Fast Five: Classic photos making sports cards more memorable

This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five cool cards simply because of their classic photos.

ALL THAT CASH THERE
The Card: Babe Ruth 2020 Topps Series 2 #562 SSP variation
Why does this Fast Five topic pop into my head on a slow Tuesday afternoon? Well, the record-setting Anthony Fauci Topps Now card over the weekend had one element of the things that can add to demand and value of a card -- a unique photo. (Fauci's card is perhaps more the moment than the actual photo frame, but here we go.) This Ruth card is one of many photo variants in basic Topps sets in recent years -- that's where you can find a lot of cool and unique images -- but this card is a fascinating one. Why? Think about all of the cash paid for all those signed baseballs today ... it should be a reminder that The Sultan of Swat's auto isn't necessarily rare -- there's just immense demand.
Check out MLB boxes here

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

BO KNOWS
The Card: Bo Jackson 1990 Score #697
If you were around to watch Bo Jackson play in either MLB or the NFL, then you may remember how big of a deal this baseball card was that brought both worlds into one card. It's a pricey one now if it's in high-grade and professionally graded but an easy card to find in general. Still doesn't make it any less cool. Some of you might not know that he had a card with an outtake from this session in the 1989 Score Supplemental NFL set shows him in a batting stance in that purple-bordered release. The football version has been found as a stamped buyback in recent Panini releases (last year's Score release had a 1989 component as have others) and I think he even signed some of those. Jackson actually won't sign the baseball version because of some personal or business choice about the photo.
Check out NFL boxes here

--

SELFIE TIME
The Card: David Ortiz 2014 Topps Stadium Club #182
In recent years, Stadium Club's basic set has been the home of interesting and unique cards showing all kinds of things you simply wouldn't expect to find. Sometimes they are new looks at older players on images not commonly seen on cardboard. This one? It's reflective of a trend in recent years -- a selfie -- along with somebody who is likely more recognizable than Big Papi is on the world and historical stage. There are so many cool and affordable cards in recent Club sets .. they are worth a look.
Check out MLB boxes here

--

VINTAGE ACTION
The Card: Rickey Henderson 1980 Topps #482 Rookie Card
This card is certainly not the norm in the past but everything here is perfect atop a perfect photo, especially if you considered the tight batting stance and the chaos that Henderson brought to the game during his Hall of Fame career. Note how his top hand isn't even fully wrapped around his bat ... I can almost see him tapping it before a swing in my head. The big key here? Perfect condition. This one is a tougher card to even find in a BGS 8.5, let alone higher marks.
Check out MLB boxes here

--

EVEN BETTER ... WHEN NOT ON CARDBOARD 
The Card: Julius Erving 1996-97 Topps Stars #115
This memorable frame by Neil Leifer, a former Sports Illustrated and Time magazine photographer who also took the famous Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston photo, actually looks even better than what this card crops it down to be. It's an amazing pic from 1974 in a set that's focused on the NBA at 50 team and uses top photos on both the fronts and the backs. It's not a cheap box in unopened form and the high-gloss cards can stick so ripping now is risky, but singles are out there. All are worth a look and I'd love to see a release like it done again -- next season is the NBA's 75th campaign ... time for an anniversary team?
Check out NBA boxes here

--

What would you want to see in a future Fast Five? Let Buzz know on Twitter or email.

--

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com