Card fact: The famed 1962 Topps "wood-panel set" is featured on this card. The '62 Maury Wills "card" actually does not exist. Wills was not signed by Topps, so no card of him appeared on a Topps set until the late 1960s. Topps had to create this card of Wills, much as it did for Campanella with the 1951 and 1955 MVP cards.
Topps used the Wills "card" again in the 1987 set during its "Turn Back the Clock" subset, and the Kmart set of 1982 also used the Wills card, because it consisted of past MVPs, much like this subset.
So, for years, I went around thinking that the 1962 Willis card existed. It took a long time, probably into the early 1990s, for me to realize it didn't. I was almost crest-fallen.
What I thought about this card then: I know this was one of the cards I pulled out of the first packs that I ever bought. But I don't have that particular card scanned. Not sure why. It might be in my Dodger binder, which I can't get to right now.
What I think about this card now: It's a nice-looking card. The '62 set really does look nice. I went from being a fan to not being a fan to enjoying it again. I think the '87 set might've had something to do with me souring on it for awhile.
Other stuff: Mantle's award was the third of four straight Yankee MVP awards between 1960-63. Also, this Mantle card is featured in the 2010 "Cards Your Mom Threw Out" insert set.
Back facts: I actually learned of Wills' single-season stolen base record from the 1977 Topps Turn Back the Clock subset. Cards were my first history teacher.
Other blog stuff: After completing another 100 cards, it's time again to take inventory of the set so far. Here we go:
1. COLOR COMBINATIONS
After 100 cards, the orange-brown combo led with 11 cards. Thanks to the MVP subset and a surge in green-light green cards, things are a little more up-for-grabs now:
Green-light green: 17
Green-purple: 17
Orange-brown: 17
Pink-yellow: 15
Purple-pink: 14
Yellow-red: 13
Red-yellow: 11
Orange-yellow: 10
Brown-orange: 9
Green-yellow: 9
Yellow-light blue: 9
Brown-tan: 8
Light blue-green: 8
Red-blue: 8
Tan-light blue: 8
Yellow-green: 8
Blue-orange: 7
Red-orange: 7
2. POWDER-BLUE UNIFORMS
Up to 24 now.
3. LOOKING UP
Four more players looking to the sky. That brings the total to 9.
4. DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY
Six total players that we thought looked like women.
5. DECEASED
There are 17 people in the set so far who have died. That doesn't include the MVP subset or managers.
6. CHAW
Still, only Joe Coleman featuring the chaw. I'm hoping this changes in the next 100.
7. MLB SONS
Eight players in the set thus far have had children also play in the majors.
8. ROOKIE CUP/ALL-STARS
Four/Six
9. MOST POPULAR FIRST NAME
Dave/David still leads with 13 players
10. MINIS
Out of the 200 cards so far, I have 24 of them in mini form, for 12 percent of the cards. That'll pick up later.
OK, onward. Next up, one of my most favorite players of all-time.
