I was never the biggest fan of the "severed head" Chicago Cubs team cards throughout the 1970's.
I could never get why they had their unique photo year after year
when it came to their team cards, while every other team had those
full-squad posed shots we were so used to.
Nevertheless, the Cubs' 1972 team card is a bit more attractive
than other years, mainly due to the actual card design rather than
"official" team photo.
But with the facsimile autographs under each "head", it reminds me
of those awesome 1890's team cabinet cards that were popular back then,
and believe me, I am a BIG fan of those!
Anyway, one other little treat regarding this card is the fact that
Ernie Banks, "Mr. Cub", is prominently shown just under the Cubs logo,
giving him his only appearance in the 1972 set after he retired in 1971.
A while ago I designed a 1972 "career capper" for Banks, wishing
Topps would have issued a card for him after retirement, but at least we
have him on this card.
Along with Banks, we also have three other future Hall of Famers,
Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and Ron Santo. But except for Williams,
the other three Hall members have "small heads", while run-of-the-mill
players like Burt Hooten, Hector Torres and
Joe Pepitone have huge noggins.
Oh well…
