1964 TOPPS STAND-UP RON HUNT
Today’s card is a 1964 Topps Stand-up, Ron Hunt (#35). This standard-size card was part of an unusual 77-card die-cut issue. At the time, Topps had not issued a die-cut set since their 1951 All-Star set.
These cards stand out due to their vivid yellow and green backgrounds. Four New York Mets are featured in the set: Hunt, along with fellow teammates, George Altman (#3), Jesse Gonder (#28), and Al Jackson (#36). These cards are not terribly difficult to find. Altman, Hunt, and Jackson might cost around $10.00 each in good condition, whereas Gonder (one of 22 short prints in the set might cost upwards of $25.00 to $30.00 in decent condition.
An interesting aspect of this set is that it is in alphabetical order so Hank Aaron is the card number one and Carl Yastrzemski is card number 77. Mickey Mantle is the most expensive card in the set and could run a collector over $300.00 to acquire it.
For his part, Hunt certainly deserved some special cards (and attention). After being purchased by the Mets from the Milwaukee Braves in October of 1962, he played in New York from 1963-1966. In his rookie, 1963 season, Hunt hit .272 with 10 HRs and 42 RBIs; he also finished second in the Rookie-of-the-Year balloting behind Pete Rose. In 1964, he batted .303 and was the team’s first-time-ever starting player in an All-Star Game.
Eventually, in November of 1966, he was dealt to the Dodgers along with Jim Hickman for Tommy Davis and Derrell Griffith.
In four years with the Mets, he appeared in 459 games and amassed 1,887 plate appearances. He hit 20 HRs, knocked in 127 runs, and stole 23 bases.
Overall, he became known for his ability to get hit by a pitch. In 12 major league seasons, he was hit 243 times leading the league seven straight seasons (1968-1974), including an incredible 50 times in 1971.
What makes this a die-cut? When I hear that phrase, I think of cards that don’t have a traditional smooth border.
You fold it in half. Thereby creating the illusion of the player actually standing in front of you.