1976-1979 Baseball: Who likes 'em & Why?

Mintacular

Truth be told, 1976-79 baseball cards are not my favorite years for baseball cards. Perhaps it was because I grew up in the 80s and these cards were not part of my collecting experience. Or maybe it's the plain white borders. Or lack of rookie cards.

Whatever the case might be, handling a couple thousand of these recently has ever so slightly improved my opinion on them. I would be interested in hearing some comments from the community who appreciate these cards, hidden gems, what is appealing about these cards, etc. Thanks!

sfmays24

Hi Pat,

I collect raw (EX-MT or better) 1974-1982 sets with my Boys, please let us know if you have any of these:

1975 Topps
208 1970 MVP's, 210 1972 MVP's, 228 George Brett, 622 Rookie Outfielders Fred Lynn

1976 Topps & Traded
192 AL Batting Leaders, 201 NL ERA Leaders, 278 Bernie Carbo, 330 Nolan Ryan

Traded: 259T Darrel Chaney, 296T Pat Dobson, Traded Checklist

1977 OPC
6 Strikeout Leaders (Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver), 12 Bill Campbell, 45 Gary Carter, 75 Vida Blue, 182 Roy White, 183 Marty Perez, 258 Dave Concepcion, 259 Dwight Evans

1979 Topps
116 Ozzie Smith

thank you,

Mike

bobbybakeriv

I collect Topps AS cards from 1975 thru 1980. I do so primarily as this is when I collected as a kid. I like the all-star cards as there is such a wide variety of cards available (e.g., HOFs, stars, commons) and it is much more affordable/manageable to do so for me. I particularly like the 77s as the colors are extremely vibrant IMO. I am now working on getting all the 77 AS cards in PSA 10....this will be quite a task for me. I have eight so far but I am working on nine as I type (thanks to a fellow board member).

Stingray

I like them, but then I grew up during this time. As RBJR said once the 76 is classic design, just what a baseball card should like like, agreed 100%. 77s to be are a very nice design too. Was not fond of 78s back in the day, but looking back now, the very simplistic design looks good to me, unclutered. 79s were ok, IMO, but the worse out these years.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector

Recently I've been buying unopened packs of those years. Why those years?- It's the oldest I can afford.

fattymacs

1977 was the first year I bought packs, so I like them from a nostalgic standpoint. I didn't like 79's as much, but they have grown on me. 78's are tied with 74's as the worst of the decade.

brianwintersfan

I have a soft spot for the 77's and 78's because I had a ton of them as a kid. Between the two, I like the 77's better.

Nathaniel1960

Very affordable at this point, particularly off their highs in the early 90's. You can buy an EX-MT run of those for probably $400 ($120, $100, $100, $80) which is less than the 76 set cost you back in 1991. The problem is they are very bland and the pictures are horrible. OPC's are better in that the inks are stronger and I prefer the card stock.

A better alternative would be to collect just the HOF rookies for those years. And no offense to Felicia and others, but I just don't see the thrill of chasing late 70's cards in PSA 10's, although it was fun to watch the vending case rip.

CNote

Since I was born in '80, my dad had a couple full sets of '79 waiting for me. When I was 10 we opened the last few packs he saved, and pulled a couple Ozzie rookies. I sold them to a card shop for $25 each....oops

Not was bad as him trading his old card collection for Chevy parts in the 60s though

thekid8

Some of my favorite cards are:
76 Topps #441
77 Topps #295
78 Topps #120
79 Topps #520

halosfan

<< <i>Truth be told, 1976-79 baseball cards are not my favorite years for baseball cards. Perhaps it was because I grew up in the 80s and these cards were not part of my collecting experience. Or maybe it's the plain white borders. Or lack of rookie cards.

Whatever the case might be, handling a couple thousand of these recently has ever so slightly improved my opinion on them. I would be interested in hearing some comments from the community who appreciate these cards, hidden gems, what is appealing about these cards, etc. Thanks! >>



Well, you seem to have gotten past the dislike of cards with white borders that are not part of your collecting experience based on the sets listed in your sig line. Try to string together two sentences without contradicting yourself if possible.

Mintacular

<< <i> Well, you seem to have gotten past the dislike of cards with white borders that are not part of your collecting experience based on the sets listed in your sig line. Try to string together two sentences without contradicting yourself if possible. >>



The cards in my sig line have other color, flair, artistry, loaded with rookie card HOFers, and are more familiar to me as my dad gave me an old collection when I was collecting in the 80's. etc. I don't see any contradiction. Like I said, it is possible that the late 70's cards could grow on me, but it will take some convincing I guess. For example, I use to HATE '58 BB but they grew on me and are now one of my favorite designs.

Why so angry all the time?

