Random Rookie Recap: 1975 Topps George Brett
Don’t ask. I wish I could tell you what happened to this card, but I can’t — it was like this when I obtained it a few weeks ago for about $5. This is the definition of a filler, a card in such a condition that its sole purpose is a place holder in a collection to be upgraded at some point in the future.
I’ve got some big name rookies in my 
collection, but one that always eluded me for some reason was Brett. Maybe it’s because he’s got a huge following and it’s tough to find a bargain on his rookie. Maybe it’s because I’m too cheap to spend $20-30 on a decent-looking copy; the cards book at $80. Nonetheless, I decided to pounce on this nasty copy; I figured at least I could have one in my collection until I had a change of heart.
I never truly appreciated George Brett as a player or as a cardboard icon until his career was over. I mean I was collecting cards in the early 1990s when collectors were clamoring over this Brett, and the Robin Yount rookie from the same set, but both were way out of my league. At that time, I was too busy focusing on youngster Chipper Jones and my now-defunct football collection: I actually once traded a Browning Nagle 1991 Stadium Club rookie for a Brett Favre from the same set. That was one of the greatest trades I ever made.
I digress, when this card arrived the other day, I flipped it over to read the back. That’s when I learned something new — Brett spent the 1972 season playing minor league baseball for the San Jose (Calif.) team — currently an affiliate of the Giants — which plays less-than 10 miles from my home. Pretty cool factoid.
cardboardicons.com 
February 17, 2009 at 9:37 am
I got lucky and sent away for this card a long time ago. Brett was probably only 5 or 6 years into his career by then. I think I paid maybe 5 dollars for it. This was right before the first baseball card boom started.
February 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Hi Ben,
George Brett was one of my childhood heroes. I think that the fact that he played his entire career in one of the worst media markets is a further testament to his greatness.
Imagine if he would have donned pinstripes for his 21 year career. He peppered the short porch at Yankee Stadium with regularity and the glitz that accompanies any Bronx Bomber would likely elevate a player of Brett’s greatness to legendary status.
Same thing applies if he was lining doubles off of the Green Monster for 81 games a year. It is not unreasonable to think that had this been the case, he could well have bumped up his average another 10 points to join Ted Williams in the hallowed .400 club.
I have to think that if he played in either one of these ballparks and in either one of these lineups more regularly, his HOF worthy numbers would be even more appealing. 4000 hits? Perhaps. Instead, Brett served faithfully as the face of the Kansas City Royals franchise for more than 20 years and continues to contribute to the ballclub today.
Thanks for taking time to recognize Brett’s accomplishments. Creases and frays cannot touch the true value of that card!
May 4, 2009 at 11:22 am
I admired George Brett his whole career. Growing up in a region where Mike Schmidt was the premier 3rd baseman, I still stuck with George. His personality, hard work ethic, and beating the Yankees was uncomparable. I actually bought his rookie card in 1981, and have bought many items since then. I took a bus trip to Cooperstown for his induction ceremony and it was unbelievable. It was such a great day, and a fitting end to a great career.