The Straw That Stirs the 1983 Topps Traded Set

The 1983 Topps Traded set was a turning point in the collecting world. Even though the 1982 set fetches a higher premium today with the Cal Ripken, Jr Rookie, this set was immediately at the top of the list to get the Rookie Card of #1 Overall Pick from 1980.

Strawberry, like Fernando Valenzuela just two years earlier, was an overnight sensation. As shown on his card, he was knocking extra-base hits with regularity as early as May of 1983.

After Strawberry, the list of big name rookies shrinks quickly. At the time, however, Catcher Ron Kittle was having a similar impact on the American League that Strawberry had in the NL. The only Twins in the set were Rookies Randy Bush and Len Whitehouse. The Age-less wonder Julio Franco was a rookie in the 83 Traded Set as well, coming over to Cleveland from Philadelphia.

Speaking of Philly, 2 of the set's 3 Hall of Famers were on the move to the Phillies in 1983. The move to add veteran leadership this time did not have the same magic it did in 1980. Tom Seaver was making a homecoming to his first franchise, taking another tour with the New York Mets.

While the set doesn't have a very high profile, there were some fairly notable players with new teams. Steve Garvey and Ron Cey found new digs outside of LA, and Keith Hernandez began the second half of his career. Fresh off a championship in 1982 with the Cardinals, he sought to bring another to Queens in the coming years. The 1983 set also brought back Manager cards! Billy Martin came back to New York, again, after a successful (if tumultuous) run of "Billy Ball" in Oakland.

Here are some of my favorite images from the set. 

This was too bad - they had a photo of Valentine in his Angels uniform, but chose not to use it in the main section. Topps gets an "A" for level of difficulty, but the photoshop job was not great.

The Joy Of A Completed Run

I nearly made this post a few months ago, when I purchased a "complete" 1983 Topps Traded set on eBay for only $12! Well, I still feel like I got a good deal on the set, even though it turned out that one card in particular was missing. I could have been upset about this, but the very low cost combined with the fact that the set was the only card related item on the seller's store made me think they weren't trying to cheat anyone. I let them know that the card was missing from the set, and that someone most likely pulled it out before the set made it to them.

I found this one on COMC, purchased with some store credit that I earned from a PayPal payment from a friend for Twins tickets. So now I've completed the whole run of 80s Topps Traded Sets!

I didn't know the 1981 Traded Set came in the same box design, so it was a surprise to find it on eBay. Most of these were picked up at shows or card shops for a couple bucks. The 1982 set of course was the big ticket item, I hemmed and hawed on that one for some time before buying it. But once I added it, I figured I should do the whole run of sets with the same box design.

I have two questions for you (thanks for reading this far!)

1. Which traded set is your favorite? (I'm partial to 1986 for the crazy rookie checklist)

2. Why are the traded sets exactly 132 cards? (I don't know the answer, I'm hoping someone out there does)

Page Two - At The Bat Rack Frankenset

You may recall (but probably not) the first page of this Frankenset many moons ago, and I've finally been able to fill a second page!


Here's a Frankenset using a mini-collection of mine, players at the bat rack.

Rules -
9 different players
9 different card sets
9 different teams
player is at the bat rack (or bat pile) in or near the dugout
Have fun (most important)

Without further adieu, Page Two:

The backs:

10- Richie Ashburn 1983 C.C.C. reprints of 1953 Bowman Color
11- Darryl Strawberry 1988 Star (Darryl Strawberry Set)
12- Jimmie Dykes 1982 G.S. Gallery All-Time Greats
13- Jim Tatum 1993 Upper Deck 
14- Bruce Fields 1983 San Jose Bees Team Issue
15- Darrin Jackson 1992 Mother's Cookies San Diego Padres
16- Stan Musial 1977-84 TCMA Renata Galasso
17- Tim Gillis 1991 Classic Best Durham Bulls
18- Ernie Banks 2000 Upper Deck Legends

Finding a card for slot #14 took a looong time. I was able to find this one of Bruce Fields on COMC (good thing Fields also Hits, or I'd still be looking!).

Using the reprint for the 1953 Bowman Color was more than just for saving money, it also is smaller than the original, so it actually fits in the 9 pocket page. 

Hopefully I can get to the next page in less time it took to fill this one!