1970 Topps #350, Roberto Clemente ⭐
1971 Topps #630, Roberto Clemente ⭐
These 2 cards are responsible for fueling my card collecting engine.
Growing up near Pittsburgh, the Pirates were "my" team and Roberto was "my" MAN!
He always came through in the clutch.
Just like it was yesterday, I remember riding my bike with friends to buy packs of Topps baseball cards from my neighborhood convenience store - Helmick's Market.
We'd rip open the packs as soon as we were out the door crowing about our hits and trading freely. Those were great days!
These are the first 2 Roberto Clemente cards that I ripped. I sent them to PSA not to see how they would grade - I knew they were low grade, but I wanted to preserved them for my sons so they would know my collecting story.
Here are my before and after pictures of those cornerstones of my collection.
There is a small pinhole in the 1970 card, where I thumb tacked it to my bedroom door.
Collect What You Love.❤

1970 Topps #140, Reggie Jackson ⭐
Legendary slugger and member of the 500 HR Club.

1970 Topps #94, Freddie Patek 🎂 Happy Birthday, Freddie
Freddie Patek was born on October 9, 1944.
Freddie's nickname is "The Flea".

1970 Topps #327, Hal King RC ⭐ MLB Pioneer.
On September 6, 1967, Hal King - MLB Pioneer - made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros. Although he was normally a left-handed hitting catcher, in his first major league game, he played third base and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.
Before making The Show, he played in the Negro League with the Indianapolis Clowns.

1970 Topps All-Star #451, Boog Powell.

1970 Topps #410, Boog Powell.

AL MVP (1970): He had a career-best season in 1970, earning the American League Most Valuable Player award after hitting 35 home runs and driving in 114 runs.
Powell was a central figure in the Orioles' success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, contributing to their four American League pennants and two World Series titles (1966 and 1970).