1979 Topps Baseball Cards
Product Details
The 1979 Topps Baseball checklist has 726 standard-sized cards measuring 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. The key in the set is the Ozzie Smith rookie card (#116). Pictured as a member of the the Padres, it's almost uncomfortable seeing the eventual Hall of Famer in a uniform other than the Cardinals. Unfortunately, after Smith, the level of quality rookie cards drops off dramatically. Others included in the 1979 Topps Baseball card set include Carney Lansford (#212), Pedro Guerrero (#719) and Rick Honeycutt (#612). The majority of these players are found on multi-player cards on higher number cards later in the set. In the past, these rookies were assembled based on position. However, for 1979 Topps Baseball, the company decided to utilize a theme based on prospects by team.
Instead of the rookies, it's veterans like Nolan Ryan (#115), Pete Rose (#650) and Mike Schmidt (#610) that command more overall collector interest and attention. Several stars from the past are featured on the All-Time Record Holders subset that runs from card numbers 411 to 418. Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson and Roger Maris are some of the featured players. Another notable card is that of Bump Wills (#369). When the set first came out, he was shown in a Rangers uniform but named as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Topps did issue a corrected version of the card. However, neither card commands any sort of premium. Also of note is that 1979 would be the last regular-issue card of Yankees catcher, Thurman Munson, who died tragically in an airplane crash.
Subsets
Included within the base set are the following subsets:
- League Leaders (#1-8)
- Record Breakers (#201-206)
- Season and Career Record Holders (#411-418)
- Team Rookie Prospects (#701-726)
Design
Much like the 1978 Topps Baseball design, card fronts have a simple look to them. A large player photo dominates the landscape on the front of the card. Just underneath the bottom edge of the player photograph is their name. Below that, a color banner includes the team nickname A Topps logo inside a baseball inset on the bottom left hand corner rounds out the design elements. Players who had been selected for the All-Star team have an additional and contrasting color banner placed above their name designating as a specific league All-Star.
The card backs of the 1979 Topps Baseball card set contain the customary biographical and statistical information including, when room is available, a brief piece of player trivia. A baseball themed trivia game called Baseball Dates is also incorporated onto the card backs.
Distribution and Condition Issues
1979 Topps Baseball cards were sold in the following formats; wax packs, cello packs and rack packs. Printed as an entire, single series, 66 of the cards were double printed to fill the printing sheets. The most common condition issue for the set is centering. Many of the cards in the set are absolute plagued by this condition. This translates into a significant premium, considering their era, for cards receiving high-grades.
Test Issue
In 1979 Topps issued a test offering consisting of 33 wax wrapper comics measuring 3" by 3¼". As with many Topps issues, at the time, they weren't very popular with collectors. Years later, there has been a renewed appreciation for the tiny comic wax canvases. Included in the set are many stars from the day, such as, Nolan Ryan (#4), George Brett (#9), Eddie Murray (#1), Jim Rice (#2) and Carl Yastrzemski (#3) to name a few.
