Thursday, March 28, 2024

969 "DO-OVER" SET: KEN HARRELSON

Today's blog post spotlights my 1969 do-over for Ken Harrelson, from my recent custom set, replacing the comically old image used by Topps on his original card:




If you remember the original, Harrelson was clearly still in a Kansas City A's uniform, a team he hadn't played for since 1967.
The rescuing of images was common for Topps during this era, as they were embroiled in a licensing squabble with the MLBPA at the time.
Harrelson was coming off his finest season in the Majors when this card would have seen the light of day, leading the American League with 109 runs batted in while slugging 35 homers for the Boston Red Sox, good for a third place finish in the MVP race when all was said and done.
He finished his nine-year MLB career with 131 homers, 421 RBIs and 374 runs scored over 900 games and only 2941 at-bats.
Of course, Harrelson is truly remembered by all fans as a broadcaster, something he has done for over 40 years with a General Manager break in the mid-80’s with the Chicago White Sox.
A true baseball character, the out-spoken Harrelson has had quite the interesting career in baseball, as a player and broadcaster, leading to some funny and sometimes controversial moments.
Worth a quick read-up if you have a minute and are not familiar.