Jimmy Wynn, also known as “The Toy Cannon”, was an American left fielder and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball who played for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros (1963–1973), Los Angeles Dodgers (1974–1976), and Milwaukee Brewers (1976–1977). Wynn was one of the top sluggers of his era due to his strength and speed and had at least 20 home runs in eight seasons. He was known for his long home runs and intimidating batting stance. Given his compact, muscular build and considerable power, Wynn’s nickname “The Toy Cannon” was very apt. Wynn was a key player for the Astros during the 1960s as one of the franchise’s first stars.
Wynn’s baseball card collecting popularity stems from his playing career from 1963-1977, primarily with the Houston Astros during their early years in existence. Wynn quickly became one of the faces of the franchise and one of the most popular players for Astros fans during the 1960s and early 1970s. Wynn remains one of the most renowned Astros players in franchise history. His baseball cards from his playing days, especially during his Astros tenure, resonate well with collectors today.
Some of Wynn’s most notable and sought-after baseball cards include:
1964 Topps #309: Wynn’s rookie card was issued by Topps in 1964. It features a classic action shot of Wynn swinging the bat. The 1964 Topps set is one of the most iconic vintage card sets and remains very popular with collectors. Wynn’s rookie card in particular holds significance as documenting his early career with the expansion Colt .45s/Astros franchise. High grade examples can fetch hundreds of dollars.
1965 Topps #261: This card captures Wynn in the on-deck circle and was issued during his second MLB season. It’s a key mid-career Astros card that helps show Wynn’s progression. Pricing ranges from around $15-50 depending on condition.
1968 Topps #269: This features one of Wynn’s more memorable images, an intense close-up of him glaring at the camera mid-swing. Issued midway through his Astros tenure, it exemplifies Wynn’s powerful hitting approach. Higher grade copies can reach $100+.
1970 Topps #249: Issued during one of Wynn’s best offensive seasons, this card depicts him signing an autograph and captures his popularity in Houston at the time. It’s among the best selling Wynn cards on the secondary market.
1973 Topps #248: Wynn’s last card featuring him as an Astro. It shows him rounding third base and commemorates the end of his highly productive run with the franchise. Sentimental value makes this a must-have for Astros fans and collectors.
Beyond Topps, Wynn also had cards issued in the 1960s/1970s by other manufacturers like Fleer and Kellogg’s that hold significance. Fleer rookie/rookie variants tend to attract the highest prices due to the company’s short run in that era. International Caricature Co. also produced a rare 1968 issue that depicted Wynn in stylized illustration form.
In the post-Astros portion of his career, Wynn had a handful of notable baseball cards issued as well:
1974 Topps #225: Documenting Wynn’s first season with the Dodgers after a late-1973 trade from Houston. Seen diving back to first base, it marks his transition to a new team.
1975 Topps #304: May be Wynn’s most visually striking card, with an action image of him swinging amid an explosion of dirt after sliding into home plate.
1976 SSPC #451: Highlights Wynn’s short stint with the Milwaukee Brewers late in his playing days. It’s one of the scarcer final career cards for collectors to seek.
In the modern era, Wynn has also been featured in retrospective and legacy sets from manufacturers like Topps, Upper Deck and Leaf over the past 20+ years. These help to keep the former star’s memorable playing career in the minds of newer collectors.
In summary, Jimmy Wynn’s baseball cards are some of the most historically significant and desirable among issues featuring 1960s/70s Astros players. As one of Houston’s original superstars and franchise icons, cards documenting Wynn’s time there will always resonate strongly for collectors with ties to the Astros franchise’s early years. Both vintage and more modern Wynn cards remain popular on the secondary market at levels commensurate with his career achievements and cultural impact on Astros fans and collectors.