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Key Cards
Key 1979 Topps Baseball Cards
Ozzie Smith RC #116
Nolan Ryan #115
Thurman Munson #310
George Brett #330
Mike Schmidt #610
Eddie Murray #640
Pete Rose #650
Set Checklist
1979 Topps Baseball Set Checklist
2 George Foster and Jim Rice Home Run Leaders
3 George Foster and Jim Rice RBI Leaders
4 Ron LeFlore and Omar Moreno Stolen Base Leaders
5 Ron Guidry and Gaylord Perry Win Leaders
6 J.R. Richard and Nolan Ryan Strikeout Leaders
7 Ron Guidry and Craig Swan ERA Leaders
8 Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage Leading Firemen
9 Dave Campbell
10 Lee May
11 Marc Hill
12 Dick Drago
13 Paul Dade
14 Rafael Landestoy
15 Ross Grimsley
16 Fred Stanley
17 Donnie Moore
18 Tony Solaita
19 Larry Gura
20 Joe Morgan
21 Kevin Kobel
22 Mike Jorgensen
23 Terry Forster
24 Paul Molitor
25 Steve Carlton
26 Jamie Quirk
27 Dave Goltz
28 Steve Brye
29 Rick Langford
30 Dave Winfield
31 Tom House
32 Jerry Mumphrey
33 Dave Rozema
34 Rob Andrews
35 Ed Figueroa
36 Alan Ashby
37 Joe Kerrigan
38 Bernie CaRecord Breakero
39 Dale Murphy
40 Dennis Eckersley
41 Minnesota Twins Checklist
42 Ron Blomberg
43 Wayne Twitchell
44 Kurt Bevacqua
45 Al Hrabosky
46 Ron Hodges
47 Fred Norman
48 Merv Rettenmund
49 Vern Ruhle
50 Steve Garvey
51 Ray Fosse
52 Randy Lerch
53 Mick Kelleher
54 Dell Alston
55 Willie Stargell
56 John Hale
57 Eric Rasmussen
58 Bob Randall
59 John Denny
60 Mickey River
61 Bo Diaz
62 Randy Moffitt
63 Jack Brohamer
64 Tom Underwood
65 Mark Belanger
66 Detroit Tigers Checklist
67 Jim Mason
68 Joe Niekro
69 Elliott Maddox
70 John Candelaria
71 Brian Downing
72 Steve Mingori
73 Ken Henderson
74 Shane Rawley RC
75 Steve Yeager
76 Warren Cromartie
77 Dan Briggs
78 Elias Sosa
79 Ted Cox
80 Jason Thompson
81 Roger Erickson RC
82 New York Mets Checklist
83 Fred Kendall
84 Greg Minton
85 Gary Matthews
86 Rodney Scott
87 Pete Falcones
88 Bob Molinaro RC
89 Dick Tidrow
90 Bob Boone
91 Terry Crowley
92 Jim Bibby
93 Phil Mankowski
94 Len Barker
95 Robin Yount
96 Checklisteveland Indians Checklist
97 Sam Mejias
98 Ray Burris
99 John Wathan
100 Tom Seaver
101 Roy Howell
102 Mike Anderson
103 Jim Todd
104 Johnny Oates
105 Rick Camp
106 Frank Duffy
107 Jesus Alou
108 Eduardo Rodriguez
109 Joel Youngblood
110 Vida Blue
111 Roger Freed
112 Philadelphia Phillies Checklist
113 Pete Redfern
114 Cliff Johnson
115 Nolan Ryan
116 Ozzie Smith RC
117 Grant Jackson
118 Bud Harrelson
119 Don Stanhouse
120 Jim Sundberg
121 Checklist 1-121
122 Mike Paxton
123 Lou Whitaker
124 Dan Schatzeder
125 Rick Burleson
126 Doug Bair
127 Thad Bosley
128 Ted Martinez
129 Marty Pattin
130 Bob Watson
131 Jim Checklistancy
132 Rowland Office
133 Bill Castro
134 Alan Bannister
135 Bobby Murcer
136 Jim Kaat
137 Larry Wolfe RC
138 Mark Lee RC
139 Luis Pujols RC
140 Don Gullett
141 Tom Paciorek
142 Charlie Williams
143 Tony Scott
144 Sandy Alomar
145 Rick Rhoden
146 Duane Kuiper
147 Dave Hamilton
148 Bruce BoisChecklistair
149 Manny sarmiento
