I am going to start looking at the card backs from 1979. I will ignore the variations in logos and trademarks.
First I want to see who is NOT included in the set. A quick check of the league leaders from 1978 was my starting point for this.
Mike Caldwell - 3rd in WAR -- not in any sets
Amos Otis - 2nd in WAR for position players -- he was in the 1971-74 sets
Doug Decinces - 4th in WAR for position players -- not in any sets
Mark Belanger - 1st in defensive WAR -- not in any sets
Bobby Bonds - 31 homers -- he was in the 1973 - 1974 sets
Rico Carty - 31 homers -- only appeared in 1991
Rusty Staub - 121 RBIs -- only found as a 1970 proof card
Omar Moreno - 71 steals -- not in any sets
Mike Caldwell had a solid career from 1971 to 1984 and 1978 was his best season. He finished 22 - 9 and was runner-up in the Cy Young voting to Ron Guidry.
Doug Decinces played from 1973 to 1987. In 1978 he hit 28 homers. He added 30 homers in 1982. He had MVP votes in 1982 and 1986.
Mark Belanger played from 1965 to 1981 with the Orioles and then in 1982 he was a Dodger. He won eight Gold Gloves during the Kellogg's era. In three of those seasons he also received MVP votes but I guess a .228 career average and few runs produced worked against him.
Rico Carty played from 1963 to 1979. He led the NL in batting in 1970. He also had 99 RBIs in 1979.
Omar Moreno played from 1975 to 1986. He stole 487 bases which places him 42nd in MLB history. He led the league in steals twice and didn't lead the league when he stole 96 bases in 1980. Ron LeFlore of the Expos had 97 steals that year.
