A Tour Through the 1979 Topps Set: Ten Cards from 501-600

Now I pick up an occasional feature, in which I show about 10% of the 1979 Topps set.  It would be nice to blog the whole set but of course that's a huge undertaking.  So I've gone with 10% as a compromise.  This is my 7th post on the 1979 set, so here are the links to the other segments if you're interested.

Previously in this series:

1. My Ill-Fated 1979 Topps Project, and My Acquisition of a 1979 Topps Set.
2. A Tour Through the 1979 Topps Set: Ten Cards from 1-100.
3. A Tour Through the 1979 Topps Set: Ten Cards from 101-200.
4. A Tour Through the 1979 Topps Set: Ten Cards from 201-300.
5. A Tour Through the 1979 Topps Set: Ten Cards from 301-400.
6. A Tour Through the 1979 Topps Set: Ten Cards from 401-500.

#543, Kiko Garcia.

#517, Al Bumbry.

It turns out that two of the cards in the set that I bought are autographed.  At least, I've noticed it on two of them, and I think that's all there are.  The first of these is Kiko Garcia, and the second one should show up in the next installment of this series.  The autographs on both are in ballpoint pen, unfortunately.  Then we have Al Bumbry, also of the Orioles.  The 1979 Orioles were a great team, just barely edged out by the Buccos in the World Series.

#510, Ted Simmons.

#571, Darrell Porter.

Then we have two solid catchers of the 70s, Ted Simmons and Darrell Porter.  Porter was a 4-time All-Star and MVP of both the 1982 NLCS and the 1982 World Series.  Ted Simmons was an 8-time All-Star.  I think Simmons has a solid Hall of Fame case, and maybe he'll be inducted one day.

#544, Fergie Jenkins.

#575, Luis Tiant.

And here's some great pitching talent and two great cards as well.  Jenkins is showing a great smile, and Tiant is doing some great fan service, signing a ball.

#579, Greg Gross.

#581, Darold Knowles.

Here we have two guys I think of as Phillies.  Greg Gross was a pinch-hitting specialist and part of the 1980 World Series champion Phils.  Darold Knowles was the pitching coach for the Phils for a while when I was going to games with Dad in the late 80s/early 90s.  I also remember Knowles for his 1980 Topps card with the Cardinals; he looked pretty different then.  I remember it specifically because I pulled it from what I guess we call a repack now, which I probably bought at Toys'R'Us.  There were two 1980 cards in there, which were by far the oldest.

#557, Ken Brett.

#547, Clint Hurdle.

I'll close the post out with Ken Brett and Clint Hurdle.  I am suspecting that the Pirates second half of the season this year, under Hurdle, will be the worst second half of a season in MLB history.  Quite a feat, really.  Here's hoping the Pirates clean house soon, and that it results in an improvement.  Ken Brett is one of many who has fallen to baseball's brain cancer epidemic, including other members of the 1980 World Series teams, including Dan Quisenberry, Dick Howser, John Vukovich, and Tug McGraw, and more generally also Gary Carter, Johnny Oates, and Darren Daulton.

Thanks for reading!