1989 Topps Big PSA Graded 8

Year: 1989

Manufacturer: Topps

Set: Topps Big Baseball

Card Number: 249

Card Type: Base

Card Attributes: Graded

Grading Company: PSA

Grade NM-MT 8

Continuing on my with my collection of graded cards I got from fellow Yount collector Matt, about a decade ago is this 1989 Topps Big card.  The card graded NM-MT 8 and to my aging eyes the card looks great.  

As a collector that loves oddballs and gimmicks I like the Topps Big set.  But as a practical collector I find the large size a hurdle, much like 1989 Bowman, for storage and display, but this card fits right into the rest of my graded card collection.

1989 Topps Big

Card Manufacturer: Topps

Set: Topps Big

Year: 1989

Card Number: 249

Card Type: Base

Year two of this issue. Topps would produce one more year of Topps Big before realizing what a colossal pain in the butt it was for collectors. The cards didn't fit in 9 pocket pages and penny sleeve were too short to cover the whole card, and these didn't fit in regular storage boxes either.  Topps issued another oddball sized card set this year too, with the return of it's Bowman brand.

Like the year before this set was issued in 3 series of 88 cards each for a total of 264. 

While the design was slightly different the layout was basically the same with a background action shot and a large player portrait overlayed to the right.

1990 Topps Big

Card Manufacturer: Topps

Card Set: Topps Big

Year: 1990

Card Number: 59

Card Type: Base

This was the last year for Topps Big.  Again issued in three 110 card series' for a total set size of 330.  These cards were colorful and cartoony, but a bitch to store and display since the cards measured 2 5⁄8 × 3 3⁄4 inches.  Still a fun, cheap set and easy to find.  These also come pretty standard in repacks.

1988 Topps Big

Card Manufactuer: Topps

Card Set: Topps Big

Year: 1988

Card Number: 66

Card Type: Base

The late 80's saw Topps putting out a few oddball sized sets. Some were mini's and others like Topps Big were slightly larger than your standard size baseball card. These cards measure 2 5/8 x 3 3/4 inches, and eighth wider and quarter inch taller. This made these cards a huge pain in the ass to display and store.

The set was issued in three series of 88 cards each for a total set size of 264 cards

 A funny story about Robin's brother Larry who's featured in the middle cartoon panel on the back. Larry was with the Astros and was announced as the reliever in a game in 1971. During warm up he experienced tightness in his elbow and never actually threw a pitch. And I do believe Larry Yount is the only Major League pitcher to never throw a pitch in an MLB game, and he never did make it back to the majors. So really while Larry did pitch in the minors with the Astros farm system he never really pitched for the team.