Saturday, March 18, 2017

Cards That Never Were: Bobby Orr 1978 and 1979

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players who were missed in various sets over the years.  It is a concept I have borrowed from too many others to list, but I thank them all.
Bobby Orr came up with the Boston Bruins in the 1966-67 season.  He played with the Bruins through the 1975-76 season, although he saw limited action in that last year due to injuries.  Orr's place in the Hall of Fame was already cinched by this time.
With knee injuries plaguing him and contract negotiations stalling with the Bruins, Orr signed with the Chicago Blackhawks for the '76-'77 season.  He played 20 games in his first season in Chicago, but missed the entire next season.  In '78-'79, he came back, but only managed six games before he was forced to retire.
Orr received cards in every set from 1967-68 through '75-'77.  Somewhat oddly, his '76-77 card shows Orr with the Blackhawks, thanks to some airbrushing.  He received his last card, despite only playing 20 games in '76-'77, because of his star status.
He did not appear on another regular issue card during his career, which is somewhat understandable based on seasons of zero and six games.
Since my CTNW creations favor Chicago cards, I had to fill the Orr void in the '77-'78 and '78-'79 sets.  Fortunately, I found several pictures of Orr in the Hawks jersey.  I would have liked one in the white jersey, but I'm happy enough with these.
I vividly remember the hope every season.  It's a shame we could not have had more play from Orr.  At least we now have more cards of him.

1 comment:

Hackenbush said...

I'm a Chicagoan but it still seems strange to see Orr wearing the Indian. I guess it's better than seeing Unitas in a Chargers uniform. Good choices on the photos. They seem to fit the designs.