The Five Essential Baseball Cards of 1975 Topps
This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most beloved baseball card sets of the vintage era: 1975 Topps. Beyond an incredible selection of players that included 1950s stars such as Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, and Harmon Killebrew as well as modern up-and-comers such as George Brett, Freddy Lynn, Jim Rice, and Robin Yount, the set featured a popular MVP subset dating back to the earliest days of Topps and more bright colors than a pack of Skittles.
The sheer number of exceptional cards in this set makes a true "Five Essentials" list an impossibility. (Die-hards can click here to see Night Owl Cards count down his top 300!) Rather than omit any absolute essentials, this article will focus on the Five Essential Baseball Cards of 1975 Topps...besides the two obvious ones, namely the rookie cards of George Brett and Robin Yount.
1975 Topps Hank Aaron Highlights/All-Star
The card's caption says it all: "AARON SETS HOMER MARK." Beyond that, however, we have the first "modern" Topps Highlights/Record Breaker card, a subtle but smart decision to place the NL All-Star designation on this card rather than Aaron's base card later in the set, and the Hammer's last playing era card as a member of the Atlanta Braves.
1975 Topps Herb Washington
In the span of two cards, the Essentials list goes from 715 home runs to zero with this classic card of sprinter-turned-Oakland Athletics pinch-runner Herb Washington. Try finding this stat line for any other player, past, present, or future: 0 plate appearances, 31 stolen bases, and 33 runs!
1975 Topps World Series "A's Do It Again!"
The Essentials list stays #RootedInOakland with the final card in the 1975 Topps World Series subset, commemorating the A's victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Like the Aaron card, there is some serious baseball history being commemorated here: a nearly impossible three-peat, which only the New York Yankees had accomplished previously. There is also a great Reggie cameo, along with a fun story.
MC Hammer earned the nickname Hammer because of his resemblance to "Hammerin" Hank Aaron as a Bat Boy/Clubhouse Attendant for the Oakland A's in the 70's. #CantTouchThis pic.twitter.com/V2h2auuxao
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) October 4, 2022
Ever since hip hop artist MC Hammer rose to prominence in the 1980s, there was speculation in the Hobby that the former Oakland A's batboy and vice president made a cameo on this card, just to the left of Reggie. (To add to the cool, it was actually Reggie who gave a young Stanley Burrell his Hammer nickname!) However, back in 2022, no less an authority than MC Hammer himself set the card collecting world straight.
1975 Cleveland Indians Team Card
Normally the team card of a basement-dweller wouldn't crack an Essentials list, but this card is different. Like the other cards on this list, this card reflects some important baseball history. Tucked away in the lower left hand corner of the card is the caption "Frank Robinson, Mgr." just below the famous manager's photo. Robinson was of course Major League Baseball's first Black Manager, and this is his "managerial rookie card" if there's such a thing.
Collector's Choice: Cardboard Swansongs
In truth, any Essentials List comes down to "collector's choice." After all, the key to enjoying the Hobby is to collect what you love. Still, for collectors looking for a bit of guidance, a great place to look within the 1975 Topps set is among the various final (playing era) Topps cards issued of Hall of Fame greats:
- Bob Gibson (base card and Highlights)
- Al Kaline (Highlights only)
- Ron Santo
- Frank Robinson
- Harmon Killebrew
Of course, the great thing about the 1975 Topps set is just how many outstanding cards didn't even make this list. Ultimately, this is a set with something for everyone, and perhaps the only truly correct answer for those seeking its Essentials is to "Collect them all!"
Jason A. Schwartz is a collectibles expert whose work can be found regularly at SABR Baseball Cards, Hobby News Daily, and 1939Bruins.com. His collection of Hank Aaron baseball cards and memorabilia is currently on exhibit at the Atlanta History Center, and his collectibles-themed artwork is on display at the Honus Wagner Museum and PNC Park.