Today on the blog, we take a look at another image variation between Topps and their North-of-the-border OPC cousin, this time the 1977 cards for Montreal Expos ace Steve Rogers:
OPC version
 |
| Topps version |
Easily
we can see that while Topps used an older image of the pitcher, showing
him without a mustache, OPC had an up-to-date image with the man how we
remember him.
Just nicer photography overall.
Rogers, who would go on to play all 13 years of his career with the
Montreal Expos, had himself a wonderful rookie campaign in 1973,
finishing second in the league’s rookie of the year voting with a 10-5
record along with a microscopic 1.54 earned run average with three
shutouts over 17 starts and 134 innings pitched.
I always felt he should have won the award over Garry Mathews actually, completing seven of his starts and giving up only 23 earned runs while striking out 64.
Of course Rogers would go on to become an all-star pitcher, having five such nods over his career, while finishing second in the Cy Young vote in 1982, then coming in fourth the following season.
Arm trouble cut his career somewhat short at the age of 35 in 1985, as he retired with a record of 158-152, pitching on some tough losing teams early in his MLB tenure.
Nevertheless, the man put in some stellar performances on a Big League mound, leading the league in shutouts twice, ERA in 1982, and ending up with 37 shutouts over 399 appearances.
I always felt he should have won the award over Garry Mathews actually, completing seven of his starts and giving up only 23 earned runs while striking out 64.
Of course Rogers would go on to become an all-star pitcher, having five such nods over his career, while finishing second in the Cy Young vote in 1982, then coming in fourth the following season.
Arm trouble cut his career somewhat short at the age of 35 in 1985, as he retired with a record of 158-152, pitching on some tough losing teams early in his MLB tenure.
Nevertheless, the man put in some stellar performances on a Big League mound, leading the league in shutouts twice, ERA in 1982, and ending up with 37 shutouts over 399 appearances.