150 Wayne Cage
151 John Hiller
152 Rick Cerone
153 Dennis Lamp
154 Jim Gantner
155 Dwight Evans
156 Buddy Solomon RC
157 U.L. Washington UER
158 Joe Sambito
159 Roy White
160 Mike Flanagan
161 Barry Foote
162 Tom Johnson
163 Glenn Burke
164 Mickey Lolich
165 Frank Taveras
166 Leon Roberts
167 Roger Metzger
168 Dave Freisleben
169 Bill Nahorodny
170 Don Sutton
171 Gene Checklistines
172 Mike Bruhert RC
173 John Lowenstein
174 Rick AueRecord Breakerach
175 George Hendrick
176 Aurelio Rodriguez
177 Ron Reed
178 Alvis Woods
179 Jim Beattie RC
180 Larry Hisle
181 Mike Garman
182 Tim Johnson
183 Paul Splittorff
184 Darrel Chaney
185 Mike Torrez
186 Eric Soderholm
187 Mark Lemongello
188 Pat Kelly
189 Eddie Whitson RC
190 Ron Cey
191 Mike Norris
192 St. Louis Cardinals Checklist
193 Glenn Adams
194 Randy Jones
195 Bill Madlock
196 Steve Kemp
197 Bob Apodaca
198 Johnny Grubb
199 Larry Milbourne
200 Johnny Bench
201 Mike Edwards Record Breaker
202 Ron Guidry Record Breaker
203 J.R. Richard Record Breaker
204 Pete Rose Record Breaker
205 John Stearns Record Breaker
206 Sammy Stewart Record Breaker
207 Dave Lemanczyk
208 Checklistarence Gaston
209 Reggie Checklisteveland
210 Larry Bowa
211 Denny Martinez
212 Carney Lansford RC
213 Bill Travers
214 Boston Red Sox Checklist
215 Willie McCovey
216 Wilbur Wood
217 Steve Dillard
218 Dennis Leonard
219 Roy Smalley
220 Cesar Geronimo
221 Jesse Jefferson
222 Bob Beall RC
223 Kent Tekulve
224 Dave Revering
225 Rich Gossage
226 Ron Pruitt
227 Steve Stone
228 Vic Davalillo
229 Doug Flynn
230 Bob Forsch
231 Johnny Wockenfuss
232 Jimmy Sexton RC
233 Paul Mitchell
234 Toby Harrah
235 Steve Rogers
236 Jim Dwyer
237 Billy Smith
238 Balor Moore
239 Willie Horton
240 Rick Reuschel
241 Checklist 122-242
242 Pablo Torrealba
243 Buck Martinez
244 Pittsburgh Pirates Checklist
245 Jeff Burroughs
246 Darrell Jackson RC
247 Tucker Ashford
248 Pete LaCock
249 Paul Thormodsgard
250 Willie Randolph
251 Jack Morris
252 Bob Stinson
253 Rick Wise
254 Luis Gomez
255 Tommy John
256 Mike Sadek
257 Adrian Devine
258 Mike Phillips
259 Cincinnati Reds Checklist
260 Richie Zisk
261 Mario Guerrero
262 Nelson Briles
263 Oscar Gamble
264 Don Robinson RC
265 Don Money
266 Jim Willoughby
267 Joe Rudi
268 Julio Gonzales
269 Woody Fryman
270 Butch Hobson
271 Rawly Eastwick
272 Tim Corcoran
273 Jerry Terrell
274 Willie Norwood
275 Junior Moore
276 Jim Colborn
277 Tom Grieve
278 Andy Messersmith
279 Jerry Grote
280 Andre Thornton
281 Vic Correll
282 Toronto Blue Jays Checklist
283 Ken Kravec
284 Johnnie LeMaster
285 Bobby Bonds
286 Duffy Dyer
287 Andres Mora
288 Milt Wilcox
289 Jose Cruz
290 Dave Lopes
291 Tom Griffin
292 Don Reynolds RC
293 Jerry Garvin
294 Pepe Frias
295 Mitchell Page
296 Preston Hanna RC
297 Ted Sizemore
298 Rich Gale RC
299 Steve Ontiveros
300 Rod Carew
301 Tom Hume
302 All-Time Leadersanta Braves Checklist
303 Larry Sorensen
304 Steve Swisher
305 Willie Montanez
306 Floyd Bannister
307 Larvell Blanks
308 Bert Blyleven
