Somewhat interesting post today regarding OPC to Topps image variations, with this one being the fact that the player who had a 1977 OPC card didn't get their first Topps card until 1979, pitcher Tom Bruno:
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| OPC Rookie in 1977 |
 |
| Topps Rookie 1979 |
Bruno
actually made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 1976,
appearing in 12 games and going 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA over 17.1 innings.
After
being selected by the new Toronto Blue Jays franchise in the expansion
draft over that Winter, Bruno got himself a card with the 1977 OPC set
suited up with his new team.
Topps
decided NOT to give Bruno a card, not even on a multi-player rookie
card, while Bruno would go on to appear in 12 games for the Jays, going
0-1 with a bloated 7.85 ERA in 18.1 innings of work.
Turns
out he would get on a Topps card until 1979, now a member of the St.
Louis Cardinals, on one of the worst sub-sets (in my humble opinion) in
Topps' long history, the black and white multi-player rookie prospects
cards of that year.
Turns out Bruno's
1978 season was excellent, with 18 appearances and 49.2 innings
pitched, posting a record of 4-3 with a sparkling 1.99 earned run
average, with three starts and a save thrown in.
He’d finish his career after the 1979 season, posting a record of 2-3
with a 4.23 E.R.A., with 27 strikeouts over 38.1 innings and 27
appearances, ending up with a record of 7-7 with a decent 4.22 E.R.A.,
80 strikeouts and a single save over 69 games and 123.2 innings pitched.
