FINALLY!!!! My 1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Team Set Is Complete!!!

FINALLY!!!!  My 1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Team Set Is Complete!!!

After close to eight months, I am proud to announce that I have finally pieced together the full 1976 Topps team set of the Cincinnati Reds.

It took a bit longer than I expected, and I paid a little more for some cards than what I would have liked, but I am very happy to have completed this tribute to the 1976 team.

The set, consisting of 32 cards, looks great and is a perfect partner for the 1975 team set that I put together last year.

Here is a peek at the complete set:

Enjoy!!!

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #240 – Pete Rose

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #240 – Pete Rose

Pete Rose was the epitome of offense for most of his playing days.  An absolute menace both at the plate and on the bases, Rose drove his opposition crazy.  And coupled with his top-notch skills as a hitter, Rose was the ignition that kept the Cincinnati Reds firing on all cylinders.

Rose played 24 seasons in the big leagues, spending 19 of them in Cincinnati.  The game’s all-time hits leader, Rose amassed over 3,300 hits with the club while also scoring 1700+ runs for the team.  During his days with the Reds, Rose was selected as an All-star 13 times while collecting 2 Gold Glove awards.  He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1963 while winning the Most Valuable Player award ten seasons later in 1973.

Rose made it to the World Series four times with the Reds.  He was part of both championship winning teams in 1975 & 1976.

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #104 – Team Card w/Sparky Anderson

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #104 – Team Card w/Sparky Anderson

Man, I just love these old team cards from the 70s – they make me smile.

And while it is kind of hard to make out some of the players due to the size of them in the card’s photo, there is no mistaking my favorite baseball manager in the lower-right corner.

Hi Sparky.  Rest in peace, my friend!!

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #514 – Dan Driessen

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #514 – Dan Driessen

Dan Driessen’s big league career last for 15 seasons.  Not surprisingly, his most successful run came during his years in Cincinnati.  From 1973-84, Driessen called Riverfront Stadium home as he patrolled the corners of the infield and outfield for the Reds.

A utility player, and solid athlete, Driessen used his skills to get himself on the field.  A great reserve, he offered the team a role player that was able to play 4 of 8 defensive positions.

Offensively, Driessen was serviceable. A lifetime .267 hitter, Driessen’s greatest gift was his speed.  In 15 seasons, he stole 154 bases en route to scoring 746 career runs.

Driessen was a part of the 1975 & 1976 World Series championship winning teams in Cincy.  In 6 games, he went 7-for-16 with a home run.

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #462 – 1975 World Series Champions!

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #462 – 1975 World Series Champions!

Simple and Clear!

This card from the 1976 Topps baseball card set celebrates the Cincinnati Reds 1975 World Series victory over the Boston Red Sox.  One of the most talked about championship match-ups of all-time, the Series featured some of the most dramatic and memorable scenes from the Fall Classic.

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #300 – Johnny Bench

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #300 – Johnny Bench

Often regarded as the greatest catcher of all-time, Johnny Bench displayed all of the traits of being a dominant baseball player and ultimate competitor.

Bench was : A 2-time MVP Award winner, A Rookie of the Year winner, A 10-time Gold Glove winner, A 14-time All-star, and a member of the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” that won back-to-back championships in 1975 & 76.

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #599 – Pat Zachry

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #599 – Pat Zachry

Pat Zachry spent all of his first season and part of his second with the Cincinnati Reds. 

A starting pitcher, Zachry started 40 games for the Reds, compiling a record of 17-14.  His ERA with the club was 3.35 and he threw nine complete games, including two shutouts. 

Zachry won a World Series championship during his rookie season with the Reds.  He made one start in the match-up against the Red Sox and picked up the victory. 

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #469 – Rawly Eastwick

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #469 – Rawly Eastwick

Eastwick’s big league career spanned 8 seasons and 6 teams.  Playing for some of the sport’s greatest franchises during that time, Eastwick found himself as part of one of the most celebrated dynasties in all of baseball history during his first few years in the league – Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine”.

In four seasons with the Reds, Eastwick compiled a 18-10 record alongside a very solid 2.40 ERA.

A relief pitcher, Eastwick was a key part of the Reds’ bullpen success during their push towards their 1975 World Series victory.  He appeared in 5 games during that match-up with the Red Sox, earning 2 victories, while compiling a 2.25 ERA over 8 innings of work.  While on the roster with the Reds when they defended their championship in 1976, Eastwick did not appear in the 1976 Fall Classic.

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #461 – NL & AL Championships

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #461 – NL & AL Championships

This cards celebrates the Cincinnati Reds’ 3-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The series win gave the Reds a chance to compete for the World Series championship.

The card’s picture has captured Johnny Bench, Dave Concepcion, and Tony Perez after another win!!

Great Stuff!!!

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #491 – Terry Crowley

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #491 – Terry Crowley

Terry Crowley’s major league experience lasted through 15 seasons, 2 of which came in Cincinnati as a member of the Reds.  And lucky for him, it came at the right time…

He spent the 1974 and 1975 seasons with the team, and served his role as utility outfielder well.  Appearing in 150 games during that time, Crowley was primarily used in late innings, to give the starters a break when the game was pretty much decided.

He did play for the Reds during the 1975 World Series, and he earned a championship ring.  Appearing in two games, he went 1-for-2 collecting a hit in Game 6 off of Red Sox hurler Luis Tiant.