309 Ralph Garr
310 Thurman Munson
311 Gar Lavelle
312 Bob Robertson
313 Dyar Miller
314 Larry Harlow
315 Jon MAll-Time Leadersack
316 Milt May
317 Jose Cardenal
318 Bob Welsh RC
319 Wayne Garrett
320 Carl Yastrzemski
321 Gaylord Perry
322 Danny Goodwin RC
323 Lynn McGlothen
324 Mike Tyson
325 Cecil Cooper
326 Pedro BoRecord Breakeron
327 Art Howe
328 Oakland Athletics Checklist
329 Joe Coleman
330 George Brett
331 Mickey Mahler
332 Gary Alexander
333 Chat Lemon
334 Craig Swan
335 Chris Chambliss
336 Bobby Thompson RC
337 John Montague
338 Vic Harris
339 Ron Jackson
340 Jim Palmer
341 Willie Upshaw RC
342 Dave Roberts
343 Ed Glynn
344 Jerry Royster
345 Tug McGraw
346 Bill Buckner
347 Doug Rau
348 Andre Dawson
349 Jim Wright RC
350 Garry Templeton
351 Wayne Nordhagen
352 Steve Renko
353 Checklist 243-363
354 Bill Bonham
355 Lee Mazzilli
356 San Francisco Giants Checklist
357 Jerry Augustine
358 Alan Trammell
359 Dan Spillner
360 Amos Otis
361 Tom Dixon RC
362 Mike Cubbage
363 Craig Skok RC
364 Gene Richards
365 Sparky Lyle
366 Juan Bernhardt
367 Dave Skaggs
368 Don Aase
369 Bump Wills - Rangers
369 Bump Wills - Blue Jays
370 Dave Kingman
371 Jeff Holly RC
372 Lamar Johnson
373 Lance Rautzhan
374 Ed Herrmann
375 Bill Campbell
377 Paul Moskau
378 Rob Picciolo
379 Dale Murray
380 John Mayberry
381 Houston Astros Checklist
382 Jerry Martin
383 Phil Garner
384 Tommy Boggs
385 Dan Ford
386 Francisco Barrios
387 Gary Thomasson
388 Jack Billingham
389 Joe Zdeb
390 Rollie Fingers
391 Al Oliver
392 Doug Ault
393 Scott McGregor
394 Randy Stein RC
395 Dave Cash
396 Bill Plummer
397 Sergio Ferrer
398 Ivan DeJesus
399 David Checklistyde
400 Jim Rice
401 Ray Knight
402 Paul Hartzell
403 Tim Foli
404 Chicago White Sox Checklist
405 Butch Wynegar
406 Joe Wallis
407 Pete Vuckovich
408 Charlie Moore
409 Willie Wilson RC
410 Darrell Evans
411 Ty Cobb and Goerge Sisler All-Time Leaders
412 Hank Aaron and Hack Wilson All-Time Leaders
413 Hank Aaron and Roger Maris All-Time Leaders
414 Ty Cobb and Rogers Hornsby All-Time Leaders
415 Lou Brock All-Time Leaders
416 Jack Chesbro and Cy Young All-Time Leaders
417 Walter Johnson and Nolan Ryan All-Time Leaders
418 Walter Johnson and Dutch Leonard All-Time Leaders
419 Dick Ruthven
420 Ken Griffey
421 Doug DeCinces
422 Ruppert Jones
423 Bob Montgomery
424 California Angels Checklist
425 Rick Manning
426 Chris Speier
427 Andy Replogle RC
428 Bobby Valentine
429 John Urrea
430 Dave Parker
431 Glenn Borgmann
432 Dave Heaverlo
433 Larry Biittner
434 Ken Checklistay
435 Gene Tenace
436 Hector Cruz
437 Rick Williams RC
438 Horace Speed RC
439 Frank White
440 Rusty Staub
441 Lee Lacy
442 Doyle Alexander
443 Bruce Bochte
444 Aurelio Lopez
445 Steve Henderson
446 Jim Lonborg
447 Manny Sanguillen
448 Moose Haas
449 Bombo Rivera
450 Dave Concepcion
451 Kansas City Royals Checklist
452 Jerry Morales
453 Chris Knapp
454 Len Randle
455 Bill Lee
456 Chuck Baker RC
457 Bruce Sutter
458 Jim Essian
459 Sid Monge
460 Graig Nettles
461 Jim Barr
