the 1978 topps dodgers in 2008 through 2010 - once again, there is only one

try as i might, i couldn't think of any reason that a member of the 1978 topps dodgers should have been included in the 2007 topps flagship set.  there were no 'turn back the clock' cards that year, and dusty baker wasn't managing, so there are no cards that should have been to showcase.  however, dusty was hired by the reds following the 2007 season to be their manager, so he returned to the flagship in 2008 and beyond.

2008 topps dusty baker

baker took over for interim manager pete mackanin, and led the reds to a 74-88 finish in 2008.  that was a 2 game improvement over 2007, but the team remained in fifth place in the nl central.

2009 topps dusty baker

the reds climbed to fourth place in the nl central in 2009 with a 78-84 record.  the club was one game over .500 and two games out of first place on july 4, but the bottom dropped out of their season soon after.

2010 topps cincinnati reds team card

with dusty baker on the back

i guess this qualifies as the manager's card from 2010 topps, although topps used to put the manager on the front of the team card.  anyway, walt jocketty's faith in dusty was rewarded in 2010 as the reds were 91-71 and claimed the central division title.  they finished five games ahead of the cardinals, but were swept by the phillies in the nlds.

sadly, this is where the trail ends for members of the 1978 topps dodgers.  i'll have some cards that should have been of dusty chronicling his final few seasons as the reds' manager, but we may well have seen the last of the 1978 topps dodgers in the topps flaghsip sets.  if so, here's the final tally of appearances:

baker 27 (1971-1987, 1993, 2001-2006, 2008-2010)
burke 2 (1978-1979)
cey 16 (1972-1987)
davalillo 14 (1963-1974, 1978-1979)
forster 16 (1972-1987)
garman 8 (1971-1973, 1975-1979)
garvey 18 (1971-1987, 2002)
goodson 6 (1973-1978)
grote 15 (1964-1976, 1978-1979)
hooton 15 (1972-1986)
hough 23 (1972-1994)
john 26 (1964-1989)
lacy 16 (1973-1988)
lasorda 19 (1954, 1973-1974, 1977-1981, 1983-1993)
lopes 18 (1973-1988, 2001-2002)
martinez 9 (1971-1976, 1978-1980)
monday 18 (1967-1984)
mota 18 (1963-1980)
oates 14 (1972-1981, 1991-1993, 2001)
rau 9 (1973-1981)
rautzhan 2 (1978-1979)
rhoden 16 (1975-1990)
russell 18 (1970-1987)
smith 17 (1967-1983)
sosa 10 (1974-1984)
sutton 23 (1966-1988)
yeager 15 (1973-1987)

there were more dusty baker cards than tommy john cards, thanks to his managerial years.

teams represented: 25 (dodgers, indians, colt .45's, pirates, white sox, astros, mets, a's, red sox, angels, expos, cardinals, braves, cubs, orioles, giants, phillies, yankees, rangers, tigers, padres, brewers, mariners, marlins, reds)

the blue jays, devil rays/rays (although bill russell did coach for tampa bay after he was fired by the dodgers), royals, twins, rockies, and diamondbacks are the only six franchises not represented, although the nationals could be added to the list since i counted the colt .45's and astros separately.  davey lopes was a coach for the nats, but obviously didn't get a card during that time.  so, until dusty gets another managerial gig and topps starts making managerial cards again, it's been fun documenting the evolution of the 1978 topps dodgers!