Ranking 50 Years Worth Of Topps #330 Cards #10 - #1

In honor of my 50th birthday, I'm ranking all 51 Topps base cards numbered #330 since 1975. Why #330? Because my birthday was on 03/30. Why 51 cards when I've turned 50? Because that's how math works, and as my father-in-law likes to say, I didn't turn 50, I started my 51st year of existence!

 

Today we finish off this week-long series with the 10 greatest cards. These are the ones I just couldn't keep looking at, and there are some amazing cards here! Rankings are purely subjective to my whim. 

#10 - 2022 (Jacob deGrom)

 

An excellently cropped horizontal card. I know some people might prefer seeing all of the player, but for a close-up like this, I don't mind a missing leg.

 

#9 - 1991 (Dwight Gooden)

 

From one Cy Young-winning Mets pitcher to another! I always liked how players "broke through" the border on the 1991 design, giving it almost a 3-D effect. Gooden and his powerful fastball are a good example of this.

 

#8 - 2023 (Julio Rodriguez)

 

Does anyone collect "flying helmet" cards? That always seemed like it would be a fun little mini-collection.

 

#7 - 2011 (Derek Jeter)

 

Yeah, I know. It kills me putting this guy so high up on the list. The card deserves it, as we get another "Anti-Tatooine" card of Jetes doing his famous leaping throw. At least he looks goofy doing it...

 

#6 - 2021 (Juan Soto)

 

I love the clarity on this one. Take away the graphical elements of the card itself, and this image could have been pulled directly from a game I was watching on the television.

 

#5 - 1976 (Nolan Ryan)

 

The top Hall of Famer on my list, Nolan Ryan's intense glare makes this card memorable. I fear for whoever had to step up to the plate against him after this shot was taken.

 

#4 - 1992 (Will Clark)

 

You don't see many shots of a first baseman kneeling to catch the ball. My favorite element of this card is actually the Expos player behind Clark, kicking up dirt as he slides back into base.

 

#3 - 2008 (Curtis Granderson)

 

Along those same lines of base running greatness, Granderson looks like he is sliding just so he can avoid the Topps logo above him.

 

#2 - 2012 (Matt Kemp)

 

Matt Kemp's face is everything here. Even he's unsure if he'll make the catch, but if that dirty uniform is any indication, he's going to give it his all!

 

Finally, my friends, the moment you've all been waiting for! I present to you the greatest Topps base card #330 of the past 51 years:

 

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#1 - 2013 (Ryan Raburn)

 

This is why you don't blur out the background! Each spectator pictured has an amazingly unique facial expression! Some are looking at the player, some tracking the ball. Some are screaming, some are relaxed and chill (The girl on the right looks like she could even be singing). From either side, the outstretched arms of unknown dreamers hope the ball lands in their possession. Then there is Raburn, his own facial expression a snapshot of baseball. Shades on, but you know he's tracking. Is he yelling "I got it!" or "Oh crap"? I'm not incredibly familiar with the 2013 set, but I'd have a hard time believing this card wasn't one of the best looking.

 

For those of you that read this whole series, I thank you. It started out as an idea for a singular post on my birthday, but I'm glad I broke it down into multiple posts instead. I hope you enjoyed it.

 

I'll end things by proposing a blog bat-around! I'd love to see a Top 10 list centered on cards containing your "birth number". Obviously, some birthdays towards the back end of the year won't be able to do this, but in that case feel free to pick another date - anniversary, spouse or children's birthdays, Jackie Robinson Day - whatever you like!

Ranking 50 Years Worth OF Topps #330 Cards #20 - #11

In honor of my 50th birthday, I'm ranking all 51 Topps base cards numbered #330 since 1975. Why #330? Because my birthday was on 03/30. Why 51 cards when I've turned 50? Because that's how math works, and as my father-in-law likes to say, I didn't turn 50, I started my 51st year of existence!

 

Today we continue the count down of the best #330 cards in the history of Topps base sets (since 1975 - get with the theme here!) We're in the Top 20 now, so you know these cards will be good! Rankings are purely subjective to my whim. 

#20 - 2004 (Zack Greinke/Jimmy Gobble)

One of the more annoying aspects of the hobby is that there seems to be too many different opinions as to what constitutes a rookie card. Zack Greinke made his MLB debut in 2004, and was issued a card in 2004. That a rookie card, right? Apparently not. No matter - I see this as his rookie card! Even though the card itself isn't unique, this may be the only time I can say a future hall of Famer's rookie card is on this list!

