1979 Topps Baseball Cards - Profile of Graded Key Cards Hall of Famers HOF

1979 - The last year of the 70’s provide no shortage of big events.
On February 1, the Ayatollah Khomeini (This guy just looked mean) returns to Tehran, Iran after nearly 15 years of exile. 11 days later Khomeini seizes power in Iran, overthrowing the US backed Shah. On November 4, 3,000 Iranian radicals invade the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and take 90 hostages (53 Americans). They demand the United States send the Shah of Iran back to stand trial. We have had problems with Iran ever since.
History is made in England as Lady Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female elected prime minister on May 4.
Probably the most famous actor ever, John Wayne dies on June 11th at the age of 72.
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan which begins nearly a decade long war only to see the Russians withdraw in defeat.
On Three Mile Island, PA a Nuclear Accident occurs after a reactor catches fire. The accident happened 12 days after the release of the movie The China Syndrome which is about a major nuclear plant crisis. Pretty weird coincidence.
American Airlines Flight 191: In Chicago, a DC-10 crashes during takeoff at O'Hare International Airport, killing all 271 on board and 2 people on the ground in the deadliest aviation accident in U. S. history.
China institutes the one child per family rule to help control its exploding population. It is believed that this policy has prevented about 400 million births.
On July 1, Sony introduces the Walkman costing $200.00 ($630.91 today) Wow!
Also new in 1979 were McDonald’s Happy Meal, ESPN, Sunkist Soft Drink, Susan B Anthony Dollar, Tostitos, Hubba Bubba, Honey Nut Cheerios and Thinsulate.
The top grossing movie of 1979 was the Academy Award Winning Kramer vs. Kramer with Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. Other big hits were The Amityville Horror, Apocalypse Now. Rocky 2, The Muppet Movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Black Stallion, the Jerk, Meatballs, Moonraker, The Black Hole (One of my favorites as a kid. I used to have the toys.) and Alien.
In television, CSPAN is launched. Debuting in 1979 were Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo, Benson, Nightline, Archie Bunker’s Place, Knots Landing, The Dukes of Hazzard, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo and the groundbreaking PBS show Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel (just checking to see if you are still reading this).
Pink Floyd release the multi award winning concept album "The Wall" with the top selling single "Another Brick in the Wall.
Popular Songs of 1979 include Heart of Glass by Blondie, Hot Stuff by Donna Summer, Born to Be Alive by Patrick Hernandez, Don’t Stop Until You Get Enough by Michael Jackson, Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes and Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles.
In the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys watch their hopes of winning a 3rd Super Bowl slip through the hands of tight end Jackie Smith as the Steelers win their 3rd Super Bowl 35 to 21. The 1979 MVP was Earl Campbell who rushed for 1697 yards and 19 touchdowns. These were huge numbers at the time. The Defensive Player of the Year was the late great Lee Roy Selmon, Defensive End for Tampa Bay.
In the NBA, the Lakers draft Magic Johnson which sets up the great rivalry of the 80s between the Celtics led by Larry Bird and Magic’s Lakers. Also in 1979, Magic’s Michigan State Spartan’s knocked off Larry Bird’s Indiana State Sycamores team 75 to 64.
In hockey, The Great One, Wayne Gretzky makes his NHL debut finishing the year with 51 goals and 137 total points. The effort was good enough to win him his first of 8 straight Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP.
In baseball, The Pittsburgh Pirates rode their “We are Family” theme and the bats of NL Co-MVP Willie “Pops” Stargell and Dave Parker to the World Series. The Pirates overcame a 3 to 1 deficit to beat the Baltimore Orioles in 7. The last two wins were in Baltimore. Stargell hit .400 in the fall classic, racking up 3 home runs and 7 RBI.
Tragedy strikes the Yankees as catcher Thurman Munson is killed in a plane crash on August 2. He was just 32 years old.
Carl Yastrzemski becomes the only American League player to amass 3000 hits and 400 home runs.
40 year old Braves knuckle baller Phil Niekro has a bitter sweet season winning 21 games and dropping 20.
Big years were had by the Angels Fred Lynn fishing first in batting with a .333 average and also smacked 39 home runs and drove in 122. The Cardinals Gary Templeton becomes the first switch hitter to get 100 hits from each side of the plate. NL Co-MVP Keith Hernandez wins the NL Batting Title with a .344 average. Milwaukee’s Gorman Thomas hits 45 home runs and 123 RBI. AL MVP Don Baylor hits .296 with 39 home runs, 139 RBI and 120 runs scored. Baltimore’s Mike Flanagan wins the AL Cy Young with a 23-9 record. The NL Cy Young went to reliever Bruce Sutter as he tops the majors with 37 saves. The Padres Dave Winfield leads the NL with 118 RBI.
Willie Mays is inducted into the Hall of Fame.