Cards #77 and 78: More 1998 Tributes

Here are another pair of Clemente Tribute cards from 1998

Interesting enough Cutch wasn't used for either of the Heritage cards.

Card #76: Museum Base

Another Museum base card

The back discusses how Clemente was slow to build his reputation in the league, but once he did he was one of the best.

Card #75: Golden Moment

Topps celebrated their 50th year in 2001 by having an part of their flagship set called Golden Moments.  It featured great moments in baseball history during Topps baseball card producing years.

Roberto Clemente was spotlighted for getting his 3,000th hit in his final regular season at bat of his career.

Card #74: Another Rookie Reprint

For card number 55 I showed off a metal frame rookie reprint of Clemente.  You can revisit that post here.

Here is another rookie reprint from 2012 Archives.

I would love to one day own an original.

Card #73: Bat Relic for 1973 HOF Induction

Roberto Clemente was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 following his tragic and untimely death.

I have a few dozen bat relics of Clemente.

This Topps Tribute is one of the nicest though.  The refractor design really pops amd the bat relic being included as a piece of the year is a really nice touch.  Topps should consider doing something like this again.

Card #72: a miniature. styled 72

Same concept as yesterday, but it's a 1972 mini today.

this insert is from 2013.

Card #71: a mini reminiscent of 1971

2013 Topps had an insert set consisting of 1971 designed cards.  Clemente was one of the few retired legends to appear in the set.

The set contained 50 cards and can be found fairly cheap on eBay.

Card #70: Canvas Collection

 This is a 2013 Reproduction Sketch card from 2013 Topps Museum Canvas Collection.

Card #69: A True National Treasure

Gavin shocked the blogging world by showing off his dual cut auto with Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell.

If you missed it, check out his post here.  He's been laying low since that incredible post.

I can't compete with that.  Instead I can only show off a boring relic of the Hall of Famer.

The National Treasures 2014 release was the absolute best in my opinion.  The overall design was extremely classy and the checklist was stacked.

The cut autos included great looking cards like this Willie Stargell cut auto booklet seen below.

Card #68: Pizza Pizza!!!

Today is National Pizza Day.

I recently purchased this oddball of Roberto Clemente. 

It hails from 1976 Shakey's Pizza.

Copies of this card can range from $7 to $200 depending on condition and how much the seller values oddball food release products.

Shakey's was the first franchise pizza restaurant in the United States.  Before Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's, Dominos, Papa John, etc there was Shakey's!

Founded in 1954, the chain rose to immediate fame and by the late sixties it had almost 400 chains across the United States.  Currently the chain has 500 locations globally of which only 51 are operated nationally.

Shakey's made a cameo in the movie Wayne's World when Benjamin and his girlfriend are eating Shakey's in the bedroom.

Shakey's produced two series of baseball cards in the seventies (1975 and 1976). 

Both card series feature some of the game's greatest players.

Card #67: R.I.P. Frank Robinson

Yesterday on Collecting Cutch I highlighted black history month, but one guy who deserves a lot of credit for making black history is another Robinson who wasn't named Jackie.

Frank Robinson is the ONLY player to win MVP in both leagues.

He was the first black manager.

He won a triple crown award.

He was top 10 in Homeruns at time of his retirement.

He was one of the best and yet is one of the most underrated players in the history of the game.

I got this rag of a 1975 card for only a quarter a few years ago at a flea market.

Card #66: Cutch, Pops, and the Great One

Yesterday on the MLB Network there was a few short clips about Willie Stargell and the impact he had on the game.  They ran these segments as part of Black History Month.

I realize I haven't shown as many of my Clemente hits on here as I do on Collecting Cutch, but this would be a good time to show off one of my favorites.

Topps Heritage is my favorite release now that Gypsy Queen has eliminated their miniature cards.  This card features some of the most beloved players to ever wear a Pirates uniform.

Cards #62,63,64, and 65: 1998 Tribute Lot

Here are four of the 1998 Topps Roberto Clemente Tribute cards released as a limited set.

I am still in need of a bunch of these to complete the set.

Card #61: 1989

2014 continued a trend by Topps to insert minis of vintage designs in their flagship set.  

Oddly enough the set they chose to represent was the 25th anniversary of the 1989 design.  They didn't label them as 25th anniversary designs, but used the same look of those cards, but made them into a die cut mini.

The white borders that would have been on the card were removed entirely to,create a die cut curved upper left and lower right corner on the cards.

The backs were numbered TM (Topps Mini) and featured some of the best active players in the game along with several legends that had long since retired.

The back has limited stats, but does feature a pretty unique fact.  Could you imagine an outfield with Willie Mays in center and Roberto Clemente in right?

That would have been amazing to witness.