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RUSTY KUNTZ BASEBALL CARDS

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Rusty Kuntz had a long career as a backup infielder in Major League Baseball from 1974 to 1984. While he was never a superstar player, Kuntz developed a cult following among baseball card collectors thanks to his amusing surname. Let’s take a closer look at Kuntz’s playing career and explore why his baseball cards have become novelty items that still attract attention today.

Kuntz was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 1971 MLB draft out of the University of Toledo. He made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 1974 at age 24 but only appeared in 8 games. In 1976, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals, where he would spend the bulk of his career as a backup second baseman and third baseman. With the Royals, Kuntz garnered more playing time and hit .245 with 23 home runs and 108 RBI over parts of 7 seasons between 1976-1982.

However, Kuntz is best known for his postseason heroics with the Royals. In both the 1980 and 1981 ALCS, Kuntz had walk-off singles in decisive Game 5 victories over the Yankees that sent the Royals to the World Series. These clutch playoff moments helped cement his legacy in Royals history. They also elevated his profile on a national stage and increased interest in his baseball cards among collectors.

After the 1982 season, Kuntz signed as a free agent with the Detroit Tigers. He spent his final two MLB seasons in Detroit from 1983-1984 as a utility player and pinch hitter. He hit .225 with 5 home runs in 163 total games as a Tiger. Kuntz retired after the 1984 season at age 36, wrapping up a career where he batted .247 with 30 home runs and 266 RBI in 1179 total games over 11 seasons.

While Kuntz was never an All-Star caliber player statistically, his name made his baseball cards highly sought after novelties. Even today, rusty Kuntz cards in high grades can command prices far above what his career numbers would merit for most players. The rarity and amusement factor of his name have helped drive collector interest, especially as the hobby has expanded beyond just stats to include personal quirks and storylines associated with players.

Some of Kuntz’s key rookie and career defining baseball cards include his 1975 Topps, 1976 Topps, 1980 Topps, and 1983 Topps issues. High graded versions of these Rusty Kuntz rookie cards often sell for $50-$150 even though they were produced in large numbers. Pristine mint condition examples can reach upwards of $300-$500 due to scarcity and collector demand. The 1980 Topps card is especially coveted because it depicts Kuntz in his Royals uniform during the peak of his MLB career.

After retiring from baseball, Kuntz stayed involved in the sport by becoming a roving minor league hitting instructor and coach for the Royals organization from 1985-2002. He also briefly managed the AAA Omaha Royals club in 1993. This ensured Kuntz maintained his connection to Kansas City fans and collectors. Today at age 70, he still signs autographs at card shows and remains one of the more requested retired autograph signers due to his playing exploits and amusing name.

While Rusty Kuntz was far from the most prolific slugger or all-around star in MLB history, his simple yet amusing surname has boosted his baseball cards to near-icon status among collectors. Even though he produced largely as a backup player, Kuntz’s postseason heroics for the Royals also added to his folklore. The confluence of his name and clutch moments made him irresistible as a novelty collectible. After 40+ years, Rusty Kuntz cards remain a coveted curio that can sell for far more than comparably talented players due to intangible buyer interest in his legendary name.

RUSTY STAUB BASEBALL CARDS

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Rusty Staub was a major league outfielder and first baseman from 1963 to 1985. Though he played the majority of his career in the 1960s and 70s, Staub’s playing career spanned over three decades and he appeared on baseball cards from various issues throughout those years. Staub had a long and successful career batting .279 with 292 home runs and 1,466 RBIs while playing for six different teams. His unique career path and longevity in Major League Baseball makes his baseball cards an interesting collectors’ item today.

One of Staub’s earliest baseball cards comes from his rookie season with the 1963 Houston Colt .45s rookie stars issue. This card featured many of the top rookies from that season and is a key piece for anyone collecting 60s Houston Astros or early Staub cards. Staub had a solid debut season for Houston in 1963 batting .276 with 9 home runs and 45 RBIs in 137 games. The 1964 and 1965 Topps sets also featured Staub early in his career still as a member of the Astros organization.

After being traded to the New York Mets in 1969, Staub began appearing regularly on Topps and other mainstream baseball cards as a key member of the Amazin’s. The 1969 set in particular featured a traded version of Staub’s card showing him in a Mets uniform for the first time. Staub emerged as a star player for the Mets 1969 “Miracle Mets” World Series champions, batting .302 with 11 home runs and 50 RBIs during the regular season. Naturally, his success led to increased card popularity and value from that 1969 set which was one of the most popular and high demand issues of the late 60s/early 70s period.

In the 1970s, Staub continued putting up strong numbers for the Mets and receiving coverage in annual issues like 1970, 1971, 1972 Topps among others. He was a fan favorite known for his ability to come through in clutch situations. In 1973, Staub was traded to the Detroit Tigers and his baseball cards that year showed him in Tigers uniforms for the first time. He would remain with Detroit through the 1976 season before joining the Texas Rangers for a single season in 1977. Throughout this period, Staub appeared regularly in Topps, Kellogg’s, and other mainstream trading card sets wearing the uniforms of his respective teams each year.

After his year in Texas, Staub signed as a free agent with the Montreal Expos in 1978 at age 35. This kicked off a second major career renaissance for Staub, as he enjoyed some of his best statistical seasons playing for the Expos over the next five years through 1982. Staub became a beloved star in Montreal and his Expos cards from the late 70s period are still popular today with both Expos and Staub collectors. Stats-wise, Staub posted an .923 OPS for the Expos in 1979 at age 37 and hit over .300 in both 1980 and 1981 seasons proving he still had plenty left in the tank.

For the 1982 and 1983 seasons, the 42-45 year old Staub had brief stints with the Mets and Detroit once more before retiring initially after the 1983 season. He made one final comeback attempt with the 1985 Kansas City Royals at age 47, appearing as a pinch hitter and reserve. In total, Staub played professionally in baseball for parts of 23 seasons from 1963 to 1985. His baseball cards reflected this truly unique career arc spanning from his early Astros/Mets days all the way to his late 40s with Kansas City. Sets from all of the seasons he played, even in limited roles later in his 40s, maintained demand from Staub collectors eager to obtain a representation of each stage of his legendary playing tenure.

In the modern era, Staub’s complete collection of baseball cards remains an endeavor for dedicated collectors. Sets like 1968 Topps, 1973 Topps, and 1979 Expos are particularly valuable as they represent Staub’s key years with different franchises. PSA/BGS graded examples of Staub’s better known rookie and star years regularly sell in the $100+ range. Even his later 1980s cardsstill hold value given his status as a true “player’s player” who gave maximum effort for over two decades. For both Astros, Mets, Expos and Tigers fans, an complete run of Staub’s colorful baseball cards serves as a nostalgic visual retrospective covering the highest highlights of one of baseball’s true gamers.

In summary, Rusty Staub was a unique, durable player who put up productive numbers for multiple franchises spanning from 1963 all the way to 1985. His longevity and travels to different teams created baseball cards from various decades worth pursuing for dedicated collectors. Staub’s cards representing his breakout years with the “Miracle Mets” and late career renaissance with the Expos hold particular collector interest and value. His cardboard representations serve as a testament to the commitment and ability of this true professional who gave maximum effort for over two full decades in the major leagues.