That is how I acquired the '83 Topps set. Pack by pack, with the exception of about 12 commons that I picked up at a card show in 90. As for the Baron's set, yes it is very similar. In fact, that thought crossed my mind before you pointed it out the first time. That's a nice looking set of cards.
Your Gary Peters card is a 1966 Topps, right?
If memory serves me correct, yes it is. I would pick up occasional old Sox cards too, as I collected.