TNP777

<< <i>Some of my favorite cards are:
76 Topps #441
77 Topps #295
78 Topps #120
79 Topps #520 >>

Are those Mario Mendoza cards?





IMO, 1978 is one of the best designs Topps ever came out with. It was the first set I built by hand as an 11 year old - seems like my entire summer was spent building it and playing the game on the back. Name me a player from that set, and there's a good chance I can come up with a mental image of the card, and I haven't looked at my '78 set in a loooong time.

chaz43

<< <i>Very affordable at this point, particularly off their highs in the early 90's. You can buy an EX-MT run of those for probably $400 ($120, $100, $100, $80) which is less than the 76 set cost you back in 1991. The problem is they are very bland and the pictures are horrible. OPC's are better in that the inks are stronger and I prefer the card stock.

A better alternative would be to collect just the HOF rookies for those years. And no offense to Felicia and others, but I just don't see the thrill of chasing late 70's cards in PSA 10's, although it was fun to watch the vending case rip. >>




Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!! chaz

CDsNuts

Or lack of rookie cards.

1976 Eck
1977 Sutter, Dawson, Murphy
1978 Murray, Molitor, Trammell, Morris, Whitaker
1979 Ozzie


5 HOFers and 5 potential HOFers in 4 sets. That is better than any four year stretch in the 70s in terms of RCs except 75-78 which contains three of the years you listed as disliking.

itzagoner

got the Man Crush for 1977 Topps Baseball, love the design, photography and the deep rich colors on nice, glossy pack fresh examples + the Leader cards & the Rookie cards from this set have a very nice appeal as well, including of course first cards of some of my heroes, Dawson, Murphy, Clark(for homering off FuFu at the Ravine in '85 LOL), and HOF'ers galore, don't make me be a salesman now.....i could talk about this set for hours.

i also like the '76 for the design and such, but not nearly as much as '77.....'78 & '79 are ok, although they don't really possess much attraction for me.

Elemenopeo

<< <i>Or maybe it's the plain white borders. >>



Think you probably hit nail on the head there. The downfall of many a would-be great issues... e.g. T206, 1933 Goudey, 1952 Topps, etc.

Mintacular

Yeah but the early/mid 70s still have Mays, Clemente, Aaron, Gibson, Robinson. Also, the HOFers and potential ones you (cdsnuts) mention, are "lower tier" with all due respect.

Again, I'm not trying to start a "right" or "wrong" argument, etc and I'm not trying to say the late 70's do not have there positive attributes. Just want to understand what their potential is before I get addicted to that time era

SDSportsFan

I loved the 1976 and 1978 Topps sets. I was 13-15 years old at the time, and they were perfect for getting autographs on. The first set I really collected was the 1975. I didn't like the 1975 and 1977 sets due to the facsimile autographs on them, which made them bad (IMHO) for getting real autographs on.


Steve

ArchStanton

1976 My brother gave me a bunch of sets in the '80s. The oldest one was '76. The condition was crap, but I have built a couple of pretty decent sets since then.

1978 The first packs I remember opening. My brother got a wax box or two. We played the game on the back and beat the hell out of them. I still have a few of those cards. How many freakin Denny Martinez cards did Topps make?

Mintacular

Thank you all very much for your responses thus far and I look forward to (hopefully) hearing a lot more. Just want to clarify that I dig any collector that loves baseball cards for whatever reason, and whatever year. (For example, I absolutely love the '86 Topps design but I know a lot of people that think that year and design is absolute garbage with no notable RCs, etc...)

The title may (or may not) imply that I am denigrating hobbyists who like these years, but that in no way my intention with this thread. Thanks!

ymarea

Of the sets mentioned in the OP, I prefer the look of 1976 the best. I like the colors, the angular design, the wide variety of older and younger stars, and I love the separate league leader cards for both A.L. and N.L. that feature the top 3 in each category (with the exception for saves, which has just one card with both league leaders on it).

However, it's the 1978 set that holds the fondest memories. I remember watching the 1977 baseball season with renewed interest as George Foster became the first player since Mays in '65 to reach 50 homers, Rod Carew flirted with .400 for much of the season, the White Sox--historically lacking in HR power--were smashing homers with the best of 'em while wearing goofy shorts, Pirate teammates Dave Parker and Rennie Stennet were in a tight race for the NL batting crown until Stennet got injured, Hal McRae hit what was then the remarkable total of 54 doubles, and Reggie Jackson was a smash hit in his inaugural NY season and cemented his reputation as "Mr. October."

