We all thought 2020 was bad, but 2021 looks like it could end up being worse. In just three short weeks we have lost Tommy Lasorda, Don Sutton and now Hank Aaron.
Out of all the Hall of Famers and other MLB legends that have passed over the last year or so, none have hit me harder than finding out that Hammerin' Hank Aaron passed away yesterday.
Perhaps it's because as the former Home Run King, Aaron is legitimately the biggest name. But I suspect its because I have been a fan of Hank since I was a kid and while I never saw him play, I've ben collecting his cardboard for close to 30 years. His 1976 Topps base and '75 Record Breakers card were the first individual cards I ever bought from a card shop circa 1990.
Here is a look at what I have been able to acquire. My goal is to collect every one of his Topps cards from his playing career.
1954 Topps
1956 Topps
1958 Topps Braves Fence Busters
1958 Topps World Series Batting Foes
1959 Topps Fence Busters
1959 Topps Aaron Clubs World Series Homer
1960 Topps
1961 Topps
1961 Topps 1960 Home Run Leaders
1962 Topps All-Star
1963 Topps Power Plus
1964 Topps 1963 National League Home Run Leaders
1964 Topps 1963 National League R.B. I. Leaders
1967 Topps
1967 Topps N. League 1966 RBI Leaders
1967 Topps N. League 1966 Home Run Leaders
1968 Topps All Star
1968 Topps 1967 National League RBI Leaders
1968 Topps 1967 National League Home Run Leaders
1968 Topps Game
1969 Topps
1970 Topps All-Star
1970 Topps 1969 National League Home Run Leaders
1972 Topps
1972 Topps In Action
1972 Topps 1971 N.L. R.B.I. Leaders
1972 Topps 1971 N.L. Home Run Leaders
1973 Topps
1974 Topps New All-Time Home Run King
1974 Topps Hank Aaron Special 1962-1965
1974 Topps All-Star
1975 Topps
1975 Topps Mini
1975 Topps '74 Highlights
1975 Topps 1957 - Most Valuable Players
1976 Topps
1976 Topps '75 Record Breakers
Aaron had a long career and was featured on plenty of Topps cards during his career between his base, all-star, combo cards, league leaders and other cards. Even with all of the cards I have, I think I am still missing 30 plus cards.
That's quite a collection, good luck on the quest. At least you have the RC, I am sure I will never get one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, even in that condition I feel really lucky to have gotten his rookie card when I did.
DeleteAnother legend passes! RIP.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about you re Aaron's passing hitting harder than the other recent ones. And the best card in my collection, thanks to you, is my '56 Aaron.
ReplyDeleteYour post was so good, I would have given you '54 Aaron if I had an extra if I had it!
DeleteIt's never easy to read about anyone's death... but some definitely hit harder than others. Aaron was one of those guys for me as well. He was a legend. A king. Very impressive collection of vintage Aaron. Best of luck in your hunt for the remaining 30 or so cards. He's one of those guys I have a running PC of... that I don't actively chase. But in the wake of his passing, I enjoyed digging through boxes, flipping through it, and scanning some of my favorites that I'll be showing in a future post.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your post!
DeleteIt's scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
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