1974 Topps

Every once in a while, a set comes along that is beautiful in its simplicity, and this is one of those sets. I can't explain why I like this set so much, but evidently Topps liked it so much that they even recycled it in 1980. It's clean, colorful, and for the first time, has some interesting photography. 

I especially love the Ralph Houk card. Topps was cognizant enough to airbursh in the most horrific Olde English D ever sported on a ball card, but forgot to airbrush out the obvious Yankee pinstripes from the photo.

Lest we forget, this is the last year that #6 had a regular base card issued, and what a beauty it is. This was the beginning of the end for the '68 Tigers appearing on cards though. Unfortunately, you can see by the parade of rookie cards in this set that the future would not be too bright for the Tigers. 

With that being said, the 1974 Topps Detroit Tigers (all in one series for the first time ever):

9 Mickey Lolich

24 John Hiller

48 Dick Sharon

72 Aurelio Rodriguez

94 Detroit Tigers Team Card

115 Willie Horton

138 Ed Brinkman

162 Bill Freehan

186 Fred Scherman

208 Leading Fireman John Hiller

215 Al Kaline

240 Joe Coleman

256 Jim Northrup

292 Chuck Seelbach

316 Jim Perry

367 Norm Cash

389 Gates Brown

409 Ike Brown

433 Lerrin LaGrow

482 Bob Didier

506 Ed Farmer

530 Mickey Stanley

555 Woodie Fryman

578 Ralph Houk

596 Rookie Pitchers Fred Holdsworth

597 Rookie Shortstops John Gamble

600 Rookie Infielders Ron Cash/Reggie Sanders

604 Rookie Infielders John Knox

Just in case you were too stoned to notice in 1974, Topps made it real clear who was TRADED that year. They didn't bother to number the cards in a way that you might know how many cards made up the set, but when was that every a priority at Topps? You know, being honest and all?

428T Gary Sutherland

458T Jim Ray

612T Luke Walker

1974..........honesty...........what was I thinking???