2017 "Rediscover Topps" 1984 Topps #232

Card Review: 9.5  I gave 1984 Topps a "9.7" grade.  I'm knocking this one down two tenths of a point due to the superfluous gold stamping running down the side.  The card looks better without it, but 1984 Topps is such a classic, that it takes more than a little stupid stamping to ruin one.

This card was recently sent by a reader (his package post is coming soon). I haven't really made an effort to purchase these when they pop up, as I don't really feel a burning need to pay a dollar plus for an 1988 Topps Wallach, when they can be had for mere pennies elsewhere, especially these that have been degraded with extra stamping.  In my outdated vintage universe, this stamping is frowned upon, and lacks the novelty of adding the character that some kid's hand writing on the front of a '52 noting a trade to the Browns brings with it.

That said, I need one of each because I'm a prisoner to my own o.c.d. impulses.  I don't need one of each color, but I'd like one of each year.  This is the first '84 I've seen.  I'm now short '82, '83, and both '86 (base and All-Star), assuming those even exists.

Number of this card in my collection: 1

2020 update: 2
Breakdown by color
Gold: 1

Bronze: 1

1984 Topps #232

Card Review: 9.7  This is the "original" '84 design.  There are 5 variations of the 1984 Topps design I know of, the others being the O-Pee-Chee, Nestle, Tiffany, and the encased photo box.  That may not seem like much to younger collector's today, but in 1984, it was absurd (I would argue it's still absurd).

  I like the '84 design.  For the 2nd year in a row (and not done since), Topps went with the small head shot on the front of the card.  I have no problem with the large team name going down the side and I love the blue and red backs.  For awhile this was arguably the most sought after Topps set of the 80's, with the much coveted Don Mattingly and Darryl Strawberry rookie cards.

I would have preferred a different color than green in the corner photo box, but that's nitpicking really.  It's a solid image, even if Topps more or less recycled it on Wallach cards the next two years as well.

Fun Facts: *Wallach made his 1st All-Star team in 1984.
*Wallach was 2nd in the NL with 7 hit-by-pitch walks in 1984.
*Wallach led NL third basemen in assists and put-outs in 1984.
Number of this card in my collection: 46
2012 update: 106
2013 update: 154
2014 update: 186
2015 update: 201 
2016 update: 296
2017 update: 304
2018 update: 316
2019 update: 391
2020 update: 430

2021 update: 443

2022 update: 1,255

2023 update: 1,269

2024 update: 1,286
2025 update: 1,287

2026 update: 1,306