The Gold Gloves Page!
1957 Topps #328 Brooks Robinson RC
| 1979 Topps #116 Ozzie Smith RC |
On this page, we feature some great fielders. Down through baseball's history, there have been many terrific fielders; Tris Speaker ("The
Gray Eagle"), "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" (all of whom are mysteriously enshrined in Cooperstown, but if you check their stats you
would have to say they must have been SPECTACULAR glove men). The original "Pistol Pete," Pete Reiser of the Brooklyn Dodgers,
was famous for his spectacular head-first crashes into the outfield walls (before padding) which prematurely ended his promising career.
Joe DiMaggio was considered a graceful centerfielder who rarely made mistakes in the outfield. In the 1950's, there was a debate about
who the greatest centerfielder in New York was- Willie Mays of the New York Giants, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees, or Edwin
"Duke" Snider of the Brooklyn Dodgers. You also had the emergence of talented infielders from South America like Luis Aparicio, and
some terrific outfielders like Jimmy Piersall, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, & Carl Yastrzemski (to name just a few). This page honors
the great glove men of baseball.
Gray Eagle"), "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" (all of whom are mysteriously enshrined in Cooperstown, but if you check their stats you
would have to say they must have been SPECTACULAR glove men). The original "Pistol Pete," Pete Reiser of the Brooklyn Dodgers,
was famous for his spectacular head-first crashes into the outfield walls (before padding) which prematurely ended his promising career.
Joe DiMaggio was considered a graceful centerfielder who rarely made mistakes in the outfield. In the 1950's, there was a debate about
who the greatest centerfielder in New York was- Willie Mays of the New York Giants, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees, or Edwin
"Duke" Snider of the Brooklyn Dodgers. You also had the emergence of talented infielders from South America like Luis Aparicio, and
some terrific outfielders like Jimmy Piersall, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, & Carl Yastrzemski (to name just a few). This page honors
the great glove men of baseball.
1953 Bowman Color #18 Nellie Fox
Nelson "Nellie" Fox was a sure-handed fielder who played almost 2,300 (2,295) games at second
base. Along with shortstop Luis Aparicio, they teamed for one of the great double play combinations
in baseball. Nellie should get more consideration for the Hall of Fame then he has. He played 19
seasons, had a very respectable .288 batting average, had nearly 2,700 hits (2,663), scored 1,279
runs, and had 790 RBIs. He was part of 1,621 double plays and had a nifty .984 fielding average. He
played in one World Series (1959) and batted .375 with 9 hits, 3 doubles, scored 4 runs, and played
a flawless second base. Nellie won 3 Gold Gloves and would have picked up more except for the
fact that they didn't start giving away Gold Glove awards until 1957. By that time Nellie had already
been played 10 seasons. His last two seasons were as a member of the Houston Astros and I have
heard Hall Of Famer Joe Morgan (also a second baseman) say that he learned a lot from Nellie Fox. I
guess the question should be, why ISN'T Nellie Fox in the Hall of Fame? Nellie died in 1975. He was
only 48 years old.
This is a terrific card from the classic 1953 Bowman Color set. Bowman also issued a black & white
card set the same year and these are much more difficult to acquire than the "color" Bowman cards.
As beautiful as these cards are, Bowman only was to issue two more baseball sets from 1954-1955.
They were bought by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. and it wasn't until 1989 that the "Bowman" name
resurfaced as one of Topps' products. It's a real shame that Bowman couldn't share the baseball
card market with Topps as they really made some fantastic cards from 1948-1955.
base. Along with shortstop Luis Aparicio, they teamed for one of the great double play combinations
in baseball. Nellie should get more consideration for the Hall of Fame then he has. He played 19
seasons, had a very respectable .288 batting average, had nearly 2,700 hits (2,663), scored 1,279
runs, and had 790 RBIs. He was part of 1,621 double plays and had a nifty .984 fielding average. He
played in one World Series (1959) and batted .375 with 9 hits, 3 doubles, scored 4 runs, and played
a flawless second base. Nellie won 3 Gold Gloves and would have picked up more except for the
fact that they didn't start giving away Gold Glove awards until 1957. By that time Nellie had already
been played 10 seasons. His last two seasons were as a member of the Houston Astros and I have
heard Hall Of Famer Joe Morgan (also a second baseman) say that he learned a lot from Nellie Fox. I
guess the question should be, why ISN'T Nellie Fox in the Hall of Fame? Nellie died in 1975. He was
only 48 years old.
