1981 Topps Ron Cey

 

The front: Looks like Cey is batting at Shea Stadium. Looks like he is wearing the 1980 All Star Game patch. In two day games at Shea in 1980, both in late August, Cey was 2 for 8 with a double. So unless I am wrong about the patch it looks like Topps was still getting photos from pretty late in the season.

The back: Cey's 228 HR as an LA Dodger has since been surpassed by Eric Karros (270).

The player: One of the premier NL third basemen of the late 1970s, Ron Cey was an All Star for six straight seasons, 1974-1979. After the 1982 season the Dodgers traded him to the Cubs for Vance Lovelace, and two seasons later Cey helped them win a pennant. Overall, in 2,073 games for the Dodgers, Cubs and A's, Cey hit .261 with 316 HR and 1,139 RBI. Cey kept up his slugging ways in the postseason, with 7 HR in 45 playoff and World Series games.

The man: If baseball card bloggers are anything to go by, Cey was hugely popular among Dodger fans in the 1970s. The blogger who now does Cards as I See Them used to have the blog titled Garvey Cey Russell Lopes. He is also the all-time favorite player of blogging legend Night Owl, who has posted some interesting Cey memorabilia over the years. Today Cey is Vice President, Business Development & Relationship Manager for Professional Baseball at BFF Financial in Glendale, CA. 

My collection: I have 36 of his cards, from 1974 to 1987. I would be interested in trading for 1972 Topps #761 and 1973 Topps #615.