That's not going to happen, but I can dream.
I have long enjoyed Curt Flood baseball cards and decided it would be a fun exercise to put together a list of my five favorite cards of the long-time Cardinals outfielder.
5. 1960 Topps
I love the contrasts on this card with the black and white photo paired with the color photo, along with the bright yellow letters with the black background. That red background behind the black and white photo really pops. I also love the old-style Cardinals bats-on-the-bat logo, really sweet. Overall, this is one of my favorite early 1960s Cardinals cards based simply on aesthetics. Great looking card.
4. 1967 Topps
I am not sure Clubbers is the right word to describe the combination of Lou Brock and Curt Flood in the Cardinals lineup, but I love this dual card. The two were fixtures in the Cardinals outfield for the latter half of the 1960s helping the team win a World Series in 1967 and a National League pennant in 1968. I love the look of the old, wool 1960s Cardinals uniforms on this card. The off-white jerseys with the shortened sleeves and bright red accents and hats looked great together. The Cardinals also have some of the better socks in the league.
3. 1971 Topps
I love that Topps gave Curt Flood a card in 1971. After the Phillies traded him to the Senators, Flood only played in a handful of games and retired before the first month of the 1971 season ended. It would have been easy to skip over Flood. This was his final baseball card.
2. 1964 Topps
A bit of a sentimental choice for me to rank the 1964 Topps card second on my list. This was one of the first good vintage cards in my collection and my first Curt Flood. Wasn't there a collector who hoarded this card by the thousands? Yes. Anyway, I love the green text on the white background, the photo of Flood standing with his glove, and who could miss that his name is spelled out on the fingers. Classic.
1. 1958 Topps
My scan is pretty terrible, but this is a great card. I love all the bright colors here with the bright green background, yellow logo box...err...triangle, and the red name box on the bottom of the card. Love the blue Cardinals cap and that Curt Flood is smiling on his rookie card.
If things keep going in the direction that they have been, I wouldn't be surprised if he got in at some point (though it doesn't matter to me either way). Wouldn't current players have to know a bit of history about their sport for them to be campaigning for Mr. Flood's enshrinement? That seems like an awfully lofty expectation. Heck, that might actually require them to read a book or two... Heaven forbid! As for his cards, I like his '59 Topps, but that's mostly just because it features background cameo from Stan Musial.
ReplyDeleteThe 1959 Topps is a sweet card, but I could only have 5 cards on my list. Something cool was going to get left off. I think modern players should be all over Curt Flood getting into the Hall of Fame. Sign a big contract, have a press conference, thank your Mom and God, but don't forget Curt Flood.
DeleteWhen Flood's 1960 card is #5... you know you've got a nice collection of his cards. All of these are really cool. Flood was blessed with some really awesome cards during his career.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I wish it were the Friday Ten or Fifteen.
DeleteI love the 1964 Topps. I was lucky to find a copy at show last year for $5.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good deal on that card, congrats on the find!
DeleteI was wondering if the 1964 Curt Flood mania had ended
ReplyDeleteI think it is still on-going.
DeleteHave them all except the '58. Those '58s where they cut the player off at the neck are really painful.
ReplyDeleteI get it, but I still love the colors on the 58 Topps.
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