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Twenty-one of my favorite Roberto Clemente cards. The great Number 21 was born on this date in 1934. More in the thread... @ClementeCards21 @ClementeMuseum @SABRbbcards @CardboardHistry @PostWarCards @CardsCigarbox @johnpheinen
The 1955 @Topps #164 rookie card lists his career minor league stats and unremarkable .257 batting average, but hints at greater things to come in the bio by noting his .365 average in the Puerto Rican winter league.
1956 @Topps features great Ebbets Field action shot. After this card, Topps replaced “Roberto” with Anglicized “Bob” until 1970.
Just a great photo on this 1957 card.
Love the Post cereal cards of 1961-63, especially this Canadian version featuring French and English.
One of the tougher @Topps Clemente cards because it’s in the 1963 high-number series. Following through on a throw in the pre-expanded Candlestick Park.
Glad the truncated 1963 Fleer set included Clemente. No card of Aaron and some other notables.
From the 1964 @Topps giant set
A good thing some Boomer didn’t perforate this 1964 @Topps stand-up.
1964 Wheaties stamp features photo used on his 1961 @Topps card. Not in the best shape but upgrading is unlikely as these have become pricey.
Hard to choose among Clemente’s base cards but this portrait, simple yet expressive, has always been a favorite.
Issued as part of a 1966 @Pirates team set by a defunct shopping plaza in Monroeville, Pa.
Cardboard Rushmore: This 1966 issue is the only @Topps card to feature Clemente, Aaron and Mays together.
As an elementary schooler in the 1970s, the 1967 @Topps Clemente was my first “old” card of The Great One.
Clemente only appeared on three special multiplayer cards (1959 “Corsair Outfield Trio” & 1963 “Buc Blasters” were the others). This is by far the coolest.
From the 1968 Atlantic Oil set of NL and AL stars.
This image of Clemente is seared into my consciousness; the photo in this 1969 Nabisco Team Flakes card was also used on a Sports Illustrated poster that hung on my bedroom wall from 2nd grade until I moved out of the house.
Card from the obscure 1970 Transogram set was cut out from a box of plastic toy statues. It features same pic as the Atlantic Oil card, but Transogram splurged on licensing fees and didn’t have airbrush the “P” from his cap.
From the World Championship 1971 season. Shot in a brand-spanking-new Three Rivers Stadium.
The 1971 Kelloggs 3D cards were the first ones I ever collected. I remember getting Chuck Dobson, Dick Selma and others out of the cereal box; didn’t acquire Clemente until years later.
Still recall the excitement of opening a 1972 wax pack in Bethesda, Md., and pulling this card. Thought at first the baseball he’s tossing was some kind of patch on the jersey.
A 1972 Clemente Fan Club card “Sponsored by DAILY JUICE CO., Oakmont, Pa.” The Harmony Dairy versions of these are more scarce.