462 Otto Velez
463 Steve Comer RC
464 Joe Nolan
465 Reggie Smith
466 Mark Littell
467 Don Kessinger
468 Stan Bahnsen
469 Lance Parrish
470 Garry Maddox
471 Joaquin Andujar
472 Graig Kusick
473 Dave Roberts
474 Dick Davis RC
475 Dan Driessen
476 Tom Poquette
477 Bob Grich
478 Juan Beniquez
479 San Diego Padres Checklist
480 Fred Lynn
481 Skip Lockwood
482 Craig Reynolds
483 Checklist 364-484
484 Rick Waits
485 Bucky Dent
486 Bob Knepper
487 Miguel Dilone
488 Bob Owchinko
489 Larry Cox
490 Al Cowens
491 Tippy Martinez
492 Bob Bailor
493 Larry Christenson
494 Jerry White
495 Tony Perez
496 Barry Bonnell
497 Glenn Abbott
498 Rich Chiles
499 Texas Rangers Checklist
500 Ron Guidry
501 Junior Kennedy RC
502 Steve Braun
503 Terry Humphrey
504 Larry McWilliams RC
505 Ed Kranepool
506 John D'Acquisto
507 Tony Armas
508 Charlie Hough
509 Mario Mendoza
510 Ted Simmons
511 Paul Reuschel
512 Jack Checklistark
513 Dave Johnson
514 Mike Proly RC
515 Enos Cabell
516 Champ Summers
517 Al Bumbry
518 Jim Umbarger
519 Ben Oglivie
520 Gary Carter
521 Sam Ewing
522 Ken Holtzman
523 John Milner
524 Tom Burgmeier
525 Freddie Patek
526 Los Angeles Dodgers Checklist
527 Lerrin LaGrow
528 Wayne Gross
529 Brian Asselstine
530 Frank Tanana
531 Fernando Gonzalez
532 Buddy Schultz
533 Leroy Stanton
534 Ken Forsch
535 Ellis Valentine
536 Jerry Reusss
537 Tom Veryzer
538 Mike Ivie
539 John Ellis
540 Greg Luzinski
541 Jim Slaton
542 Rick Bosetti
543 Kiko Garcia
544 Fergie Jenkins
545 John Stearns
546 Bill Russell
547 Checklistint Hurdle
548 Enrique Romo
549 Bob Bailey
550 Sal Bando
551 Chicago Cubs Checklist
552 Jose Morales
553 Denny Walling
554 Matt Keough
555 Biff Pocoroba
556 Mike Lum
557 Ken Brett
558 Jay Johnstone
559 Greg Pryor
560 John Montefusco
561 Ed Ott
562 Dusty Baker
563 Roy Thomas
564 Jerry Turner
565 Rico Carty
566 Nina Espinosa
567 Rich Hebner
568 Carlos Lopez
569 Bob Sykes
570 Cesar Cedeno
571 Darrell Porter
572 Rod Gilbreath
573 Jim Kern
574 Checklistaudell Washington
575 Luis Tiant
576 Mike Parrott
577 Milwaukee Brewers Checklist
578 Pete Broberg
579 Greg Gross
580 Ron Fairly
581 Darold Knowles
582 Paul Blair
583 Julio Cruz
584 Jim Rooker
585 Hal McRae
586 Bob Horner RC
587 Ken Reitz
588 Tom Murphy
589 Terry Whitfield
590 J.R. Richard
591 Mike Hargrove
592 Mike Krukow
593 Rick Dempsey
594 Bob Shirley
595 Phil Niekro
596 Jim Wohlford
597 Bob Stanley
598 Mark Wagner
599 Jim Spencer
600 George Foster
601 Dave LaRoche
602 Checklist 485-605
603 Rudy May
604 Jeff Newman
605 Rick Monday
606 Montreal Expos Checklist
607 Omar Moreno
608 Dave Mckay
609 Silvio Martinez RC
610 Mike Schmidt
611 Jim Norris
612 Rick Honeycutt RC
613 Mike Edwards RC
614 Will Hernandez
615 Ken Singleton
616 Billy Almon
617 Terry Puhl
618 Jerry Remy
619 Ken Landreaux RC
620 Bert Campaneris
621 Pat Zachry
622 Dave Collins
623 Bob McChecklisture
624 Larry Herndon
625 Mark Fidrych
626 New York Yankees Checklist
627 Gary Serum RC
628 Del Unser
629 Gene Garber
630 Bake McBride
631 Jorge Orta