This is a terrific card from the classic 1953 Bowman Color set. Bowman also issued a black & white
card set the same year and these are much more difficult to acquire than the "color" Bowman cards.
As beautiful as these cards are, Bowman only was to issue two more baseball sets from 1954-1955.
They were bought by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. and it wasn't until 1989 that the "Bowman" name
resurfaced as one of Topps' products. It's a real shame that Bowman couldn't share the baseball
card market with Topps as they really made some fantastic cards from 1948-1955.
| 1965 Topps #385 Carl Yastrzemski |
Carl Yastrzemski took over left field for Ted Williams (who had retired after
the 1960 season) and while Yaz never batted over .400 like Teddy Ballgame,
he did put up some impressive hitting numbers, especially during the 1960's
(which was considered a "pitcher-friendly" era; in fact, Yaz won the 1968 AL
Batting Title with a .301 average- the only American League player to post a
.300 average that year!). But while Williams was the master of hitting, Yaz
was the master of left field. Yaz learned to play the Green Monster like he
owned it and not only did he make spectacular catches, he also had a terrific
arm and seldom would a runner take chances on a bullet from Yaz. In the
1969 All-Star Game, Yaz made a spectacular catch to rob Johnny Bench of a
2nd home run. Yastrzemski won 7 Gold Gloves for fielding excellence
including one in 1977 when he was 38 years old! Come on, are you kidding
me??? Yaz was the man. Here is one of the few cards to picture Yaz with a
glove. Most of the Topps cards pictured him with a bat. You gotta love these
"posed" action shots from Topps. It wasn't until 1971 that Topps finally
started using game shots in their photography.
the 1960 season) and while Yaz never batted over .400 like Teddy Ballgame,
he did put up some impressive hitting numbers, especially during the 1960's
(which was considered a "pitcher-friendly" era; in fact, Yaz won the 1968 AL
Batting Title with a .301 average- the only American League player to post a
.300 average that year!). But while Williams was the master of hitting, Yaz
was the master of left field. Yaz learned to play the Green Monster like he
owned it and not only did he make spectacular catches, he also had a terrific
arm and seldom would a runner take chances on a bullet from Yaz. In the
1969 All-Star Game, Yaz made a spectacular catch to rob Johnny Bench of a
2nd home run. Yastrzemski won 7 Gold Gloves for fielding excellence
including one in 1977 when he was 38 years old! Come on, are you kidding
me??? Yaz was the man. Here is one of the few cards to picture Yaz with a
glove. Most of the Topps cards pictured him with a bat. You gotta love these
"posed" action shots from Topps. It wasn't until 1971 that Topps finally
started using game shots in their photography.
1949 Bowman #142 Eddie Waitkus RC
While Eddie Waitkus never won any Gold Glove awards (they didn't start until 1957 and
Waitkus was finished by then) he was considered one of the finest fielding first basemen in
the National League. Most have never heard of Eddie Waitkus, but if you have ever seen
the Robert Redford baseball movie "The Natural," that story was based on the real-life Eddie
Waitkus. Waitkus never hit a dramatic game-ending blast that shattered the outfield lights;
but he WAS really shot by a deranged female fan in 1949 (as was Redford's character Roy
Hobbs in the movie). It is a testimony to Eddie Waitkus that he made a remarkable comeback
and was able to play a few more years in the major leagues after his serious injuries. Eddie
was a member of the 1950 "Fightin' Phillies" team that went on to the World Series vs. the
New York Yankees. While Eddie Waitkus is not remembered so much as a ballplayer, it
should be noted that he served in numerous campaigns in the Pacific during World War ll.
