Today we look at a card that I was never really a fan of: Topps' 1970 card of Willie Stargell (#470).
There was something about the pose "Pops" was photographed in, just
looked lame and really not "Stargell-esque" (if that makes any sense.
Take a look:
See what I mean? The bat on the shoulder looks awkward, the hand on
hip looks like he's missing a finger or two, and quite honestly that
smile looks about as forced as a whore in church.
The way he has that bat resting on his neck, across his jugular. So weird.
Take a look at a better image I found to use for a "do-over":
Just a nice in-game action shot of Stargell in 1970 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
This is just before Stargell had his most productive years in the
big leagues in the early 1970's, including three years in a row where he
finished second, third and second in M.V.P. voting between 1971 and
1973, leading the Majors in homers in '71 and
'73 with 48 and 44.
He'd eventually win an M.V.P. later in the decade at the age of 39
(he'd share it with Keith Hernandez) when he lead the Pirates to a World
Series win over the Baltimore Orioles in 1979, slamming 32 homers in
only 126 games.
He retired after the 1982 season, playing all 21 years with the
Pirates, crushing 475 homers, driving in 1540 R.B.I.'s, and winning two
championships (1971 & 1979).
"Pops" eventually found his way into the Hall of Fame in 1988, joining former teammate Roberto Clemente, and rightfully so.
