1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan ROOKIE [back damage] (Mets,HOF)

The (2) top rookie cards that year were of players who never made the Hall-of-Fame but they sure had impact. Both played in the 'Big Apple'. Darryl Strawberry with the Mets and Don Mattingly across town with the Yankees.

Mattingly was the top firstbaseman nearly every year he played but his career was cut short by injury.
Strawberry's played 17 years in which many he was a top star. It's likely that other factors kept him out of the Hall.

Highlights of the 1979 Topps baseball card set are:
* Hall-of-Famer Ozzie Smith's rookie card,
* (2) Bump Wills variations; Rangers and the ERROR Blue Jays,
* Special All-Time Leaders with Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan...
* Packed as (37) or more cards featured Hall-of-Famers !!!

Given all of the above, the 1979 set is very affordable.

TOP ROOKIES were Hall-of-Famers Eddie Murray, Paul Molitor, Alan Trammell & Jack Morris.

NOTE: Ozzie Smith is by far the most value card in the set. Unfortuantely, for some reason, it suffered from poor sheet cutting and most Ozzie rookies are well off center.

1960 & 1961 Fleer baseball card sets of old-timers like Babe Ruth bombed. Kids wanted Willie Mays & Mickey Mantle. Topps had rights to baseball cards & gum so Fleer tried something new ... COOKIES !!!
Cherry flavored cookies with 1963 baseball cards.
1963 Fleer baseball card set was cut short at 66 cards & checklist by Topps lawsuit. But what 66 cards! Attractive & packed: Clemente,Koufax... & 2 very scare Short Prints.
Maury Wills 'rookie' card is a story. Majors in 1959, quickly superstar. But 1963 for rookie ??? In 1959 Topps deemed Wills NOT WORTHY.

Wills was upset. After 1962 MVP, Topps came knocking but he said "NO!". Finally, 1967, Wills first Topps & most costly card. Note: 1961 Post Cereal card, years BEFORE 'official' rookie. He also photo-bombed a 1960 Topps card.

Disclaimer: Above mostly true - but Wills has said "no feud".