The 1984 Topps #252 Larry Christenson features the veteran right-handed pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies near the conclusion of a Major League career spent entirely with the organization. Personally autographed by Christenson, this flagship Topps issue represents one of his final mainstream cards as an active player and follows Philadelphia's 1983 National League championship season.
The 1984 Topps set features one of the decade's most recognizable designs, combining a large action photograph with a smaller portrait and bold vertical team-name graphics. Christenson's #252 provides a classic mid-1980s Topps representation of a pitcher closely associated with the Phillies' rise into one of the National League's premier clubs.
Philadelphia selected Christenson third overall in the 1972 MLB Draft out of Marysville High School in Washington. His path to the Major Leagues was remarkably quick. He debuted with the Phillies in 1973 at just 19 years old, beginning an association with the organization that would encompass his entire Major League career.
Christenson became a key member of the rotation as Philadelphia emerged as a perennial contender. His finest season came in 1977, when he went 19-6 for a Phillies team that won 101 games. Philadelphia captured three consecutive National League East championships from 1976 through 1978, with Christenson playing an important role in that successful run.
He was also a member of the team that delivered the franchise's long-awaited breakthrough in 1980. The Phillies defeated the Houston Astros in a dramatic NLCS and then the Kansas City Royals in the World Series to capture the first World Series championship in franchise history.
Christenson remained with Philadelphia as the club returned to the World Series in 1983. The veteran Phillies captured another National League pennant after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, giving Christenson connections to both the 1980 World Series champions and 1983 National League champions.
Another memorable aspect of Christenson's career was his ability at the plate. He hit 11 Major League home runs, an impressive total for a pitcher, including three during his outstanding 1977 season.
Injuries eventually brought his playing career to a close, but Christenson never appeared in the Major Leagues for another organization. He finished with 83 victories over an 11-year career, making this late-career 1984 Topps issue an appealing signed card of a lifelong Phillie from one of the greatest eras in franchise history.
Card Details:
- Player: Larry Christenson
- Team: Philadelphia Phillies
- Year: 1984
- Manufacturer: Topps
- Set: Topps
- Card Number: #252
- Classic 1984 Topps flagship issue
- Distinctive large-photo and portrait design
- Late-career Larry Christenson card
- Selected third overall in the 1972 MLB Draft
- Made his Major League debut at age 19 in 1973
- Spent his entire Major League career with Philadelphia
- Posted a career-best 19-6 record in 1977
- Helped Philadelphia win three consecutive NL East titles from 19761978
- Member of the 1980 World Series champion Phillies
- Member of the 1983 National League champion Phillies
- Won 83 Major League games
- Hit 11 career home runs as a pitcher
- Longtime member of Philadelphia's championship-era pitching staff
- Personally autographed
- Condition: NM-MT or better
Authentication: Signature obtained through a private signing conducted by Under the Radar Sports Promotions and guaranteed to pass any third-party authentication service.
An excellent signed late-career issue for collectors of Larry Christenson, Philadelphia Phillies memorabilia, 1980 World Series champions, 1983 National League champions, 1984 Topps baseball cards, or comprehensive autographed Phillies collections.