When people talk about collecting, pitchers vs hitters, the correct answer is almost always a resounding yes for hitters and no for pickers. Kids these days forget about how amazing Hershiser was for a few years. I mean, he pitched 59 score of endings, still an MLB record to this day! Yes, players like Paul Skenes can be hot. But over the long run, pickers tend not to hold much value. Even future Hall of Famers like Clayton Kershaw are far less desirable to most collectors. The way pitchers throw today, almost all of them have at least one Tommy John surgery baked in to the careers. With a focus on velocity, and pitch count, we will likely not see many, if any, 300 game winners. Only a few complete games, no-hitters, and perfect games will be seen. This card was THe card for quite some time and now it can be found in quarter and dollar boxes.

⚾ Career Highlights

• 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988 — an MLB record 

• 1988 accolades:

• NL Cy Young Award

• World Series MVP and NLCS MVP

• Gold Glove

• Led NL in wins (23), shutouts (8), innings pitched (267)  

• Postseason excellence:

• Dominant 1988 postseason (1.05 ERA over 42⅔ innings)

• Also an ALCS MVP in 1995 with the Indians 

People forget what a BEAST he was as a pitcher. Inducted into the HOF in 1972. Check out these stats:

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Career Highlights

• 300 Career Wins:
  Wynn won exactly 300 games, a rare milestone for pitchers. He reached this in his final season, 1963, with the Cleveland Indians.

• Cy Young Award Winner (1959):
  He won the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in baseball while playing for the Chicago White Sox.

• 9× All-Star (1947, 1955–1960, 1962):
  A consistent All-Star, particularly dominant in the 1950s.

• 1954 World Series Appearance:
  Wynn was a key part of the dominant 1954 Cleveland Indians team that won 111 games (though they lost the World Series to the New York Giants).

• Pitched in Four Different Decades:
  One of the few pitchers to appear in games during four different decades (1930s–1960s).

This is one of the most legendary pitching seasons in baseball history:

• ERA: 1.12 — Modern MLB record for lowest ERA in a single season (since 1920).

• Wins: 22

• Complete Games: 28

• Shutouts: 13

• Innings Pitched: 304.2

• Strikeouts: 268

• WHIP: 0.853

• Batting average against: .184

• ERA+ (Adjusted ERA): 258 (incredible; league average is 100)

That season was so dominant that MLB lowered the mound from 15 inches to 10 inches starting in 1969 to give hitters a better chance.

Man, there are a lot of the 50’s and 60’s Topps flagship card designs I love. I love 52 and 56 Topps from the 1950’s and I love 1964 and 1969 (maybe my favorite ever Topps design as it is just so nostalgic). I know people have a soft spot for 53, 57, and 1968, too. For me, Bob Gibson is in the top 5 pitchers of all-time. What year of Topps design is your favorite from the 1950-1960’s?

Discover the captivating story of Mark "The Bird" Fidrych—a 1976 sensation whose infectious joy and unique antics left an indelible mark on baseball and the hobby. Explore why his 1977 Topps All-Star rookie card remains a cherished gem among collectors.

https://ripped.topps.com/office-hours-enduring-appeal-bird-mark-fidrych/