1978 Topps

902 different players suited up to play ball in 1977. Only 33 of them would end up in Cooperstown. That is just 0.036%. Therein lies how rare it is to be that good.

Willie Stargell & Rich Gossage were teammates in 1977. Only 8 other teams featured eventual HOF teammates.

In hindsight, we know there was 33 eventual HOF players but at the time, only the following 13 players Willie Stargell, Willie McCovey, Rod Carew, Carl Yastrzemski, Tom Seaver, Jim Palmer, Reggie Jackson, Lou Brock, Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench & Brooks Robinson would have been considered immortal locks.


On November 22, 1977 Yankees sign Gossage to a 6 year/$3.6 deal. That's $600,000 a year.
Which at the time represented the highest total package for any player in history. [1]

About the Cards

1978 Topps is a perfect design.  Simple.

Rich Gossage does not have a card appearing in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. Prior to 1981’s “Traded” series concept when a star player signed with a new team while Topps was headed to press they invariably air brushed the new uniform on. It always looked bad. 

Furthermore, that isn’t Yankee Stadium in the back.

A contemplative “Pop” looks into the distance wondering what might have been had he been healthy in 1977.


Note
1. Chass, Murray, (November 23, 1977) The New York Times.