632 Don Kirkwood
633 Rob Wilfong RC
634 Paul Lindblad
635 Don Baylor
636 Wayne Garland
637 Bill Robinson
638 Al Fitzmorris
639 Manny Trillo
640 Eddie Murray
641 Bobby Castillo RC
642 Wilbur Howard
643 Tom Hausman
644 Manny Mota
645 George Scott
646 Rick Sweet
647 Bob Lacey
648 Lou Piniella
649 John Curtis
650 Pete Rose
651 Mike Caldwell
652 Stan Papi RC
653 Warren Brusstar
654 Rick Miller
655 Jerry Koosman
656 Hosken Powell
657 George Medich
658 Taylor Duncan RC
659 Seattle Mariners Checklist
660 Ron LeFlore
661 Bruce Kison
662 Kevin Bell
663 Mike Vail
664 Doug Bird
665 Lou Brock
666 Rich Dauer
667 Don Hood
668 Bill North
669 Checklist 606-726
670 Jim Hunter
671 Joe Ferguson
672 Ed Halicki
673 Tom Hutton
674 Dave Tomlin
675 Tim McCarver
676 Johnny Sutton RC
677 Larry Parrish
678 Geoff Zahn
679 Darrell Thomas
680 Carlton Fisk
681 John Henry Johnson
682 Dave Chalk
683 Dan Meyer
684 Jamie Easterly
685 Sixto Lezcano
686 Ron Schueler
687 Rennie Stennett
688 Mike Willis
689 Baltimore Orioles Checklist
690 Buddy Bell
691 Dock Ellis
692 Mickey Stanley
693 Dave Rader
694 Burt Hooton
695 Keith Hernandez
696 Andy Hassler
697 Dave Bergman
698 Bill Stein
699 Hal Dues RC
700 Reggie Jackson
701 Mark Corey, John Flinn and Sammy Stewart - Orioles Prospects
702 Joel Finch, Garry Hancock and Allen Ripley - Red Sox Prospects
703 Jim Anderson, Dave Frost and Bob Slater - Angels Prospects
704 Ross Baumgarten, Mike Colbern and Mike Squires - White Sox Prospects
705 Alfredo Griffin, Tim Norrid and Dave Oliver - Indians Prospects
706 Dave Stegman, Dave Tobik and Kip Young - Tigers Prospects
707 Randy Bass, Jim Gaudet and Randy McGilberry - Royals Prospects
708 Kevin Bass, Eddie Romero and Ned Yost - Brewers Prospects
709 Sam Perlozzo, Rick Sofield and Kevin Stanfield - Twins Prospects
710 Brian Doyle, Mike Heath and Dave Rajsich - Yankees Prospects
711 Dwayne Murphy, Bruce Robinson and Alan Wirth - Athletics Prospects
712 Bud Anderson, Greg Biercevicz and Byron McLaughlin - Mariners Prospects
713 Danny Darwin, Pat Putnam and Billy Sample - Rangers Prospects
714 Victor Cruz, Pat Kelly and Ernie Witt - Blue Jays Prospects
715 Bruce Benedict, Glenn Hubbard and Larry Whisenton - Braves Prospects
716 Dave Geisel, Karl Pagel and Scot Thompson - Cubs Prospects
717 Mike LaCoss, Ron Oester and Harry Spilman - Reds Prospects
718 Bruce Bochy, Mike Fischlin and Don Pisker - Astros Prospects
719 Pedro Guerrero, Rudy Law and Joe Simpson - Dodgers Prospects
720 Jerry Fry, Jerry Pirtle and Scott Sanderson - Expos Prospects
721 Juan Berenguer, Dwight Bernard and Dan Norman - Mets Prospects
722 Jim Morrison, Lonnie Smith and Jim Wright - Phillies Prospects
723 Dale Berra, Eugenio Cotes and Ben Wiltbank - Pirates Prospects
724 Tom Bruno, George Frazier and Terry Kennedy - Cardinals Prospects
725 Jim Beswick, Steve Mura and Broderick Perkins - Padres Prospects
726 Greg Johnston, Joe Strain and John Tamargo - Giants Prospects
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