Our veterans, both past and present should always be remembered. A terrific book on the
life of Eddie Waitkus is "Baseball's Natural: The Eddie Waitkus Story" by John Theodore.
This is Eddie Waitkus' first baseball card, from the 1949 Bowman set.
Waitkus was finished by then) he was considered one of the finest fielding first basemen in
the National League. Most have never heard of Eddie Waitkus, but if you have ever seen
the Robert Redford baseball movie "The Natural," that story was based on the real-life Eddie
Waitkus. Waitkus never hit a dramatic game-ending blast that shattered the outfield lights;
but he WAS really shot by a deranged female fan in 1949 (as was Redford's character Roy
Hobbs in the movie). It is a testimony to Eddie Waitkus that he made a remarkable comeback
and was able to play a few more years in the major leagues after his serious injuries. Eddie
was a member of the 1950 "Fightin' Phillies" team that went on to the World Series vs. the
New York Yankees. While Eddie Waitkus is not remembered so much as a ballplayer, it
should be noted that he served in numerous campaigns in the Pacific during World War ll.
Our veterans, both past and present should always be remembered. A terrific book on the
life of Eddie Waitkus is "Baseball's Natural: The Eddie Waitkus Story" by John Theodore.
This is Eddie Waitkus' first baseball card, from the 1949 Bowman set.
1969 Topps #95 Johnny Bench
While there will always be a debate about who was the greatest player at a
certain position, there should really be no debate about who is the greatest
catcher in baseball history. Johnny Bench REVOLUTIONIZED the position.
Even as a rookie in 1967, there was no doubt as to who was in charge out
there. Bench won the N.L. Rookie of the Year Award in 1967 and won the Gold
Glove award at catcher in his very first year. Bench was the catcher behind
"THE BIG RED MACHINE" that went to the World Series in 1970, 1972, 1975, &
1976. At the time of his retirement in 1983, Bench had acquired 10 Gold
Glove awards and was the All-time Home Run leader among catchers. Both
records have since been beaten, but if I had to choose a catcher (in their
prime) among Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Piazza, or Johnny Bench, I am taking Bench
all the way. I think if you combine Rodriguez' fielding with Piazza's hitting early in
his career you would have an idea of what Johnny Bench brought to the game
when he played. On the back of Bench's 1970 Topps card (#660) Topps calls
Bench "a future Hall of Famer at 23." Keep in mind this was only Bench's 3rd
card! What a player.
certain position, there should really be no debate about who is the greatest
catcher in baseball history. Johnny Bench REVOLUTIONIZED the position.
Even as a rookie in 1967, there was no doubt as to who was in charge out
there. Bench won the N.L. Rookie of the Year Award in 1967 and won the Gold
Glove award at catcher in his very first year. Bench was the catcher behind
"THE BIG RED MACHINE" that went to the World Series in 1970, 1972, 1975, &
1976. At the time of his retirement in 1983, Bench had acquired 10 Gold
Glove awards and was the All-time Home Run leader among catchers. Both
records have since been beaten, but if I had to choose a catcher (in their
prime) among Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Piazza, or Johnny Bench, I am taking Bench
all the way. I think if you combine Rodriguez' fielding with Piazza's hitting early in
his career you would have an idea of what Johnny Bench brought to the game
when he played. On the back of Bench's 1970 Topps card (#660) Topps calls
Bench "a future Hall of Famer at 23." Keep in mind this was only Bench's 3rd
card! What a player.
