my favorite cards of the year - 1991 edition

i recently introduced my mini collection focusing on my favorite cards from each year that i've been a collector. the basic gist is that i wanted to create a space for the cards that i most appreciated having in my collection in the year that they were released. these were cards that i acquired in the year that they were issued, and that i considered to be my favorites at the time. i have disallowed (most) cards that are already in other mini collections in order to avoid having a mini collection consisting of more steve garvey, double plays, and dodger stadium cards.

in 1991, after buying only a box or two of 1990 cards the previous year, i dramatically increased the amount of cards i purchased, although i was sticking to just topps. the 1991 set design was such an improvement (in my opinion) from 1990, with some great photography and i was all-in. here are my favorite cards from 1991 that i acquired that year.

favorite non-dodger card: topps carlton fisk 

not a big surprise here, as this card is widely held as one of the best from that year. it captures action that hadn't been represented at that level on a topps card for quire some time. it's not a completed play like that on gary carter's 1980 topps card - it's a play in progress with urgency showing in all three players featured. cecil fielder is running as hard as he can. the player i immediately assumed to be dave bergman is emphatically telling fielder to slide, and fisk is focused on the incoming throw.  just a great piece of cardboard.

great cardboard was nothing new for fisk. his 1974, 1977, and 1982 topps cards (the 1982 one i am referring to is his "in action" card) all showcase great action. and most of his other cards show him in catcher gear which is always cool.

favorite dodger card: topps fernando valenzuela

fernando was such a great dodger, beginning with his debut in late 1980 and continuing with fernandomania in 1981 and extending through 1990 when he threw a no-hitter against the cardinals.  in the spring of 1991 however, fernando's dodger tenure came to an end when he was released just before the regular season was to begin.

when i first saw this card in a pack i had purchased, i thought that it might be his final tribute and was happy to have such a great card representing his career. the full body shot showing fernando's trademark eyes to the sky during his windup and the card design work so well together. fernando went on to pitch for the angels in 1991, and although there was no 1991 topps traded card of fernando, he would resurface a couple of years later.  more on that another time.