Jim Wynn, nicknamed “The Toy Cannon”, was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1963 to 1977. Best known for his time with the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, Wynn was a power hitter known for being relatively small in stature at just 5’9″. He had some of the quickest hands in baseball which allowed him to generate incredible power from his compact swing. Wynn’s career is commemorated through the baseball cards issued during his playing days and after his retirement.
One of the most notable Jim Wynn rookie cards come from his 1963 season with the Astros. That year, Topps issued Wynn’s rookie card as part of their main 1963 baseball set. The card features a photo of Wynn from his playing days with the Astros in the blue and orange uniforms of the time. The front of the card shows Wynn from the shoulders up in a action pose. The back provides stats from Wynn’s rookie season where he hit .234 with 8 home runs in 92 games. This iconic rookie card of Wynn is highly collectible today thanks to its status as documenting the beginning of Wynn’s MLB career. Graded mint condition of this rookie typically sell for thousands of dollars online.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Wynn was entering his prime years with the Houston Astros and becoming a true power threat in their lineup. This led to many memorable cards being issued by the major baseball card companies. In 1968 Topps issued a card that showed Wynn crouched down in the batter’s box, displaying his athletic stance and strength. This card, along with others from the 1969, 1970, and 1971 Topps sets help chronicle Wynn developing into an all-star and 30 home run threat annually. Highlights from these Wynn cards include a career-high stats blank from 1971 when he hit .301 with 37 home runs and 111 RBIs while leading the league in total bases.
Wynn’s trade from the Astros to the Dodgers in 1972 resulted in his first cards appearing in Dodgers uniforms. The 1972 Topps set included Wynn in Dodger blue with arm outstretched, ready to swing. He enjoyed continued success in Los Angeles, hitting over .300 with 25 home runs in 1973. That season was documented on a card where Wynn is kicking his back leg up after a powerful swing. Through the mid-1970s, Wynn blasted home runs for the Dodgers on cards from Topps, Kellogg’s, and other companies as his career wound down.
After retiring following the 1977 season, Wynn was recognized for his accomplishments through more baseball cards. In 1979, Topps included Wynn in their Dodgers flashback set honoring Dodgers greats of the past. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Wynn had special occasion cards issued when he was inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Dodgers Hall of Fame in 1997. Even modern card sets pay homage to Wynn’s career. Ultimate Collection from 2009 features a rare aerial photo of Wynn hitting at the Astrodome.
In summary, Jim Wynn created an impressive baseball legacy over 15 MLB seasons. Cards issued during his playing days and in retrospective sets showcase the powerful career of “The Toy Canon.” For collectors today, Wynn’s rookie card from 1963 holds iconic status as documenting the start of a career that included over 300 career home runs and an all-star appearance. Whether from his Astros or Dodgers days, Jim Wynn cards remain popular with both collectors and fans appreciating one of baseball’s true sluggers from the 1960s and 70s. His cards provide a visual history of Wynn’s impact on two franchise’s histories.
