Cards That Never Were #40

1963 Topps - Rookie Stars (Daryl Robertson, Ramon Conde, Cap Peterson, Bill Kern)

I'm not a huge fan of the multiple player rookie card. I believe that every player should have their own card. It rose out of the need to showcase more players than there were allotted card spaces in the set. It's quite an ingenious device that has been abused in the past two decades.

This type of card was most effective from the early sixties until the early eighties. When Topps introduced the multiple player rookie card in the early nineties, there was no need for it. Sets had ballooned to gigantic sizes and were large enough to fit every draft pick and prospect worth a darn (and then some), plus room for several cards of each star player.

Daryl Robertson never had a Topps card. He played for the Chicago Cubs in May 1962, appearing in nine games, six at shortstop, one at third base, and two pinch hitting appearances. In twenty-two plate appearances, he batted .105, with two hits, two RBI, two walks and ten strikeouts. He never made the big leagues again.

Ramon Conde never had a Topps card either. He debuted with the White Sox in July 1962. His final game was in August of 1962, after playing in fourteen games. In 19 plate appearances, he hit .000, but managed three walks and an RBI. He played seven games at third base.

Cap Peterson's rookie card came in 1964, shared with Phil Gagliano. His debut came with the Giants in September 1962, playing shortstop. Cap would enjoy eight seasons in the majors with the Giants, Senators and Indians. He later converted into primarily an outfielder.

Bill Kern never had a Topps card. He played in eight games for the Kansas City Athletics in September 1962. Bill started three of those games in left field. In sixteen plate appearances, he hit .250 and hit a home run. Bill signed with the Athletics during their last year in Philadelphia.