1969 Topps: #421 Brooks Robinson AS

Saturday, August 23, 2025

#421 Brooks Robinson AS - Baltimore Orioles

All-Star cards returned to Topps sets in 1968 under The Sporting News banner for a three-year run between 1968 and 1970. Topps included 20 All-Star cards in its 1969 set, featuring 10 All-Stars from each league and one player from each position, including both a right-handed and left-handed pitcher.

Building the Set / Card #544
December 15, 2024 from The Philly Show (Rookie Cards & More)

On Sunday, December 15th, Doug and I attended the latest Philly Show, spaciously spread out inside Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. I wrote a full show report over at The Phillies Room, including some thoughts on attending the show with our oldest son, who first graced the Philly Show floors back in 2012.

Having spent the first half hour or so pulling 98 commons and semi-stars from the neon green binder of Uncle Dick's Cards, and adding the big purchase of the day, the Rollie Fingers (#597) rookie card, I still had some energy and a little more left over in my spending budget. Doug and I kind of walked around aimlessly for a little bit, and a display of vintage Topps cards caught my eye from the dealer Rookie Cards & More.

The prices seemed somewhat low, and I found two cards I needed for our set - this Brooks Robinson All-Star card and the first card showing Ted Williams (#650) as manager of the Senators. Bundling the cards together, I made an offer to the dealer for the pair, and with the offer accepted, we were two cards closer to completing our set.

The Card / Orioles Team Set / Carl Yastrzemski Puzzle

Topps made a good call here, as Robinson was in the midst of going to 18 straight All-Star Games in a row, between 1960 and 1974. (They were still playing two games each year in 1960, 1961 and 1962.) He was not the starter at third base for the American League All-Stars in 1969, however, as that honor went to the Athletics' Sal Bando (#371). Robinson replaced Bando in the field in the top of the seventh, getting one at-bat in the bottom of the inning, and striking out against Jerry Koosman (#90). For the record, Robinson started both games in 1961, each game between 1964 and 1968, and then again each game between 1971 and 1974.

That might be Robinson in the black and white background photo featuring more spectators than action, or it could be someone completely different. The excellent article linked below was not able to identify the stock photo Topps used. The backs of these All-Star cards contain a puzzle piece of either Pete Rose (#120) or Carl Yastrzemski (#130). The back of Robinson's card features the "B" logo from Yaz's hat.

Topps All-Star Card Appearances (7): 1961-62, 1968-70, 1974-75