1966 Topps #1 Willie Mays
When you talk about all-time greats, the name Willie Mays is always mentioned. Mays
had it all. He could hit for average. He could hit with power. He could run. And he
could field. I am pretty sure Mays is considered the greatest outfielder ever. And quite
possibly the greatest player, ever. Mays, like some the players mentioned earlier, did
not get as many Gold Glove awards as he deserved, yet still won 12 Gold Glove
Awards and is the All-Time Leader in putouts by an outfielder with an astonishing
7,095. A good portion of those were probably hits that Mays took away. Back in the
1950's, when the major powers were the three New York teams (Dodgers, Giants,
Yankees) and each featured a superb centerfielder, (Snider, Mays, Mantle), there
was a debate about who was the greatest centerfielder. There was even a song called
"Willie, Mickey, & the Duke." But in 1957, the first year of the Gold Glove Awards (and
it was just one award for both leagues) guess who won the award for centerfield- you
got it, Willie Mays. Topps usually held the #1 card as a place of special honor and in
1966 it was Willie Mays who got the #1 spot as he had won the N.L. Most Valuable
Player award the previous season (1965). As is the case with most #1 cards (& the
last card in the set), it is tough to find in NM or better condition. This is due to the fact
that most kids would put the cards in numerical order, wrap rubber bands around
them and stuff 'em in shoe boxes. Hence the first and last cards were always more
susceptible to wear. Mays was also featured on a #1 card in the 1973 Topps set
which honored the three All-Time Home Run Leaders (Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, &
Willie Mays) at the time.
had it all. He could hit for average. He could hit with power. He could run. And he
could field. I am pretty sure Mays is considered the greatest outfielder ever. And quite
possibly the greatest player, ever. Mays, like some the players mentioned earlier, did
not get as many Gold Glove awards as he deserved, yet still won 12 Gold Glove
Awards and is the All-Time Leader in putouts by an outfielder with an astonishing
7,095. A good portion of those were probably hits that Mays took away. Back in the
1950's, when the major powers were the three New York teams (Dodgers, Giants,
Yankees) and each featured a superb centerfielder, (Snider, Mays, Mantle), there
was a debate about who was the greatest centerfielder. There was even a song called
"Willie, Mickey, & the Duke." But in 1957, the first year of the Gold Glove Awards (and
it was just one award for both leagues) guess who won the award for centerfield- you
got it, Willie Mays. Topps usually held the #1 card as a place of special honor and in
1966 it was Willie Mays who got the #1 spot as he had won the N.L. Most Valuable
Player award the previous season (1965). As is the case with most #1 cards (& the
last card in the set), it is tough to find in NM or better condition. This is due to the fact
that most kids would put the cards in numerical order, wrap rubber bands around
them and stuff 'em in shoe boxes. Hence the first and last cards were always more
susceptible to wear. Mays was also featured on a #1 card in the 1973 Topps set
which honored the three All-Time Home Run Leaders (Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, &
Willie Mays) at the time.
1967 Topps #20 Al Kaline
.How good was Al Kaline? Well for starters, Al Kaline never played minor
league ball. He went straight to the bigs. And not only that, he won a batting
title in only his third year with a .340 average in 1955. Kaline and Yastrzemski
were similar in a lot of respects in that both had over 3,000 hits and both had
nearly 400 HRs or more (Kaline had 399, Yaz had 452). Kaline had a lifetime
.297 batting mark to Yaz's .285. Even their jersey numbers were close! Kaline
wore #6 while Yaz wore #8. And both were fantastic outfielders. Kaline was also
the recipient of the first Gold Glove Awards (1957) and went on to acquire a
total of 10 Gold Gloves as an outfielder. A real classy guy I remember reading
a quote of Kaline about Mickey Mantle. Some fan yelled out to Kaline in right
field "you ain't no Mickey Mantle." Well Kaline responded "Son, no one is half
as good as Mickey Mantle." What a class act. I got to meet Al Kaline in 1980
prior to the All-Star Game in Los Angeles and it was quite a thrill to meet him.
