#5 1964 A.L. RBI Leaders - Robinson, Stuart, Mantle & Killebrew

Beginning in 1961, Topps started including league leader cards in its sets and there are 12 league leaders cards kicking off the 1965 Topps set.

Building the Set
December 25, 2020 from Las Vegas, NV - Card #197

This is one of 32 cards (mostly commons) I received from Jenna and our sons on Christmas morning, as I was asked to do some surrogate shopping on their behalf and I gladly obliged.  Hunting specifically for first series cards, this was the biggest card added and the final "star" card needed in order to complete the first series set.  I purchased this card at what I thought was a reasonable price from eBay seller mmartin9, the same seller who sold me the Whitey Ford (#330) card in October.  This was the last of the League Leaders cards needed, and the 12 cards look fantastic all together in 9-pocket binder pages.

The Card
Four of the seven American League sluggers to cross the 100-RBI threshold in 1964 are featured on this card with Rocky Colavito (#380), Joe Pepitone (#245) and Leon Wagner (#367) just missing the cut.  Brooks Robinson's (#150) 118 RBIs marked a career high and the only time he finished with a league-leading total.  The 1964 A.L. MVP would finish in the league's top ten eight different times, never finishing in the top three again after 1964.

Dick Stuart (#280) had led the league with 118 RBIs in 1963, and his 114 RBIs in 1964 marked the third and final time during his career that he'd drive in at least 100 runs.  Stuart was traded to the Phillies after the 1964 season for pitcher Dennis Bennett (#147).  I'll keep track of this as I collect more cards in the set, but I think he's the only person to appear on two cards on two different teams within the 1965 Topps set.  The pricey-ness of this card is caused by Mickey Mantle's (#350) presence.  1964 was to be Mantle's final year with a high RBI tally, and the fourth and final time he had at least 100 RBIs.  Mantle had led the league previously in 1956 with 130 RBIs in one of his three MVP years.

Harmon Killebrew (#400) was just getting started.  He'd finish his career with a staggering nine seasons of driving in at least 100 runs or more, leading the league in 1962, 1969 and 1971.  

Orioles Team Set / Red Sox Team Set / Yankees Team Set / Twins Team Set  

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