 

#19 - 2007 (Ryan Howard)

 

Just a little more... just a little more of his bat showing...just a little more clarity in the background...this card could have been so much better. I still like it though.

 

#18 - 2018 (Ian Kinsler)

 

Another solid card that could have been cropped just a wee bit better.

 

#17 - 2006 (Michael Barrett/Greg Maddux)

 

I was all set to make a joke about Michael Barrett being considered a "star" player, but he did win the Silver Slugger for catcher the year before, so he gets a pass. For once I actually like the colorfully blurred background and that there's ample space on either side of the main focal point.

 

#16 - 2024 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

 

I think I have a little recency bias going on here. The popular 2024 design plus a fun reaction shot of a young slugger make this a fun card.

 

#15 - 2014 (Evan Longoria)

 

Good fielding card with just the right amount of tilt to necessitate a horizontal card.

 

#14 - 2020 (George Springer)

 

The juxtaposition between his facial expression and his hand motions amuses me for some reason. You would think he'd be happier if something warranted a double thumbs up, right? Something good happened, so why the pout?

 

#13 - 1975 (Mike Marshall)

 

I just know Night Owl was waiting for this one to show up! My birth year card shows the former Cy Young winner who was famous for his refusal to pose for Topps. Action shots are better than poses anyway!

 

#12 - 2016 (Edward Mujica)

 

I love the scowl on his face, and the way the 2016 set design makes it look like he's throwing a smoking ball. Kind of magical, really.

 

#11 - 1999 (Jeff Kent)

 

Is there a grass/turf equivalent to a "Tatooine" card? Seeing an infielder fielding with no sign of dirt is just odd, and the fact the background is almost entirely green makes it stand out.

 

We've got just 10 more cards left in the countdown - tune in tomorrow to see who's the best of the best!

Ranking 50 Years Worth Of Topps #330 Cards #30 - #21

In honor of my 50th birthday, I'm ranking all 51 Topps base cards numbered #330 since 1975. Why #330? Because my birthday was on 03/30. Why 51 cards when I've turned 50? Because that's how math works, and as my father-in-law likes to say, I didn't turn 50, I started my 51st year of existence!

 

Today we continue the count down starting with the worst #330 in the history of Topps base sets (since 1975 - get with the theme here!) and through the next 10 on the list. Rankings are purely subjective to my whim. 

#30 - 1981 (Frank White)

1981 Topps will always be one of my favorite set designs. Frank White has a great smile!

 

#29 - 2000 (Butch Huskey)

 

Huskey however looks pissed. It's such a nice card with a crisp looking background though!

 

#28 - 1979 (George Brett)

 

I consider myself lucky that I can count an All-Star card of a Hall of Fame player amongst this list of #330 cards, but it's not one of Brett's best cards by a long shot.

 

#27 - 1998 (Steve Finley)

 

Finley swings as the ball flies towards him. Does he connect? Will he get a hit? Hope springs eternal with this card.

 

#26 - 1986 (Rick Sutcliffe)

 

I really want to know what shampoo and conditioner Sutcliffe used back in the day. That hair just screams "chick-magnet!"

 

#25 - 1978 (Bob Watson)

 

Ah...there's nothing quite like the Houston sunset....

 

#24 - 2002 (Kenny Baugh)

 

I can tell you 2 things about Kenny Baugh: He never reached the Majors, and he threw a split-fingered fastball.

 

#23 - 1996 (Reggie Sanders)

 

Sanders was always one of those guys that was much better than people realize. That he only made one All-Star team surprises me.

 

#22 - 1987 (Mike Scott)

 

Gregory at Nine Pockets recently did an excellent post about 1987 Topps. This was the first set I ever completed by hand and will always be held in high regard by me.

 

#21 - 2009 (Daisuke Matsuzaka)

 

Now here's a shock! The lone Red Sox card on this list and it doesn't even make the Top 20? Blasphemy! Yeah, I wrestled with it's placement. It is what it is.

 

31 cards down, 20 to go! Tune in tomorrow as the cream starts rising to the top!

Ranking 50 Years Worth Of Topps #330 Cards #40 - #31

In honor of my 50th birthday, this week I'm ranking all 51 Topps base cards numbered #330 since 1975. Why #330? Because my birthday was on 03/30. Why 51 cards when I've turned 50? Because that's how math works, and as my father-in-law likes to say: I didn't turn 50, I started my 51st year of existence!

 

Today we continue the count down starting with the 40th best #330 in the history of Topps base sets (since 1975 - get with the theme here!). Rankings are purely subjective to my whim. 