This is another rare Topps card showing Kaline with a glove. The only other
Topps card to feature Kaline with a glove is his last card (1974 Topps #215)
which features him playing first base at the end of his career.
league ball. He went straight to the bigs. And not only that, he won a batting
title in only his third year with a .340 average in 1955. Kaline and Yastrzemski
were similar in a lot of respects in that both had over 3,000 hits and both had
nearly 400 HRs or more (Kaline had 399, Yaz had 452). Kaline had a lifetime
.297 batting mark to Yaz's .285. Even their jersey numbers were close! Kaline
wore #6 while Yaz wore #8. And both were fantastic outfielders. Kaline was also
the recipient of the first Gold Glove Awards (1957) and went on to acquire a
total of 10 Gold Gloves as an outfielder. A real classy guy I remember reading
a quote of Kaline about Mickey Mantle. Some fan yelled out to Kaline in right
field "you ain't no Mickey Mantle." Well Kaline responded "Son, no one is half
as good as Mickey Mantle." What a class act. I got to meet Al Kaline in 1980
prior to the All-Star Game in Los Angeles and it was quite a thrill to meet him.
This is another rare Topps card showing Kaline with a glove. The only other
Topps card to feature Kaline with a glove is his last card (1974 Topps #215)
which features him playing first base at the end of his career.
| 1971 Topps #630 Roberto Clemente |
One of the most colorful players in baseball history was Jim "Jimmy" Piersall.
Piersall got into fights (usually with Billy Martin by calling him "big nose"), had a
nervous breakdown, ran around the bases backwards, kicked a fan in the rear
who had ran after him on the field, even called player's wives "horny bitches"
(while he was an announcer with the Chicago White Sox; he also called the
owner's wife a "colossal bore." He was shortly fired...). He was such a character
they even made a feature film about his life ("Fear Strikes Out" starring Anthony
Perkins and Karl Malden). But all antics aside, Piersall was considered by most to
be the best fly chaser in the American League. On the back of one of his baseball
cards it says that if "you want to find Jim Piersall all you have to do is throw a
baseball on to the field and he will show up to catch it." (I think that is on the back
of his 1955 Bowman #16 card). Again Piersall did not win as many Gold Gloves as
he should have as he began playing in 1950. He did win 2 Gold Glove Awards
for his outfield play (one in 1958 with Boston, and one with Cleveland in 1961).
What a guy.
Piersall got into fights (usually with Billy Martin by calling him "big nose"), had a
nervous breakdown, ran around the bases backwards, kicked a fan in the rear
who had ran after him on the field, even called player's wives "horny bitches"
(while he was an announcer with the Chicago White Sox; he also called the
owner's wife a "colossal bore." He was shortly fired...). He was such a character
they even made a feature film about his life ("Fear Strikes Out" starring Anthony
Perkins and Karl Malden). But all antics aside, Piersall was considered by most to
be the best fly chaser in the American League. On the back of one of his baseball
cards it says that if "you want to find Jim Piersall all you have to do is throw a
baseball on to the field and he will show up to catch it." (I think that is on the back
of his 1955 Bowman #16 card). Again Piersall did not win as many Gold Gloves as
he should have as he began playing in 1950. He did win 2 Gold Glove Awards
for his outfield play (one in 1958 with Boston, and one with Cleveland in 1961).
What a guy.
1960 Topps #159 Jim Piersall
The great Roberto Clemente. Clemente is still considered one of baseball's best
right fielders of all-time. Clemente won 12 Gold Gloves and had 269 assists in his
career. This works out to almost 15 assists per season and he would have had
more but for the fact that most runners did not take a chance on Clemente's arm.
A wonderfully talented player that almost ended up a DODGER. The Dodgers had
signed Roberto to a minor league contract but instead of calling him up they tried
to "hide" him in their Montreal farm club. Instead he was spotted by a Pittsburgh
scout and he was signed to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Can you imagine
Clemente on the great 1960s Dodger teams with Koufax, Drysdale, Willie Davis,
Frank Howard, Tommy Davis, Jim Gilliam, Maury Wills, etc.? They probably would
have owned the 1960s. Clemente did appear in 2 World Series, both winners
(1960 vs. the Yankees, and 1971 vs. Orioles). The 1960 game was mostly
remembered for Mazeroski's heroics (see below) but Clemente actually had a fine
series batting .310 with 9 hits. But it was in 1971 that Clemente showed the world
his talents on the big stage and he went on to hit .414, with 12 hits (2 doubles, 1
triple, 2 HRs), score 3, and drive in 4. He also played flawless in the field.
