Back on Topps’ Radar: Ron Brand

Astros’ catcher Ron Brand (#317) is back on Topps’ card roster after being left off in 1967.Brand was signed by the Pirates in 1958, and played in the minors for 7 seasons, first as a middle infielder, before switching to catcher in 1961. Ron appeared …

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From the previous post, we move across Chicago to the White Sox and Walt “No Neck” Williams. This is the 2nd year in a row that a White Sox’ outfielder was named to the Topps All-Rookie team. (Tommie Agee was named the previous year. I wonder if it w…

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Here we see the hatless “Sweet Lou” Johnson, joining the Cubs after several seasons with the Dodgers. Johnson was signed by the Yankees way back in 1953, but didn’t make his major-league debut until April 1960, with the Cubs. In between, he spent sever…

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This is the rookie card for Danny Frisella, a relief pitcher for the Mets and others from 1967 to 1976.Frisella was signed by the Mets in June 1966. During his time in the Mets’ minor-league system (1966-1970) he was a starting pitcher. He compiled a…

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Here are the 1968 Topps inserts – a deck of 33 playing cards. These cards measure 2 1/4″ x 3 1/4″. I don’t remember which series these were inserted in. Unlike the 1969 deckle-edge insert cards, these cards aren’t included on one of the checklists.I …

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Here is the first “full” card for Roy White (#546). White appeared on a Yankees Rookies card in 1966, but did not have a card in 1967, despite having 356 plate appearances for the Yankees in 1966. C’mon Topps, why was White left out of the 1967 set, …

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Although Bob Hendley’s last major-league game was on September 3, 1967, Topps would issue cards for him in 1968 and 1969.Bob was signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1958. After 3 1/2 seasons in the minors, he made his major-league debut on June 23, 1961…

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Sandy Valdespino (#304) appeared on Topps cards in 1965 and 1966, but since he spent most of 1966 in the minors, he didn’t have a card in 1967. Now he’s back for one last card.Sandy was signed by the (old) Washington Senators in 1957. He spent 8 seaso…

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Jim Roland (#276) had cards from 1963-1965, but missed out in 1966 and 1967. Here he resurfaces to begin a string of 5 seasons on a baseball card.Jim was signed by the Twins in 1961, and spent only 2 seasons in the minors before making his major-leagu…

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This is the final card for Jack Lamabe (#311).Jack was signed by the Phillies in 1956. After one season with their class-D club in the Carolina League, he was released and subsequently picked up by the Pirates. Lamabe spent 5 seasons in the Pirates mi…

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Nate Oliver (#124) was a backup 2B-SS for the Dodgers in the mid-1960s. After appearing on Topps cards in ’63, ’65, and ’66, he was out of the loop in 1967 before showing up 3 more times starting in 1968.Nate was signed by the Dodgers in 1959, and spen…

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This is the final card for Jerry Zimmerman (#181) the Twins’ backup catcher for most of the 1960s.Jerry was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1952. After 7 1/2 seasons in their minor-league system, the Red Sox released Zimmerman on July 16, 1959. On th…

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My first recollection of Lee Thomas (#438) is when I got his 1967 card. His position on that card (like this one) was “1B-OF”. My young brain then summed him up as:a) He’s a backupb) He’s Ernie Banks’ backup, so he’s not gonna play.However, he was a …

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