On Display: 1971 Topps Roberto Clemente PSA 9 MINT
Issued: 1971 by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc.
Card Number: #630
Population: 1 PSA 10 | 16 PSA 9s Known
Historical Note: Final full season before Clemente’s tragic passing in 1972
“When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth.” – Roberto Clemente
This extraordinary 1971 Topps Roberto Clemente card stands as both a masterwork of sports card preservation and a poignant reminder of one of baseball’s most beloved legends. Graded PSA 9 MINT, this card is one of only 16 ever to receive this elite designation, with a single known example graded higher—PSA 10 GEM MINT.
The 1971 Topps set is notorious among collectors for its fragile black borders, which reveal even the slightest imperfections. This card, however, remains astonishingly well-preserved—featuring vibrant color, crisp image clarity, and near-pristine edging. A single, microscopic chip along the outer edge may be all that stands between this card and absolute grading perfection.
Beyond its condition, this card holds deep historical significance. Issued the same year Clemente led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship, he was named World Series MVP after batting .414 and dazzling fans with his defensive brilliance. Just over a year later, on December 31, 1972, Clemente tragically died in a plane crash en route to deliver humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was 38.
Clemente’s passing sent shockwaves throughout the baseball world. Pirates teammate Manny Sanguillén famously skipped the memorial service to dive into the Atlantic Ocean, desperately searching for his lost friend. In 1973, Clemente was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Latin American and Caribbean player to receive that honor.
A 3,000-hit club member, 12-time Gold Glove winner, and cultural icon, Clemente’s legacy transcends the sport. This card not only captures a timeless image of Clemente mid-swing but also preserves the memory of a man who defined both excellence and integrity on and off the field.