The year that changed everything?

1977 was a momentous year in pop culture. Star Wars premieres. Apple is incorprated. Elvis dies. And I buy my first pack of baseball cards. When I look at the bright colored lettering and 70’s-tastic players on these Topps, I get instantly filled with childhood nostalgia. A simpler, funkier time when the world was changing, one hustle dance step at a time.

“The Mad Hungarian” looked pretty intimidating until you turned his card over and read his off- season home was in Anaheim.

Rick: C’mon Rick, grow a mustache like us. It’ll be hilarious!

Rick: No Rick, that’s your guys thing.

Rick: Just do it. Don’t be a dick, Rick.

Speaking of dicks, it was just a matter of time until Card Bored Dad got to the greatest name in the history of baseball! I really need to know if Pole had a sense of humor about it. Do you think he was in on the joke and used it to his advantage to hit on girls? Or do you think he flew into rage every time a teammate insisted on referring to him by his whole name? He could have gone by Richard or Rich, so I’d like to think he was cool with it. Even though he only had a career 25–37 record, that’s 25 MLB wins more than most people. So perhaps the joke’s on us.

No one dared to ask Boomer if those were sea shells or teeth on his necklace.

Did you know Maddox’s beard wasn’t just for style? Apparenlty while serving with the Army in Vietnam he was exposed to a chemical that made his skin too sensitive for shaving. A veteran with 8 time gold glove skills? If “The Secretary of Defense” played today, he would be one of the game’s biggest stars.

Zeppelin rules!

Jones broke baseball’s color barrier when he became the first Caucasion American to sport an Afro.

Howell really tested the theory that any pro athlete could get laid in the ‘70’s.

Baseball names, man. Baseball. Names.