Saturday, January 23, 2021

RIP Hank Aaron

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


1966 Topps


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. 

8 comments:

  1. That's quite a collection, good luck on the quest. At least you have the RC, I am sure I will never get one.

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    1. Yeah, even in that condition I feel really lucky to have gotten his rookie card when I did.

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  2. I 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.

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    1. Your post was so good, I would have given you '54 Aaron if I had an extra if I had it!

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  3. It'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.

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