TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 70s

The 1970s marked an iconic era for Topps baseball cards. During this decade, Topps continued to reign as the dominant force in the baseball card market and produced some of the most visually appealing and collectible sets in the history of the hobby. From new rookie stars bursting onto the scene to Hall of Famers powering legendary dynasties, the 1970s featured captivating storylines both on and off the field that were perfectly captured in the cards produced each year by Topps.

Topps began the new decade in 1970 with their familiar yellow background design that had become synonymous with the brand. This set is highlighted by the debut of future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson’s rookie card. Although he had a solid rookie campaign with Oakland, Jackson’s early cards are still very affordable today compared to the astronomical prices commanded by his later 1973 and 1974 designs with the A’s after blossoming into stardom. Also found in the 1970 set are the rookie cards of future All-Stars like Buddy Bell, Dave Concepcion, Nolan Ryan, and George Brett.

In 1971, Topps utilized a photo collage style design on a blue background that made for an eye-catching visual change from the previous season’s look. This set brought the first cards of future stars Sparky Lyle, Ken Singleton, and John Montefusco. The most notable rookie in the ’71 set though was future home run king and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, whose early Cardinals issue can still be acquired for a reasonable price point compared to the astronomical values commanded by his later Phillies releases after cementing himself as the premier slugger of the 1970s and 80s.

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The 1972 Topps design returned to the standard player photo formula but featured a yellow-and-red color scheme that maintained the brand’s patriotic color palette established in prior decades. This set witnessed the debuts of stars like Jon Matlack, Larry Parrish, Garry Maddox, and Al Bumbry. The marquee rookie in this series though was future 500 home run club member and Hall of Famer, Eddie Murray, whose early Expos cards can still be found at affordable prices.

Topps took a creative approach to their 1973 design by framing each player photo within a gray border and blue background scheme. This helped give the set a crisp and clean aesthetic appeal. Hall of Fame rookie cards belonging to Dave Winfield, Fred Lynn, and Robin Yount made their first appearance in this revered Series 2 issue. Lynn’s performance that season, which culminated in the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, is still considered one of the greatest rookie campaigns in baseball history. Winfield also dazzled in his debut season en route to a long and decorated career. Their 1973 Topps RCs remain two of the most desirable and valuable in the hobby.

In 1974, Topps again opted for a bordered photo design but transitioned to a brown woodgrain treatment around each image. The flashy color was a welcomed change of pace from prior designs. This set brought the initial cardboard translations of young stars like Bert Blyleven, Rollie Fingers, Gary Carter, and Larry Hisle among other household names of the late 1970s. Mark Fidrych also had his seminal 1976 “Bird” season rookie card featured in this fun and affordable product for collectors.

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Topps kept the woodgrain border concept going in 1975 but lightened up the color scheme with a lighter brown tone. The photos also seemed to pop a bit more against the refreshed background. Future Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg, Bruce Sutter had their rookie cards debuting in this aesthetically pleasing issue, as did stars like Oil Can Boyd, Rick Sutcliffe and Sid Monge. This set remains a budget-friendly way to add 1970s RC content to a collection.

The high-action cards of the 1976 Topps release utilized a blue and yellow color theme with some of the most creatively cropped and composed player photos of the decade. This set includes rookie introductions of Donnie Moore, Gary Matthews, Dave Parker, Rich Gossage, Rod Carew in a Twins uniform, and a very young Thurman Munson in Yankee pinstripes. By this point, Munson had already established himself as one of baseball’s premier catchers and leaders on a rising New York dynasty.

For their 1977 designs, Topps transitioned to a navy border enclosing each photo along with a light blue backdrop. This was one of the sharper and more impressive aesthetic concepts of the decade. Rookie cards in this set featured the likes of future ’79 World Series hero Willie Randolph, Paul Molitor, Bobby Grich, Bob Horner, Ted Simmons and Phil Garner among others. A career year by the Dodgers’ Reggie Smith is also represented in this classic cardboard collection.

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The 1978 Topps issue featured a red, white and blue color scheme around each player image, coinciding with the nation’s bicentennial celebration that year. This patriotic design highlighted an exciting rookie class headlined by Lou Whitaker, Pete Rose, Jr., Steve Rogers, Dave Stieb, and Larry Parrish’s Indians issue after earlier cards with the Rangers. Tom Seaver also returned to the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati with this eye-catching design after several seasons with the White Sox.

Topps closed out the decade in 1979 with their final thin, hole-punched cards of the 20th century. An assortment of yellow, blue and red trim surrounded each photo on a white backdrop. Notable rookie introductions included Phil Niekro’s nephew Joe, Tony Pena, Steve Sax, Carmelo Martinez, and Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith in their very early stages. All these players-turned-stars have rookie cards that remain reasonably affordable for collectors to add to their short prints collection even decades later.

In summary, Topps baseball cards throughout the 1970s cemented the company as a vital piece of baseball culture and history. From Hall of Fame rookie debuts to career years from established legends, there was no shortage of storylines captured in these memorable 1970s issues. For anyone seeking to build a collection covering the decade that helped transform baseball into a global pastime, Topps 1970s releases offer a cost-effective point of entry to relive the sport’s golden age through collectible cardboard.

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