HOF Best First Year/Last Year Rookie Cards Topps
 

I have been curious about which HOF player(s) (Topps cards only) had the best combination of 1st year Topps card and last year Topps card. I thought it would be easy to find several but it was a little more difficult than I thought.

If you count the 52 Topps Mantle as his rookie card you could make a case for Mick. Beyond that I struggled to find a great combo. I would be curious of others thoughts on the best HOF Topps combo. of 1st year combined with last year. One HOF player that I came up with is Juan Marichal.

Rookie card depicting a fresh-faced (non-menacing looking) happy go lucky look to his final Topps card of his intimidating high leg kick that he became known for.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images.../1961-marichalhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images.../1974-marichal

Clemente comes to mind first for me.
To me, his last card is even superior to his rookie card.
Note, while I like his rookie card I'm one of those who prefer his 1956. Choosing between '56 and '73 would be hard for me.

Clemente
 

I am honestly not a fan of his 1973 card. Love the 1955 and 1956 Topps cards.

Agreed. Clemente's 72 is much better than his 73

On the other hand it's hard to imagine a worse combination than the 48B and 65T Berra.

I'd like to nominate Derek Jeters rookie and last topps card.