I've always been a bigger fan of card backs than fronts, and really enjoy reliving 1977 through the 1978 cards. If any of you have the time, take a closer look and see just how many rookies and first-year players took flight in 1977 with outstanding years: Eddie Murray, Mitchell Page, Wayne Gross, Gene Richards, Terry Puhl, Andre Dawson, Dave Rozema, Bob Bailor, Bill Almon, Ruppert Jones, Warren Cromartie, and many others. It also has the cards for the first-ever seasons of the Mariners and Blue Jays. Sure, the '77 set has M's and J's cards, but they are all airbrushed uglies since neither team had debuted before the set was printed.

Another unique thing about the '78 set that a back-loving stat freak like myself appreciates is its manager cards. They have complete career stats (including minor league stats for guys like Earl Weaver, Tom Lasorda, and Dave Garcia) just like they have for the active players. It's really some neat stuff.

Mintacular

Thanks for sharing that. It's nice to know that dudes like you are out there who actually appreciate these cards/yrs. I'm still not sold on the '78 set though...

fattymacs

Brett, my favorite card from 1978 is the Sparky Anderson Manager card.

ymarea

<< <i>Brett, my favorite card from 1978 is the Sparky Anderson Manager card. >>



Rob,
I like that one, too. It's cool seeing the managers "then" and "now." Poor Sparky, I think he's looked 70 years old since he was about 17!

ymarea

<< <i>Thanks for sharing that. It's nice to know that dudes like you are out there who actually appreciate these cards/yrs. I'm still not sold on the '78 set though... >>



Pat,
I can appreciate that. The '78 set is not a thing of beauty, artistically speaking. I'm partial to it strictly for the memories.

Lothar52

Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!!



PSA 5 CHAZ

Estil

I do! I'm working on complete sets with key cards in PSA 7 for 1976 and 1977 and PSA 8 for 1978 and 1979 (if anyone here has some looking for a good home PM me). I'm short seven for 1976, five for 1977, eight for 1978 and three for 1979. I like the 1976 design best. Very good range of years and raw sets are still relatively affordable which is not bad for thirty-ish year old sets!

bobbybakeriv

<< <i>Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!!



PSA 5 CHAZ >>



Is there a resource that shows the number of cards printed by year? I have always been interested in this. Or, do you have that information? If so, please share. Thanks!!!! Bobby

chaz43

<< <i>Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!!



PSA 5 CHAZ >>




Sorry about that but don't kill the messsenger. chaz

chaz43

<< <i>

<< <i>Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!!



PSA 5 CHAZ >>



Is there a resource that shows the number of cards printed by year? I have always been interested in this. Or, do you have that information? If so, please share. Thanks!!!! Bobby >>




Hate to bring bad news but those cards ain't worth anything unless they are 10's. Look at VCP and PSA pop reports, it is sad. Most Mint 9's are a joke and not even worth getting graded. I know cause I tried. If you are buying 70's buy graded wax packs or buy raw packs(get them graded) from Steve at BBCE and don't rip'em!!! chaz

bobbybakeriv

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!!



PSA 5 CHAZ >>



Is there a resource that shows the number of cards printed by year? I have always been interested in this. Or, do you have that information? If so, please share. Thanks!!!! Bobby >>




Hate to bring bad news but those cards ain't worth anything unless they are 10's. Look at VCP and PSA pop reports, it is sad. Most Mint 9's are a joke and not even worth getting graded. I know cause I tried. If you are buying 70's buy graded wax packs or buy raw packs(get them graded) from Steve at BBCE and don't rip'em!!! chaz >>




Yeah, I hear ya. Luckily, I don't think of my cards as an investment nor do I sell many of them. Heck, if I viewed them as an investment, I would have lost my shirt several times over by now. I really do collect for the fun of it (though, it is cool to speculate about value). I was just interested in the number of cards produced in those years out of curiosity.

chaz43

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!!



PSA 5 CHAZ >>



Is there a resource that shows the number of cards printed by year? I have always been interested in this. Or, do you have that information? If so, please share. Thanks!!!! Bobby >>




Hate to bring bad news but those cards ain't worth anything unless they are 10's. Look at VCP and PSA pop reports, it is sad. Most Mint 9's are a joke and not even worth getting graded. I know cause I tried. If you are buying 70's buy graded wax packs or buy raw packs(get them graded) from Steve at BBCE and don't rip'em!!! chaz >>




Yeah, I hear ya. Luckily, I don't think of my cards as an investment nor do I sell many of them. Heck, if I viewed them as an investment, I would have lost my shirt several times over by now. I really do collect for the fun of it (though, it is cool to speculate about value). I was just interested in the number of cards produced in those years out of curiosity. >>




I just checked VCP and the mint 9's in 76 are not as bad as I thought. You start to see a drop in 77'. 78' and 79' for the most part in mint 9's.... forget about it. chaz

larryallen73

I love those years... but of course I was a big collector during those years. I started buying cards in '74 at age 6 so was buying a ton as the 70's rolled along. I think '76 is my favorite, of those years, right now. There is still a "vintage" look with some cool action cards ('76 Bench for example), a lot of old fashioned posed pictures, some poor quality photographs you would never see today, and the vibrant 70's disco era colors!

