Taking a suggestion from a reader in the comments today because I don't have a lot of time and it's easy. But also, I was curious:
What are my favorite Dodger cards for each year before I started collecting?
This is something I've never pondered even though finding my favorite Dodger has been a yearly ritual ever since 1975. So I went about figuring it out.
A few things to set up the rundown:
First, it's understood I'm talking about Topps cards here. That's all I showed for every year I collected because it was nothing but Topps at the beginning for me and why mess it up by throwing in other companies and confusing the situation (and taking more time I don't have).
Second, I'm not terribly confident that these are my favorites. I'm coming up with a lot of these on the spot while with the favorites during my collecting period I ruminated about them during the whole collecting year.
Third, the "best" generally means my favorite. I'm not picking a Koufax rookie just because it's a big-selling card. I have to like the way it looks. Also, all cards selected are in my collection, because when they're my favorite I make sure they get in my collection.
Let's go:
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| 1951 |
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| 1952 |
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| 1953 |
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| 1954 |
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| 1955 |
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| 1956 |
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| 1957 |
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| 1958 |
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| 1959 |
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| 1960 |
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| 1961 |
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| 1962 |
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| 1963 |
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| 1964 |
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| 1965 |
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| 1966 |
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| 1967 |
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| 1968 |
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| 1969 |
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| 1970 |
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| 1971 |
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| 1972 |
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| 1973 |
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| 1974 |
The 1973 card obscures the subject but the overwhelming "passing the torch" theme hits you in the face with its appropriateness and that's why it's my favorite.
It was difficult to select standouts with some of the '60s sets just because every photo looked the same. But none of this is carved in stone. I'll switch or update if my opinion changes.
Some highlights for me:
Well, obviously the '56 Robinson and the Dodger Greats card from 1957. I've always enjoyed the Joe Black "angel Black sitting on Black's shoulder" card. And same goes for the spectacular and spooky '74 Garvey. The '65 leaders card is simply devastating and the '59 Campy heartbreaking.
As you probably know, the Dodgers clinched another NL West title yesterday. Even though people like to rip on the Dodgers for failing to win the last two World Series and any since 1988, the team still possesses one of the greatest histories of any sports franchise -- I would argue that it's the most interesting and diverse anywhere.
This little exercise shows that.
Comments
Maybe he's annoyed that the photographer's knee is in the picture.