Late-series NL/AL Rookies

Each year in the last series, Topps included some "AL Rookies" and "NL Rookies" cards, where players (not on the same team) were pictured. My assumption has always been that Topps waited until after the season started, then used these cards as a "catch-all" for some previously un-documented rookies.

First, we have the lone AL Rookies card, featuring Rod Carew and Hank Allen. Topps hit a homerun here, as these 2 players appeared in more games in 1967 than any other rookie not already appearing on a card.
(Since this is one of the five 1967 cards I don't own, I don't have a scan of the card back.)

Card #576 features Ramon Hernandez and Norm Gigon. After 8 years in the minors, Gigon appears to have parlayed a 3-run homer in his major-league debut into a late-season rookie card.


Card #587 features Don Shaw and Gary Sutherland. Sutherland was the backup SS/LF for the Phillies in 1967, and saw action in a lot of games. The following season, he faded into a utility/pinch-hitting role, and was claimed by the Expos in the expansion draft following the 1968 season.


Card #592 features Jim Shellenback and Ron Willis. Willis was a useful addition to the Cardinals' bullpen on their way to winning the 1967 World Series.



OK, now let's consult the chart below to see how well Topps speculated on these rookies. (Click on image to enlarge)
They were right-on with the AL Rookies card. For the NL Rookies, 4 of the 6 players had impressive rookie seasons. However, there seems to be better choices than Norm Gigon and Jim Shellenback, most notably Gary Nolan, John Donaldson, Vern Fuller, and Bob Schroder. (Gary Nolan finished 1967 as 4th in ERA and 4th in strikeouts.)

Who didn't get a card, but shoulda...

It's curious that these players didn't have a card in 1967:

Lenny Green
Lenny had been in the major leagues since 1957, and was a regular outfielder for the Twins and Red Sox from 1961 to 1965. In 1966, he played in 85 games for the Red Sox, then was released October 1966. The Tigers signed him before the 1967 season, and he played in 58 games for them that year. Still, Topps did not have a card for him in the later series (yet they found room for a Bruce Brubaker card!)

Tony Horton
Tony was a backup 1B-OF for the Red Sox between 1965 and early 1967. In mid-1967, he was traded to the Indians for pitcher Gary Bell. He immediately became the Indians' starting first baseman for several years, yet there was no card for him until 1970 EVER. There also was no card for any other Indians' first baseman in 1968 and 1969.

Jay Ritchie
Jay Ritchie was a reliever for the Atlanta Braves in 1967. After playing in the minors from 1956 to 1964, Ritchie finally reached the majors in 1964 with the Red Sox. He was traded to the Braves prior to the 1966 season, and played for the Braves in 1966 and 1967, before moving on to the Reds for 1968. Although he was in the majors from 1964 to 1968, his only full seasons were 1965 and 1967. He most likely doesn't have a 1967 card because most of his 1966 season was spent at triple-A Richmond. However, in 1967 he appeared in 52 games for the Braves (all in relief), the earliest appearance being April 22nd.

Astros Team
Every team but the Astros had a team card in the 1967 set. The Astros were further maligned by Topps in 1968 and 1969.


Related article: here
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Who’s NOT in the 1967 set

Before posting some cards from the 1967 set, let's see who wasn't in the set (i.e., my scanner is broken today!)


The 1966 Topps baseball set was the last time a regular card was produced for more than two dozen long-time players. Besides the obviously notable Sandy Koufax, others who were left out of the 1967 set (due to retirement or permanent loss of major-league status) include:

Robin Roberts, Bobby Richardson, Roy McMillan, Tracy Stallard,
Bob Friend, Jim Gentile, Frank Malzone, Gene Freese,
Vic Power, Ray Herbert, Bob Skinner, Dick Stuart,
Wes Covington, Lenny Green, Roger Craig, Del Crandall,
Albie Pearson, Jerry Lynch, Johnny Blanchard, Joey Jay,
Harvey Kuenn, Joe Cunningham, Marty Keough, Ernie Broglio,
Don Mossi, Ed Bailey, Dick Bertell, Hector Lopez.


Other players had cards prior to, and after, but not in 1967 (due to little playing time in 1966, I suspect):

John Tsitouris, Bob Tiefenauer, Stan Williams, Al Spangler,
Diego Segui, Ron Brand, Lou Klimchock, Chris Cannizarro,
Nate Oliver, Mel Nelson, Buster Narum, Frank Quilici,
Merritt Ranew, Jerry McNertney, Bobby Klaus, Roland Sheldon,
Jerry Stephenson, Larry Bearnarth, Gary Kolb, Jimmie Schaffer,
Bobby Locke, Hawk Taylor, Jim Roland, Tommie Aaron,
Frank Kostro, Roberto Pena, Darrell Sutherland, Frank Bertaina,
Julio Gotay, Chuck Cottier, Tony LaRussa, John Boozer,
Sandy Valdespino, Roy White, Dave Duncan, Dick Calmus.

Some of these guys bounced back in 1967 (and appeared on 1968 cards). Others had to wait until expansion.