All About the Base Cards

Celebrating the beauty of Topps base cards through career player runs from minor stars to Hall of famers.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 74th birthday Pete Vuckovich. The 1982 AL Cy Young winner led the AL in wins during the strike-shortened 1981 season. He also starred as Clu Haywood in the movie “Major League”. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 81st birthday Mike Lum. The 1976 World Series champ was the first American of Japanese ancestry to play in the majors. Lum was one of only six players to ever pinch-hit for Hank Aaron. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

U.L. Washington (1953-2024) was born on this date. Known for the toothpick he kept in his mouth during games, Washington was a solid contributor to the Royals playoff teams from 1980-1984. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Ralph Kiner (1922-2014) was born on this date. The HOFer was a 6 time All Star & led the NL in HR 7 straight years (1946-1952) - the only player ever to do so. He was a Mets announcer from 1962 to 2014. Here is a complete career run of his Topps, Bowman & Leaf base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

@RetroCardSnaps @Topps 1991

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

@RetroCardSnaps And the card commemorating that feat was…something.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 77th birthday Mike Hargrove. The “Human Rain Delay” won the 1974 AL ROY & was an All Star in 1975. He played a dozen years & managed for 16 more winning 1,188 games. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 77th birthday Steve Rogers. The 5 time All Star had 158 career wins & led the NL in ERA in 1982. He is the only player with a 10+ year career to only play with the Montreal Expos. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 78th birthday Toby Harrah. The 4 time All Star hit 195 HR & had 1,954 hits. By 1985 he was the last active MLB player to have suited up with the old Washington Senators. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

@JunkWaxHeroes I’m all about the base card runs…even football.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

@RetroCardSnaps Picked up this beauty in a dime box at a card show yesterday.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 28th birthday Juan Soto. The 5 time All Star won a World Series title in 2019. He currently has 271 HR. Soto won the NL batting title in 2020 & led the NL in steals in 2025. He has led the NL in walks 4 times. Here is the complete career run of his Topps base cards so far.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 74th birthday Roy Smalley. He won a World Series title in 1987 and was drafted by four different teams between 1970-73 without signing. Post-career he has been a baseball broadcaster. Here is the complete career run of his Topps base cards plus 1975 SSPC rookie.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 55th birthday Pedro Martinez. The HOFer & 8 time All Star won 3 Cy Young awards (97,99,00) & won World Series (04). He has the 10th highest winning % (219-100). Only he & Kershaw have 3,000+ K in under 3,000 IP. Here is complete run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 30th birthday Rafael Devers. The current Giants IF/DH is a 3 time All Star, a World Series champ (18) and has 272 career HR. However, he led AL 3B in errors for 7 straight seasons (2018-2024). Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards so far.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 49th birthday Rafael Furcal. The 15 year vet won a World Series title in 2011, the NL ROY in 2000 and collected 1,817 hits in his career. He is one of only 15 players to make an unassisted triple play. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 74th birthday Omar Moreno. The two-time NL steals leader (78,79) had 487 steals in his career. He led the NL in triples in 1980. Moreno won a World Series title with the 1979 Pirates. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 48th birthday John Lackey. John won 3 World Series titles (2002, 2013, 2016) and won the Series clinching game in two of them.  Lackey totaled 188 career wins as well. In 2007 he was an All-Star & led the AL in ERA. Here is a complete career run of his Topps base cards.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Happy 61st birthday Al Leiter. The 2 time All Star won 162 games and has 3 World Series titles (92, 93, 97). He had a no-hitter in 1996 & found success after baseball in broadcasting. Here is a complete run of his Topps base cards including his 1988 error card plus 1992 OPC.

[All About the Base Cards @BaseCardsRule]

Jim Bunning was born on this date (1931-2017). The HOFer had 224 wins & 2,855 Ks. He was a 9 time All Star & pitched a no hitter in 1958 & a perfect game in 1964. Post-baseball he served in Congress for 24 years. Here is a complete run of his Topps base cards from his career.