the 2011, 2012, and 2013 topps cards that should have been for a 1978 topps dodger

with the last of the manager cards featured in topps flagship sets coming in 2010 (even those were just on the backs of the team cards), i am forced to make cards that should have been to represent the member of the 1978 topps dodgers that was still managing a team in 2011 and beyond.  here are the dusty baker cards that should have been from 2011 topps

2012 topps

and 2013 topps

the 2011 reds fell from 1st to 3rd in the nl central with a 79-83 record, but baker's team returned to the top of the division in 2012, going 97-65 in the process.  they faced the eventual world champion giants in the nlds and blew a 2 games to none lead in the five game series.  still, baker returned to manage the team in 2013, and the reds won 90 games.  even though that put them in 3rd place in the central division, it was enough to win the newly created second wild card spot.  in their one game playoff, the reds faced the second place pirates and lost, 6-2.

baker was fired by the team a few days later.  he's said that he would be interested in managing again, but did not get the call for the 2014 season.  maybe he'll be back in 2015 or even sometime after that.  if a team does take a chance on him, i hope topps is making manager cards for their flagship sets.  i would like to see more cards of members of the 1978 topps dodgers.  if not, then this is the end of the evolutionary trail...