Why Is There No 1974 Topps Willie Mays Base Card?? And Other 74 Topps Observations

**Savard18** · 03-03-2025, 07:53 AM

If you collect vintage baseball cards or enjoy collecting vintage in general then this thread/subject - despite how "trivial" or subjective it may be may interest you. Also this topic is actually a good bit of vintage trivia for even the most knowledgeable of vintage collectors, dealers, experts etc. Because If you ask any vintage collector (what seems like an easy question) - to name the set features Willie Mays final card as an active player, many will obviously answer 1973 Topps #305, but they'd be wrong - it's 1974 Topps #473

Why??? because as a vintage junkie this is something I've been curious about, and has bugged me for many-many years now, but has anyone else noticed that Willie Mays has a 1974 Topps World Series subset card #473, but NO "true base" player card?

Anyone know why? over the years I've looked into why on occasion but there isn't much info, just mostly speculation - even then it's not a topic that's often discussed.. But given Topps reputation you would figure a 1974 Topps Willie Mays standard base card would have been a MUST for the 1974 Topps set, especially since Topps would (and still does) create numerous subsets within the base set (All-Stars,Leaders, Playoffs etc) attempting to capitalize on the superstars of the day by creating and issuing as many different cards and/or subsets possible for the elite of the game.. So when you consider that fact you would think since Willie Mays has a World Series card in the 1974 Topps set he would have also received a proper base card in the set as well, which obviously would have been his final card as an active player - a card we never got.

I suppose as a vintage collector that's been involved in the hobby for 40-years, I feel disappointed that Mays never got that final proper "true base card" in the 1974 Topps set and it's bugged me for years.. To me It's like spending hours putting a puzzle together and by the time you're done, you're missing a piece, lol..

And I'm not trying to be pedantic, but It's just troubling that Willie Mays last official card as an active player is 1974 Topps #473 "73 World Series Game #2: New York 10 - Oakland 7" , I mean I suppose someone could try to make the argument that Mays' 1973 Topps card is his last "official" card as an active player, and the Mays 1974 World Series card "doesn't count" as an "official" Mays card because it's a World Series card, hence part of a subset - however I would dispute that considering Mays is obviously the main subject of the card given he's the only one pictured, so that card was made for him, it's not random.. It's not like Mays happened to be one of several players depicted in a World Series action photo and Mays just happens to be one of the players included making a play like numerous other random/generic World Series or In Action cards... Also,there is evidence that Mays was supposed to have a "true base card" but was dropped from the set for some reason considering Mays facsimile autograph is featured on the Mets Team checklist insert, and I'm certain he's also pictured/featured in the Mets Team Card/photo, but Topps left his "true base" out of the set? smh

I just find this interesting because it's Willie Mays, one of the greatest baseball players ever, yet this is Mays last card as an active player??:

Also, since this thread is primarily about 1974 Topps - I figure I would address some other issues with the set I think they could have done a better job on. Of course these are subjective ideas but one of the cards Topps could have done a better job on is the Hank Aaron card #1. I really wished Hank was issued a "true base card" using the regular 1974 Topps design, instead of that "715 Home Run King" card, because in my opinion that's a very unusual odd card that doesn't fit the theme of the set, or doesn't have the appearance that it belongs in the set - nor does it have the aesthetics that it is Aaron's "true base card" (which it is) and I think to some extent it's treated differently from other Hank Aaron base cards and is a lot less desirable among Aaron's..

And I really wish Topps did a Roberto Clemente Tribute - either as a 4-5 card subset (like the Aaron Specials) or just a Roberto Clemente Tribute card would have been nice.. I mean it's not like "Tribute" cards for recently decease or even injured players didn't exist in 1974 - because they did, yet they didn't issue a Tribute Card for Clemente - one of the ATG's both then and now?.. Obviously there have been many-many Clemente Tribute cards released since 1974, but I think it's something Topps should have done in 1974.. They should have issued a Jackie Robinson Tribute card as well in the 1972 Topps set, ideally a High # SP.

Obviously Topps has since addressed these trivial issues I have with the 1974 Topps set with both Topps Archives and Topps Heritage - there are several Hank Aaron's with the standard 1974 Topps design, as well as Clemente's, along with tributes - but obviously they're not part of the 1974 Topps set.... Still terrific looking cards tho, as are almost all Archives/Heritage retro cards using old designs of active players at the time with different photo's..

And if it seems this thread about 1974 Mays, Aaron and Clemente is totally random, it's not.. I'm currently building a 1974 Topps set and these are just a couple of thoughts and observations that have come to mind as I've worked on the set.

Also, if you've read this thread up to this point - thank you, I appreciate it - but also, I'm still working on my 1974 Topps set (as well as 1971, 72 & 73 Topps sets) and there are still plenty of cards I need to get them completed, mostly commons - but I do need some HOF'ers, so if you have anything for trade from those sets and/or vintage stars or commons in general PM me for my "want/need list" (or look in the vintage forum) and I'm willing to be very generous in trade to get deals done that will help me finish my sets/goals. I have plenty of vintage to ultra-modern for trade, and I'm confident I can make it worth your time if you have any of my needs/wants or just vintage in general I could use down the road. My goal is to complete every vintage baseball set from 1960-1980.

If anyone has made it this far and has any input on my thoughts or knows why Willie Mays doesn't have a 1974 Topps True Base Card, please share because all things vintage interests me.