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.❤

1971 Topps #255, Bob Robertson ⭐
On October 3, 1971, Bob Robertson Bucs first baseman hit three home runs in a 9-4 playoff win over the San Francisco Giants. With the victory, the Bucs evened the Championship Series at a game apiece going on to win the NLCS and eventually became 1971 World Champions!

1971 Kellogg's #57, Rich Allen.
1971 Topps #650 (Hi #), Rich Allen.
Rich Allen was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 5, 1970, the Cardinals got infielder Ted Sizemore and catcher Bob Stinson in return.
Topps got the memo, Kellogg's didn't.😂

1970 & 1971 Kellogg's Rich Allen.
1971 Topps thrown in for good measure because it's a high number.
It's dinner time on HOF induction day! Let the Big Dog EAT!
Early in his career he was known as Richie or Rich Allen and later preferred to be called Dick Allen. He went into the HOF as Dick Allen.
Call him Dick Allen or Richie Allen, either way the man is now an MLB Hall of Famer!