2001 Topps Archives Ron Cey certified auto
I don’t always buy autographed cards. But when I do I buy awesome certified autos of the Penguin for less than 5 bucks shipped.
1958 Topps Don Newcombe
I don’t know what’s going on with Don’s arm and leg on this card. Some sketchy 50’s production value. The back is pretty amazing though, even with the missing piece of cardboard.
Anyone who’s been to more than a few Dodger games has probably seen Newk around the stadium, sharply dressed in a suit and hat. One of my favorite Dodgers of all time, he’s apparently been a huge influence on Matt Kemp, who is one of my other favorites.
1980 Topps Steve Yeager
Fun facts about Steve Yeager:
• He’s the Nephew of Pilot Chuck Yeager
• LA Mayor Tom Bradley was the best man at his wedding
• He’s part owner of a Jersey Mike’s sandwich franchise.
• He and his family were on Family Feud for 6 days.
• He appeared nude in Playgirl in 1982 (I’ll let you google that one)
• In the 1981 World Series he was co-MVP with Pedro Guerrero and Ron Cey
• A piece of Bill Russell’s broken bat punctured Yeager’s esophagus while he was standing in the on deck circle. This led to the invention of the throat protector for catchers mask by Dodger trainer Bill Buhler.
Even more interesting stuff on his wikipedia
1953 Topps Roy Campanella
I was going to save this, to space out my “Dodgers Retired Numbers” posts. Instead I’m posting it in honor of Matt Kemp winning the Roy Campanella award.
Campy came up to play for the Dodgers the year after Jackie Robinson in 1948. He went to the All Star game every season except for his first and his last. He won the NL MVP award three times, the last time he won was the Dodgers first World Series Championship. A tragic auto accident cut his career short, leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. His number, 39, was retired by the Dodgers in 1972.
In 1953 Topps released their second baseball card set, and this year the entire set was hand painted, no photographs. Ever since I saw Campy’s card, I knew I had to have it. It’s absolutely beautiful. Recently I saw this one, in decent condition, mislabeled as “1959 Roy Campanella” and ended up winning the auction for less than half of what this card would normally fetch in this condition. Awesome right?
Panini Redesign 2
Taking it a step further from yesterday’s post what if we got rid of the wood grain all together? Take a step away from the ‘62 Topps vibe and towards a ‘65 or ‘75 colorful vibe. I’m available for freelance Panini.
1960 Topps Don Drysdale All Star
Another installment of my Dodgers Retired Nubmers cards. Also, like the manager cards from that year, another amazing subset from 1960 Topps. Don Drysdale’s number 53 was retired by the Dodgers in 1984 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was as fearless as he was feared on the mound, an amazing pitcher that might not fit into today’s game.
I got this card in the same lot as the 1969 Hank Aaron card. Quite a deal.
1952 Topps Chris Van Cuyk
You’ve seen the modern version of the ‘52, now here’s the real thing. I don’t care how unremarkable Chris Van Cuyk’s career might have been, look at that smile! The back of the card says he’s “Back in the BIg Leagues” and his smile shows it. “I’m going to be on a bubble gum card!” he probably said right after the picture was taken.
See how gorgeous these ‘52’s are? They used a coloring process called Kodak Flexichrome to color the b&w photos for the cards. Check out that flaming orange background! I traded for this card last year in the Topps Million giveaway. I think I gave up a ‘52 Del Crandall and some 70’s cards, what a deal.
Matt Kemp - Topps ‘52 Rookies.
My favorite modern cards are throwback/retro sets. I can’t help it. I appreciate a good refractor, but all the gloss and foil is just unnecessary. Retro design is where it’s at for me, especially in a sport where everything is held against what happened in the past.
I can’t help but think this card would be infinitely more cool if they lost the big ass “rookie” logo and made the dodgers logo two colors in a diamond instead of a circle, like it was in the actual ‘52 Topps cards.
I’ll let it slide though becuase it’s a rookie card of my second favorite current Dodger (sorry Matty.. gotta go with Kershaw).
1960 Topps Walter Alston.
In my quest to pick up a card from every Dodger with a retired number (so far you’ve seen number 19 Jim Gilliam, and number 32 Sandy Koufax) I picked up this amazing Walter Alston (retired number 24) card for 99 cents.
Sure it’s missing a few bits of cardboard, and there’s a smudge on the “S” but this card is in PERFECT condition as far as I’m concerned.
Sure the base 1960 Topps design is pretty, perfectly showing a transition in design style from the 50’s to the 60’s, but the manager cards from that year are just damn near perfect vertical artwork in a horizontal set. The pendants, the hand colored black & white photos, the cyan and red alternating letters. They might be one of my favorite Topps designs of all time. I’m so glad that I have a smiling Walter Alston to add to my collection.
1961 Topps Jim Gilliam & 1960 Topps Frank Howard Rookie
A good way to pick up cards for your collection is to bid on card lots. I like it because I can usually snag a few “keepers” for less than I’d pay individually, while picking up some bonus cards that can be used to trade. These two are my keepers. Even though the Frank Howard is creased, it’s very bright, and it has that gorgeous early 60’s design aesthetic. Besides, I don’t care about some creases and blurry corners. A well loved card as long as it’s not totally destroyed can be just as, if not more beautiful than a crisp PSA 9 slabbed card any day. And it allows collectors like me to score gorgeous cards at affordable prices.
The Jim Gilliam card was what drew me to the lot in the first place. One of my collecting goals is to get at least one card from every Dodger who has a retired number hanging in the pavilions at Dodger Stadium. I have 7 of the 10 players so far. You already saw my Koufax card, but I’m not telling you the rest because I want it to be a surprise. Maybe I’ll have some kind of guessing contest once I have a few more followers.
Oh, how much did I pay for these two cards plus the four other 50’s and 60’s cards that came with them you ask? $5.29 .. shipped.
