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JIM WYNN BASEBALL CARDS

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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.

JIMMY WYNN BASEBALL CARDS

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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.

EARLY WYNN BASEBALL CARDS

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Early Wynn was a legendary right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1939 to 1963. Known as “Gus” to his teammates, Wynn had a long and storied 24-year MLB career spent primarily with the Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians. He was a tough as nails workhorse on the mound who consistently logged big innings each season. Wynn’s impressive career statistics and accomplishments have made his vintage baseball cards highly sought after by collectors today.

Wynn made his MLB debut in 1939 with the Senators at just 18 years old. It was not until the late 1940s that the first Early Wynn baseball cards began to be produced. In the post-World War 2 era as the hobby of baseball card collecting started to take off, card manufacturers like Bowman, Topps, and Leaf began featuring more complete rosters of players. This led to Wynn’s earliest cardboard appearances in sets from 1947-1949. These are now considered some of the key early vintage Wynn cards for collectors.

In the 1947-1948 Bowman sets, Wynn has a distinctive clean-shaven look without his trademark mustache. He is shown in a Senators uniform during his early years with the club. The 1948 Bowman card is particularly notable as it was the last year Bowman produced baseball cards before discontinuing production for several decades. Wynn also appeared in 1948 and 1949 Leaf sets wearing a Senators cap. These early Leaf issues had a distinctive green-tinged design that collectors seek out. Additionally, Wynn’s rookie card is from 1949 Topps, depicting him as a Senator during his age 27 season. It stands out for being one of the earliest Topps cards in the hobby.

After being traded to Cleveland in 1955, Wynn began hitting his stride as one of the game’s top pitchers. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 1959 after leading the league with 23 wins. This breakout season coincided with Wynn receiving significant card coverage in the 1959 Topps and Post sets. Topps captured Wynn’s dominance on the mound that year, showing his intimidating wind-up. The 1959 Post card stands out for its vertical photo orientation and artistic design elements. It remains a highlight among Wynn’s many vintage issues.

In the early 1960s, Wynn continued faring well on playoff contending Cleveland clubs. He made his third and final All-Star team in 1962. Topps and Post cards from 1960-1963 featured Wynn’s later career in an Indians uniform. By this point, he had grown out his signature mustache that became his recognizable trademark look. The 1961 and 1962 Topps are particularly cool for collectors as they show Wynn mid-pitch with his distinctive high leg kick. He is also wearing an Indians cap on these popular mid-career representations.

At the age of 41 in 1963, Wynn had one of his best seasons with 23 wins and a 2.53 ERA. It was a testament to his incredible durability and excellence late in his playing days. Naturally, the ’63 Topps captured this late-career resurgence with an iconic photo of Wynn windmilling a pitch. He retired after the season having racked up exactly 300 career wins, then a record for right-handed pitchers. Wynn’s 1963 Topps card stands as one of the most identifiable representations of the hurler for its significance in chronicling the end of his Hall of Fame tenure.

After his playing days, Wynn remained involved in baseball through coaching and scouting. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1972. Wynn passed away in 1999 at the age of 79, but his legacy lives on through his incredible on-field accomplishments and the vintage baseball cards issued during his stellar two-decade career. Whether it’s his early Bowman and Leaf issues or his dominant 1959 and 1963 Topps cards, Early Wynn’s collectibles remain a highlight in the hobby. They showcase the evolution and milestones of one of the game’s all-time great right-handed pitchers.