#40 - 2005 (David Wright/Craig Brazell)

 

One of the fun things about the Future Stars subset is that you know it's pretty hit or miss when it comes to predicting actual stardom. This card is a great representative of that - on one hand you have Hall of Fame hopeful David Wright, and right below him a guy who only made it into 29 games. It's a boring card really, but Wright's star power kept it out of the bottom group of cards.

#39 - 1980 (Al Cowens)

Another card I initially thought would be more in the mid-level range. Nothing against it at all, just found myself picking other cards ahead of it!

#38 - 1990 (Ron Darling)

 

Bonus points to Darling for being a player I've met and gotten a signed ball from!

#37 - 1993 (Danny Tartabull)

 

Tartabull was always one of those guys I hated seeing step up to the plate when he faced the Red Sox. He hit the ball hard, and that is shown in this card.

#36 - 1985 (Leon Durham)

Major League Baseball needs more guys named Leon.

#35 - 2001 (Don Baylor)

Manager cards are cool, especially when it's a well known and well respected player. If he wasn't squinting in this picture he might have been ranked higher.

#34 - 2010 (Brandon Allen)

 

I like how the border and team name are in sync with the player's jersey. This card could have been cropped better though.

#33 - 1984 (John Candelaria)

The "Candy Man" is sticking out his tongue while wearing that fantastic pillbox style hat.

#32 - 1977 (George Hendrick)

The hat, the jacket, the foo-Manchu mustache...Hendrick had style!

#31 - 2019 (Lorenzo Cain)

If a player's uniform isn't this dirty by the end of a game, he isn't trying hard enough!

 

The countdown continues tomorrow with #30-21! 

Ranking 50 Years Worth Of Topps #330 Cards #51 - #41

In honor of my 50th birthday, I'm ranking all 51 Topps base cards numbered #330 since 1975. Why #330? Because my birthday was on 03/30. Why 51 cards when I've turned 50? Because that's how math works, and as my father-in-law likes to say, I didn't turn 50, I started my 51st year of existence!

 

Today we count down starting with the worst #330 in the history of Topps base sets (since 1975 - get with the theme here!) and through the next 10 on the list. Rankings are purely subjective to my whim.

 

Just to give you an idea of how I did this, I gathered images of all 51 cards together, grabbed the ones I'd pick if this were merely a Top 10, and put them aside. I then grabbed the next 10 best, and so on and so forth. 5 groups of cards, and for each of them I ordered the lot as I saw fit. It was much easier to do 5 Top-10 (or 11 in today's case) lists then one giant 50 card list.

#51 - 2003 (Juan Rivera/Marcus Thames)

 

It would be easy to say that this card came in last because of my particular team bias, and you'd be right to a point. There are other Yankee cards in this list ranked much higher though. This is just a boring card, although I was surprised to find out each of these guys had solid careers that lasted at least decade at the Major League level.

 

#50 - 1995 (Randy Myers)

 

The only thing this card really has going for it is that it's a candidate for Johnny's Saturday Shadow Shots posts. (FYI - I see a playground slide).

 

#49 - 1988 (Ed Whitson)

 

I'm pretty sure that how my arms looked when I tried to throw a ball as a kid. The difference between me and Whitson is my baseball landed two feet in front of me.

 

#48 - 1982 (Rick Wise)

 

If this image wasn't so grainy I might like it more. I do appreciate players wearing glasses...

 

#47 - 1997 (Pat Hentgen)

 

The borders of the 1997 set clashed with so many card photos. That sharp blue jersey doesn't look good surrounded by red.

 

#46 - 1983 (Buddy Bell)

 

Have the Rangers brought back this uniform recently? They should. Baseball needs more racing stripes.

 

#45 - 2015 (Brian Duensing)

 

The color scheme works a lot better here than with Hentgen. His contortions look like he's going to lose a couple of buttons on that jersey.

 

#44 - 1994 (Charles Nagy)

 

I went back and forth between Duensing and Nagy, but gave Nagy the edge because he from the era of Cleveland baseball where I see the uniform and think of the movie "Major League."

 

#43 - 2025 (Jake Burger)

 

The newest #330 isn't horrible, it just gives me the same disinterested look that Burger seems to have...

 

#42 - 1989 (Eric Davis)

 

I surprised myself with having Davis this low in the countdown. I thought this card would be higher.

 

#41 - 2017 (Doug Fister)

 

I like being able to clearly see the grip on a ball when a pitcher is throwing, but the angle makes his arm look oddly elongated.

 

Eleven cards down, forty to go! Tune in tomorrow for the next group of ten!