Topps All Star Rookie Collection

Today was one of those rare weekend days where we did not have football games or fall baseball games. 

Our Little League fall season has a two week break for Labor Day weekend, and for our Lion's Club fall festival, which takes up all the ball diamonds for carnival rides and games.

Unfortunately my oldest broke a finger in football practice two weeks ago when a helmet landed on his left hand, so he's been out for both football and baseball while it heals up. We're hoping for good news Monday to see if he'll be able to pitch next weekend.

Because I had the day free, was able to make a visit to the card shop and was able to pickup some Cubs team needs, along with picking up a few cards for a sub-collection I've started to build a collection of Topps All Star Rookies. 

I'll be interested to see how challenging this is given these cards are typically the 2nd year cards of rookies. That typically helps with the cost, although I am sure along the way will discover some cards are still pretty high in price. 

My plan is to start with cards from 1976 forward and see how it goes! 

Today was able to make a dent in some 1976's and I already had a really beat up Gary Carter. As I've said before, condition does not bother me at all. 

I do wish Trading Card database would create a sub-set of these as it would be much easier to find these, so currently I'm going through each team to look for the "ASR" designation on these cards.

For now here are the current haves:

It will be interesting to see how accurate Topps has been in identifying potential future stars through this designation. 

Gary Carter was clearly accurate and he is one of the few players I collect. Another interesting fact is that his gravesite is in Tequesta Florida our favorite vacation spot and place we’d like to eventually move to when I retire.

I also researched my other four players.

Mike Ivie played from 1971 to 1983. In 1979 he hit 27 homers and had 89 RBI, after having to transition from catcher to first base. After being the overall #1 pick it sounds like he struggled with the yips at catcher which prompted the move to first. Apparently his career was full of ups and downs from the pressure of being a top pick.

Disco Dan Ford played from 1975 to 1985 for the Twins, Angels and Orioles. It looks like he had a solid career finishing with 1,123 hits and a career .270 average, including an 1983 World Series win. He also hit the first homer in the new Yankee Stadium in 1976.

Tom Veryzer had a 12 year MLB career, for the Tigers, Indians, Mets and Cubs. Based on his stats he contributed more defensively than offensively. In 1975 he broke up a Ken Holzman’s no hitter bid with a two out double in the 9th.

Tom Underwood was from Kokomo, Indiana, a place where we spend a lot of time for travel baseball games! He played for the Phillies, Cardinals, Jays, Yankees, A’s and Orioles over a 10 year career. His win loss record was 86-87, and he finished with 948 Ks.