1973 Topps World Series Game 5 Odom Out At Plate #226
Johnny Bench, Blue Moon Odom · Topps · Base / World Series Highlights
Player
Johnny Bench, Blue Moon Odom
Set
1973 Topps Base Set
Year
1973
Card #
#226
Condition Grade
PSA 1 (Poor) to PSA 1.5 (Fair). The card displays heavy corner wear, rounded corners, visible edge chipping, and a significant vertical crease/surface crack on the left side. Centering is shifted towards the top-right.
Category
Base / World Series Highlights
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low/Niche. Primarily sought after by Johnny Bench player collectors or those attempting to complete a raw 1973 Topps set in mid-to-low grade condition.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.50 - $2.00
Graded Value
PSA 1: $5-10, PSA 2: $12-18, PSA 3: $25-30. Note: Grading costs significantly exceed the market value of this specific card in this condition.
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies of this card in similar low-to-mid grade condition consistently range from $0.99 to $2.50. High-grade (PSA 8+) copies can reach $40-60, but this specimen does not qualify.
Description
This 1973 Topps card commemorates Game 5 of the 1972 World Series, titled 'ODOM OUT AT PLATE.' The action shot features Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench tag out Oakland A's pitcher Blue Moon Odom. The card has a horizontal orientation with a classic rounded frame design and a yellow World Series baseball logo in the bottom right corner.
Key Features
Features Hall of Famer Johnny Bench; highlights the 1972 World Series between the Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds; vintage 1970s Topps design.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The cardboard stock aging, dot-matrix print pattern under magnification, and specific ink saturation levels for the 1973 Topps year are consistent with an original. This is not a commonly faked card due to its relatively low market value.
Flaws to Note
Major vertical crease running through the left side of the image; heavily rounded and soft corners; significant edge wear; surface dirt/staining typical of 'well-loved' vintage card stock; poor centering.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best suited for a local card shop's $1 bin, a bulk lot on eBay with other 1973 Topps cards, or a 'Common/Star' vintage box at a card show. Shipping as a single item is not cost-effective.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the fee would be 10-20 times the card's worth. If selling online, use an 'eBay Standard Envelope' to keep shipping costs low ($0.60 - $1.00). Best listed as part of a lot of 1970s Reds or A's cards.