This a repeat of sorts of 1976 Joe Morgan. In 2014, I posted the original version of the card which came out in 1977. A couple days ago, Kevin Burghardt posted the above photo of the most reprint version of Morgan’s 1976 card on Facebook. This card was published in 2016.
Most baseball fans are familiar with Morgan’s MVP 1976 season well. Many consider his card as one of the best of 1970s decade. Who could go wrong with a slick-fielding second baseman who led the league in OBP and slugging?
| Split | G | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 Totals | 141 | 131 | 599 | 472 | 113 | 151 | 30 | 5 | 27 | 111 | 60 | 9 | 114 | 41 |
Comparing the two cards, there is one glaring difference. Rather than a single column card with power numbers 1-4-5-6, the reprint has the more accurate but slightly less sexy double columns (1-0-0-0). There are five singles in the second column. All five singles are 11s so keep in mind that unless runners are on base, the value is essentially the same.
Other than Morgan’s power, his card is relatively the same albeit slightly rearranged.
Morgan has seven 14s to two 13s. One thing to note is that on the reprint, one of the 13s is on 41!
His hit numbers are practically identical. That includes his 15-11 and 25-10. Curiously, his reprint has four asterisks to go with a 14 as opposed to five.
There are a couple of minor changes too. For some reason, APBA gave Morgan a 63-32 in the original set. He did have a second 31, however at 21. APBA decided to be more conventional in the reprint with a 63-31.
A quick look shows that the original had an extra 28 and an extra 32. The reprint shows two extra 32s.
Of course in both sets, Morgan is fast and has a 2B-9 fielding tops in the league.
Getting back to the double columns
So the big difference is Morgan’s power numbers… going from 1-4-5-6 to 1-0-0-0 (with six 1s in the second column). In reality, it hasn’t hurt Morgan too much. That said, when I look at his 1976 original card, I immediately think “Wow! That’s a Monster Card”. When I look at the reprint, I come to the same conclusion but it takes a few seconds to evaluate the card.
I know I’m not alone in this. Some APBA fans will downplay some cards with double columns especially if they are of players of past sluggers. It just doesn’t seem right to see Mickey Mantle with two columns, they will say.
Fun fact: Morgan does indeed have result numbers 1, 4, 5 and 6 on his reprint card. He has a solitary 4 AND 5 in the second column.
Either way, both cards are excellent representation of an excellent player.
Thanks Kevin!
can someone tell me where to purchase any seasons from 1991-2000 . Is APBA still in biz and does it have any old inventory ?
google APBA stadium shop, they sell every season from 1901 on, and 1883 too. Plus other baseball items
Another well written article Tom. And a fine selection. “Who could go wrong with a slick-fielding second baseman who led the league in OBP and slugging?” And stole 60 bases! That would also lead the league today. Scored a hundred runs, knocked in a hundred runs, walked a hundred times. What’s not to like?
Did they make substantive changes like this on all of the reprint sets?