1976 Topps Tribute: Action

I built a set or two every year from 1985 to 1991. 1985 Donruss was my first. (I still have it, white edges and all) 1991 Fleer was my last. (That set was very yellow) I caught the bug again in college and decided to collect the set from my birth year, 1976. Ebay was fairly new to me and I bid like crazy. I bought lots of commons and singles of the big stars, like Brett and Eckersley. Last year I finally got the last 12 cards from a card show dealer. Its not in mint condition by any stretch but it is complete.

So here begins my tribute to this set starting with the action shots. These shots were few and far between in 1976. (I still remember the excitement of 1988 Score, all action all the time. That Tony Pena promo card was sweet!)

While head shots and posed action was the norm, these 2 cards stand out:

Dave Parker has either just hit a HR and is admiring his blast or he just swung and missed. Either way he looks incredibly cool. Parker finished 3rd in MVP voting in 1975, his first full season. (Joe Morgan won it with .327, 17 HR, 67 SB) If Jim Rice makes the Hall of Fame then so should Cobra.

Mickey Lolich probably had to get new pants after this one. Look at that back leg dragging the mound. Lolich was past his peak in 1975 but pitched well for a few more years. He was a beast in 1971. He pitched 376 inning!!!! and won 25 games. (He completed 29 games that year.) Vida Blue was arguably a little better but not by much.

Next Up: Posed Action Pitching