I always thought Topps nailed it when it came to their manager
cards in the 1978 set. The horizontal orientation, the dual images of
both player and manager, and the full playing statistics that, at the
time, were not readily accessible in the pre-internet
world we lived in.
Up until that point, and sadly, ever since, manager cards were
usually run of the mill "throw-ins" that really didn't add much to the
set, and you were left wondering if the slots wouldn't have been better
served with some players that were left out, or
some other sub-set that could garner more interest.
But for this set, all teams but the Brewers had their managers
represented with nicely designed and well thought
out cards.
***Milwaukee hadn't yet named their manager for the upcoming
season when cards went to press. However I created a George Bamberger card below to finally "complete" the sub-set.
All told, no less than six of the managers are Hall-of-Famers
(either as managers or players): Earl Weaver, Whitey Herzog, Bob Lemon,
Dick Williams, Tommy Lasorda and Sparky Anderson. And that number will
most assuredly go up by two once Joe Torre and
Bobby Cox are inducted as well. Some can even make a case for Billy
Martin to eventually get in as well, possibly bringing us to NINE
members of the Hall. Not too shabby for a sub-set.
Of these managers, the most accomplished as players were Bob Lemon and
Joe Torre. Lemon fashioned a Hall of Fame career as a pitcher for the
famed Indians staffs of the '40's and '50s, while Torre was a one-time
MVP with the Cardinals in 1971, after a solid
career as a power hitting catcher for the Braves in the '60's as a
power hitting catcher with the Braves.
However, Alvin Dark and Bill Virdon were no slouches either, with
both winning Rookie of the Year awards, in 1948 and 1955 respectively.
Sure, there were some guys that really didn't leave much of a mark
in baseball history, but overall, this sub-set was one of the better
executed sub-sets of the decade in my eyes. It's a shame that Topps
decided to abandon this format for their Manager
cards after this set.
Anyway, now onto the cards themselves. Enjoy!
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
 |
| ***This card was never issued. I've created here to complete the sub-set*** |
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
