1977 TCMA 1939-1940 Cincinnati Reds Baseball #5, Ival Goodman

TCMA sets seldom featured innovative design, given the company's limited financial resources. Prior to 1980, most everything they printed used a) black-and-white photos and b) solid color borders. So what's the natural choice for honoring Cincinnati's 1940 championship club? Yep, it's the Reds.

Card front (with ink stamp test?)

"Goodie" Goodman came late to the majors, finally debuting at age 26. Originally scouted by St. Louis, Ival couldn't crack the Gashouse Gang's outfield, so they sold him to the Reds for $25,000 following 1934. He made an immediate impact for Cincy and remained an everyday player through 1940.

Goodman's career stats include 4 straight years with double-digit 2Bs, 3Bs, and HRs. 1938 and 1939 marked his batting peak (148 and 143 OPS+), as Ival whacked over 60 extra-base hits each year.

Card back

TCMA sold this 45-player set directly to collectors. I think they printed just a few hundred sets, given its scarcity compared to their other issues from the same year.

Value: SCD's annual guide prices singles at $2-$3 and I agree.

Fakes / reprints: Doubt anyone would reprint such a obscure set unless it had major stars.