Outstanding pair of 1977 Topps proofs featuring Garry "If I Ain't Startin' I Ain't Departin'" Templeton. Iin 1977 Templeton was a promisng shortstop who was the first switch hitter to collect 100 hits from either side of the plate in a single season an achievement that has happened only once since Templeton did it in 1979. He led the National League in 1980 but had run-ins with Cardinals fans ultimately causing St. Louis to trade him to the San Diego Padres for Ozzie Smith. Templeton continued to play through the 1991 season a consistent player who fell short of the achievements of his early career but remained a dependable presence up the middle with the Padres throughout the 80s winning a Silver Slugger in 1984 and making the All-Star team in 1985. These two proof cards come directly from the Topps Archive auction in New York in 1989. One of the two graded MINT 9 by Beckett is missing the facsimile signature at the bottom of the card. The second graded NM-MT+ 8.5 by Beckett has the signature but is missing the Topps All-Star Rookie trophy. Both examples are blank-backed. Two cards total.