What are the best rookie cards that Topps missed?

jimmyg

Since 1960, Topps has had various All-Star Rookies, Prospects, and Future Stars cards. Most of the major rookies in the ensuing 30 years appeared on one of these types of cards. Some have appeared on two (Carew and Rose come to mind).

But who had the best career and never appeared on any of those cars?

I figure cards from '74 to '76 are out because Topps didn't have any special rookie designators. Also, cards from '83 to '86 for the same reason (anyone know why Topps forewent those cards in those years?).

Also, there seems to be quite a few from '87 on that Topps just missed. Bonds, Maddux, and Glavine come to mind.

So I can come with four major stars from '60 to '82 who didn't appear on any special card:

Reggie Jackson, Rich Gossage, Ozzie Smith, and Rickey Henderson.

The Smith and the Henderson may be iffy because in those years there were 'prospect/ future stars' cards, but not all star rookie trophies and they both played relatively full seasons the year previous.

But in '69 and '73 there were future star and all-star rookie trophy cards. And Topps missed them.

So my short answer to the best rookie card Topps missed? 1969 Reggie Jackson.

Thoughts?

RookieWax

I have wondered how Topps missed Fred McGriff in both of their regular 1986 and 1987 sets, while Donruss included him in its regular 1986 set. That card has always been one of my favorites because it is one of the last cards of a future Hall of Famer where when someone says: "Fred Mcgriff Rookie Card", there is only ONE image that comes to mind - just like with any rookie card from the 1950s through 1980.

digicat

Sometime the Topps All Star Rookie deal is totally absurd.

In 1981, Cal Ripken Jr won the All-Star Rookie award for shortstop. (even though they didn't put the logos on the cards, they still "voted" on the team members each year)

Cal's stats for 1981:

23 games, .128 avg/.150 obp/.128 slg.

He won it again in 1982, but also won the AL Rookie of the Year that year too.

ThoseBackPages

<< <i>I have wondered how Topps missed Fred McGriff in both of their regular 1986 and 1987 sets, while Donruss included him in its regular 1986 set. That card has always been one of my favorites because it is one of the last cards of a future Hall of Famer where when someone says: "Fred Mcgriff Rookie Card", there is only ONE image that comes to mind - just like with any rookie card from the 1950s through 1980. >>



AMEN!

Fleer also dropped the ball on The Crime Dog as well

Stone193

Not sure if "best" fits this - but as a 63F collector - Maury Wills comes to mind.

There's a few theories about why but it wasn't till 1967 that Topps picked him up.

Legend has it Topps snubbed Maury Wills early in his career and then couldn't sign him once he became a pre-eminent base-stealer. Not quite.

Berger used to hire baseball contacts to sign players in spring training and instructed them, "If the club will give them a uniform to wear, we'll give them a contract." He had former minor-leaguer Turk Karam working the Detroit camp, where Wills was trying out. "Detroit had brought him in conditionally from the Dodgers," Berger told Krause Publications' Tuff Stuff magazine. "I get the contracts back and there's nothing there about Wills. No contract, no nothing. I called (Karam) and said, 'What's the matter? Where's Wills?' He said he was told by the Detroit guys ... that Wills would never make it. So he didn't sign him." Fleer, an upstart rival, signed the future Dodgers shortstop instead. But Berger dispels the notion that Wills was mad at Topps. "Wills and I became great friends."

eagles33

How about all of the rookies that appeared in 92 bowman and not topps. Im not a hugebaseball collector but i can think of a few like mariano. Also for football they forgot about the 6th round pick tom brady.