stars featured in the set wearing his familiar Cubs cap. His inclusion paid tribute to all he accomplished during 19 seasons in the major leagues. Jenkins was later inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 on the strength of his career statistics and accomplishments.
To this day, Jenkins remains one of the most prolific pitchers in baseball history. The hundreds of baseball cards issued of him throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s stand as a visual timeline of his journey to Cooperstown. Whether it’s his classic rookie card, iconic Cubs issues, or later tribute cards, Jenkins’ collection of baseball cards serve to immortalize one of the game’s all-time great hurlers. They remain a valued part of any serious baseball card collection.
In summary, Ferguson Jenkins forged a legendary career on the mound during his 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. The countless baseball cards produced of “Fergie” from 1965 through the early 1980s capture every step of the way and allow collectors to relive and celebrate his illustrious playing days. As one of the finest pitchers in baseball history, Jenkins’ trading cards stand as an important collection within the hobby. They depict a true Hall of Famer and allow fans to appreciate his immense on-field accomplishments.
