Continuing on with my “completed decades” post. This top listing goes completely on the photo itself – who the player is doesn’t really impact it. These are the “action” variety best of the decade. I’m going to just do a top 5 of these. Of course these are just my favorites – so let me know if you’ve got some others you’d include!
Honorable mention – 1980 Gary Carter, 1981 Kent Tekulve, 1985 Topps Darryl Strawberry
5) 1989 Topps #231 – Padres TL (R. Alomar)
There aren’t very many action cards in the 89 Topps set – in fact, the Team Leaders by far have the best action shots. This one features Roberto Alomar sliding around Gary Carter at the plate. It makes my top 5 over some of the cards that had honorable mention from above.
4) 1983 Topps #768 – Chris Speier
I had assumed Gary Carter’s card would win this when I was doing my completed set post for 1983 Topps. But when I flipped through the cards one last time I noticed Speier tagging out a diving/jumping/flying Derrel Thomas in a photo that you just didn’t see in cards from the early 80′s. Or from cards of any time in the 80′s, really. There are a number of really good photos in the 1983 set – but this one was the best! About the only thing that keeps it from being closer to the top of my list is that it looks like a Spring Training game.
3) 1985 Topps #10 – Robin Yount
The photography in the 1984 set isn’t the greatest. Across the board it just doesn’t compare to the 1983 set. But I’ll take this action shot – an in-action photo of a hall of fame player – over anything else Topps put out in the 80′s. Except for two other cards…
2) 1987 Topps #653 – Kevin Mitchell
Mitchell sliding into home with an incredible cool “while the dust settles” moment. The best action shot in a regular card from the decade – but not the best in the whole decade…
1) 1982 Topps #111 – Cartlon Fisk IA
Of course a card from the subset titled “In Action”. It’s definitely the best action shot in the 1982 Topps set, and for my money, Fisk reaching out for a foul pop is the best action shot in the whole decade!
I’m happy to see that Fisk card make the list – It has always been a ’30-YOC’ favorite!
Not just made the list – the top card! He’s got a shot for the 90′s, too (when I get to it) for his 1991 card.