Here’s
a 1978 card that can arguably be considered truly “missing” as opposed
to “not really...”, a card for former pitcher Duane Theiss of the
Atlanta Braves:
Theiss made his Major League debut during the 1977 season, appearing in
17 games for Atlanta, going 1-1 with a 6.53 earned run average over 20.2
innings, all in relief.
Lord knows Topps had a few guys who appeared in less games in that set!
The following season, Theiss only made it into three games, again for
the Braves, not factoring in a decision while posting a nice 1.42 ERA
over 6.1 innings pitched.
He’d actually play in the Minors through the 1980 season, still with Atlanta, but never get back on a Big League mound again.