The Forever Topps Binder Project: Page 3 (1969 - 1977)

We have made it through two pages of my Forever Topps Binder Project, and now we are gearing up for Page 3.  This is the final page that is completely full of sets that were released before my birth year.

The Forever Topps Binder Project
Page 3 (1969 - 1977):

1969:

Current card in binder:  #21 Jose Santiago

Goal card(s):  #95 Johnny Bench, #533 Nolan Ryan

For the first two pages of this series, I listed my "goal cards" as some of the big rookies and/or stars from a given set.  I think that trend will mostly continue for this particular page, but that's mostly because I don't have any particular personal connection to the given sets or the players featured within the set.  I fully expect that by the time we get to the 90s, I'll be looking for specific cards/players that mean something to me (and probably won't be the "biggest names" in the set).  That said, there's also something cool about owning an authentic Mickey Mantle card or something, so I think the idea is still valid even if it will probably never happen!  Finally, I should mention that it was pointed out in the comments on the previous post that some of the star rookie cards aren't actually in the same general layout as most of the base cards in a given set.  I do think that is a valid argument and a good reason for me not to necessarily go for the split cards or special subsets, so I may rethink some of those choices in the future!

1970:

Current card in binder:  #389 Jim Shellenback

Goal card(s):  #500 Hank Aaron, #660 Johnny Bench

The 1970 set is one of my least favorite Topps sets from the 70s.  I don't care for the boring grey borders, and I the script player name I actively dislike (a big reason why I also never cared for the 1990 Donruss set).  Poor Shellenback here, he doesn't help things with his hatless, lost turtle look staring at the top of his badly miscut baseball card.

1971:

Current card in binder:  #473 Gary Wagner

Goal card(s):  #26 Bert Blyleven, #250 Johnny Bench, #400 Hank Aaron

From one of my least favorite sets of the 1970s to one of my favorite sets of the decade, the black bordered 1971 set is a sharp-looking set, even if it does show signs of wear quite easily.  I certainly don't have the budget to collect full sets from the 70s (or earlier) but if I did, the 1971 set would be quite high up on my list as a possible set to work on!

1972: 

Current card in binder:  #134 Carl Morton

Goal card(s):  #433 Johnny Bench, #435 Reggie Jackson

Normally, I tend to gravitate toward the brightly colored sets, but for whatever reason, I never could get behind the 1972 design.  I think the set is probably a nice representation of the 70s era in terms of design and aesthetic, but since I didn't live through that era, the effect is a bit lost on me.  

1973:

Current card in binder:  #27 Bill Gogolewski

Goal card(s):  #174 Rich Gossage, #230 Joe Morgan

I have to admit that I enjoy this image of Hill Gogolewski.  The palm trees, the blue sky, and the crappy baseball field in the background all make for a lovely image.  The '73 set also has a wonderful base design - in fact, I prefer it over a similar design that will come up shortly on this very page of cards.

1974:

Current card in binder:  #190 Tony Oliva

Goal card(s):  #55 Frank Robinson, 252 Dave Parker

We've hit our first set where my card representative is one that I'd be perfectly happy to keep for the entirety of the set build.  I find the 1974 set to be kind of boring in terms of design, but at least the Oliva card has a nice photograph with an interesting background.  

1975:

Current card in binder:  #186 Willie Crawford

Goal card(s):  #223 Robin Yount, #228 George Brett

We've made it to everyone's favorite colorful set of the 70s.  The '75 set is certainly iconic in design, and I'm not ashamed to say that I also like the set a lot.  I'm not sure there are too many bad cards in this set, the two-color borders do a lot of the heavy lifting here to make the set look good no matter what.

1976:  

Current card in binder:  #627 Bill Plummer

Goal card(s):  #160 Dave Winfield, #600 Tom Seaver

We've reached the second card on this page that I'd be happy to keep as my set representative moving forward.  Bill Plummer with a wad of chew, aviator sunglasses, and a near mullet:  what more does a person want?!

1977:

Current card in binder:  #350 Larry Dierker

Goal card(s):  #650 Nolan Ryan

I always get the 1977 and the 1974 sets mixed up in my head.  I'll admit that the two designs are unique, but for whatever reason, I always seem to confuse the two years.  Unfortunately, for 1977, I think I prefer the 1974 set a bit more in terms of the overall design, but the '77 is perfectly fine.  I do like the Larry Dierker card, though I must admit that my particular copy has a big gum stain on the back (and thus, I do hope to eventually upgrade this card to something without a giant stain).

That does it for Page 3 of my Forever Topps Binder Project.  Once we get past the next page, I'll be to the sets where I'll have a much stronger opinion (and in many cases, affinity) for particular set designs and cards within that set.  More to come soon!