TomGshotput

<< <i>Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!! chaz >>



Pretty silly to think that just because the cost of something will be less tomorrow doesn't mean it isn't affordable today. You can buy an entire box of them for under 10-cents a card

If you want to put one of those sets in an album to look through, waiting to do so trying to save another $20 would be worth a lot of question marks and exclimation points

chaz43

<< <i>

<< <i>Very affordable you say???? They will continue to go down in value because they made millions of them!!!! chaz >>



Pretty silly to think that just because the cost of something will be less tomorrow doesn't mean it isn't affordable today. You can buy an entire box of them for under 10-cents a card

If you want to put one of those sets in an album to look through, waiting to do so trying to save another $20 would be worth a lot of question marks and exclimation points >>



As time goes by, I think you are throwing your money away. There are literally millions of those cards out there opened. Only way to go is buy unopened. Forget about grading raw for 8's. chaz

TomGshotput

The vast majority of things people do with their money is throwing it away

If you like cards from the 70s, $50 for 500 of them is as good a deal as anything else in your entertainment budget

chaz43

<< <i>The vast majority of things people do with their money is throwing it away

If you like cards from the 70s, $50 for 500 of them is as good a deal as anything else in your entertainment budget >>




I'd rather go out to dinner. chaz

TomGshotput

If the question is going out to eat or baseball cards, the only correct choice is to keep the money in the bank

jswieton

<< <i>Recently I've been buying unopened packs of those years. Why those years?- It's the oldest I can afford. >>



Me too 78's are my favorite plus they have some great star power with their rookie class.

chaz43

<< <i>If the question is going out to eat or baseball cards, the only correct choice is to keep the money in the bank >>




I'll enjoy my money now while it's still has buying power not where inflation can eat it away. chaz

TomGshotput

For someone who takes that outlook, I agree 10-cents per card is unaffordable

For someone who takes a different approach to finances, they can likely afford both cards they like and other things

chaz43

<< <i>For someone who takes that outlook, I agree 10-cents per card is unaffordable

For someone who takes a different approach to finances, they can likely afford both cards they like and other things >>



Let me ask you this..... if you paid the 50 bucks today for the cards and in10 years those same cards are worth 20 bucks not even including inflation....how could you feel good about that?????? chaz

TomGshotput

Because that means you had 10 more years to have the cards in a binder and look through any time you wanted

I understand there are very few people in the world who think that has much value. But to the few who do value that (some of them who write on this board), it is a very good deal

The vast majority of things anyone buys cannot be resold for anything as soon as we swipe our credit card. Yet a few of still manage to feel good every so often

chaz43

<< <i>Because that means you had 10 more years to have the cards in a binder and look through any time you wanted

I understand there are very few people in the world who think that has much value. But to the few who do value that (some of them who write on this board), it is a very good deal

The vast majority of things anyone buys cannot be resold for anything as soon as we swipe our credit card. Yet a few of still manage to feel good every so often >>




They are basically worthless. Now we are at 2 cents a card without inflation. No offense but I really think you are pulling at straws. chaz

TomGshotput

Again, most things people buy become as worthless as 1970s baseball cards as soon as they exchange money for it. I can't think of a single thing I own that I could sell for more than a small fraction of what I paid for it. Yet somehow it was all still affordable. Yet for some reason you claim -- and refuse to explain -- how 1970s baseball cards are the one exception to our entire economic system

lwehlers

1976 and 78 are my favorites. i really like the 78 better. there are two hall of fame rookies in molitor and murray. also alot of the players in the set played well into the early eighties including the second tier rookies.

chaz43

<< <i>Again, most things people buy become as worthless as 1970s baseball cards as soon as they exchange money for it. I can't think of a single thing I own that I could sell for more than a small fraction of what I paid for it. Yet somehow it was all still affordable. Yet for some reason you claim -- and refuse to explain -- how 1970s baseball cards are the one exception to our entire economic system >>



Late 1970 (1970- 1976 are ok) baseball cards IMO suck because of poor design and overproduction. It's as simple as that. You are trying to defend the "Alamo". Just forget about it. chaz

Nathaniel1960

It's a simple question, if the moon was made of green cheese, would you eat it?

DavidPuddy

"If you were a Hot Dog and you were starving, would you eat yourself?"

chaz43

<< <i>It's a simple question, if the moon was made of green cheese, would you eat it? >>



He would, I wouldn't. Green cheese tastes like ch*t but he would try to defend eating it like a 1979 2 cent baseball card. chaz