Topps 1969 Update Set, Cubs

In this post I talked about creating cards for the 40th anniversary of the Cubs 1969 flop. The choices were to make 2009 styled cards or update the original 1969 cards with action shots like today's cards. Thank you to all who left comments. The consensus was to do both. And so I will.

Today, I've got the 1969 cards ready. There are 12 of them, featuring the main players of the team. I've got seven of the eight regulars (no centerfielder -since the Cubs had no decent centerfielder that season; Adolfo Phillips, Don Young, Jim Qualls), two starting pitchers, the closer, the utility infielder, and the manager. I was able to find action shots of most of the players. And most of the pictures are from the 1969 season. It is fairly easy to identify pictures from that year because teams wore the Baseball Centennial patch that season only.

Without further ado, I present the updated 1969 Topps Chicago Cubs:

First baseman, Mr. Cub Ernie Banks, taking a swing at Wrigley. Check his right sleeve for the centennial patch.



Second baseman Glenn Beckert



Shortstop Don Kessinger



Third Baseman Ron Santo



Left Fielder Billy Williams



Right Fielder Jim Hickman



Catcher Randy Hundley



Pitcher Fergie Jenkins



Pitcher Ken Holtzman



Relief Pitcher Phil Regan



Utility man Paul Popovich. This card is my tribute to the airbrushing of the era. The best picture I could find of Popovich was with him in a Dodger uniform, although the shot is at Wrigley Field. So I airbrushed the "LA" off of his hat, just like Topps would have.



And the last card in the set, Manager Leo Durocher.



Three Hall of Fame players (plus Santo, borderline), a Hall of Fame manager, and a lousy second place finish. Damn Mets!