Clemente is the right fielder against which all others are measured. This is one of
his last cards (& my personal favorite Clemente card). His last card is 1973 Topps
#50.
right fielders of all-time. Clemente won 12 Gold Gloves and had 269 assists in his
career. This works out to almost 15 assists per season and he would have had
more but for the fact that most runners did not take a chance on Clemente's arm.
A wonderfully talented player that almost ended up a DODGER. The Dodgers had
signed Roberto to a minor league contract but instead of calling him up they tried
to "hide" him in their Montreal farm club. Instead he was spotted by a Pittsburgh
scout and he was signed to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Can you imagine
Clemente on the great 1960s Dodger teams with Koufax, Drysdale, Willie Davis,
Frank Howard, Tommy Davis, Jim Gilliam, Maury Wills, etc.? They probably would
have owned the 1960s. Clemente did appear in 2 World Series, both winners
(1960 vs. the Yankees, and 1971 vs. Orioles). The 1960 game was mostly
remembered for Mazeroski's heroics (see below) but Clemente actually had a fine
series batting .310 with 9 hits. But it was in 1971 that Clemente showed the world
his talents on the big stage and he went on to hit .414, with 12 hits (2 doubles, 1
triple, 2 HRs), score 3, and drive in 4. He also played flawless in the field.
Clemente is the right fielder against which all others are measured. This is one of
his last cards (& my personal favorite Clemente card). His last card is 1973 Topps
#50.
1960 Post Cereal #128 Bill Mazeroski (Company version)
A lot of people think Bill Mazeroski got into the Hall of Fame based only on his series-ending clutch HR to end the 1960 World Series vs. the favored New
York Yankees. Maz was a good hitter, not great, but more than adequate for his position (2B). He had over 2,000 hits, scored 769 runs, and drove in 853.
He also batted .400 in 3 League Championship Series and hit .308 with 2 HRs in 2 World Series. However it is for his fine play at second base that Mazeroski
is in the Hall of Fame. Maz won a total of 8 Gold Gloves in his career and I am sure even Joe Morgan, another Hall Of Fame second baseman, would agree
that Mazeroski belongs in the Hall. This is an early Mazeroski card from the 1961 Post Cereal set. In 1961 you could obtain these cards by either cutting
them out from the cereal box or you could also get them directly from the company in team sheets that were perforated so that you could pull the cards
apart. This is one of the Post company issues. The difference is that the Company cards usually show signs of perforations while the cereal cards usually
show signs of being cut from the cereal box (in most cases the cutting is pretty rough as most were cut out by enthusiastic kids). The paper stock is also
different on the two versions.
York Yankees. Maz was a good hitter, not great, but more than adequate for his position (2B). He had over 2,000 hits, scored 769 runs, and drove in 853.
He also batted .400 in 3 League Championship Series and hit .308 with 2 HRs in 2 World Series. However it is for his fine play at second base that Mazeroski
is in the Hall of Fame. Maz won a total of 8 Gold Gloves in his career and I am sure even Joe Morgan, another Hall Of Fame second baseman, would agree
that Mazeroski belongs in the Hall. This is an early Mazeroski card from the 1961 Post Cereal set. In 1961 you could obtain these cards by either cutting
them out from the cereal box or you could also get them directly from the company in team sheets that were perforated so that you could pull the cards
apart. This is one of the Post company issues. The difference is that the Company cards usually show signs of perforations while the cereal cards usually
show signs of being cut from the cereal box (in most cases the cutting is pretty rough as most were cut out by enthusiastic kids). The paper stock is also
different on the two versions.
1952 Topps #189 Pete Reiser
The original "Pistol Pete," Pete Reiser was an up and coming star for the Brooklyn Dodgers, helping them to their first pennant in 1941. Reiser led the league that year with a
nifty .343 average, along with 39 doubles, 17 triples, 14 HRs, 117 runs, and 76 RBIs. Not bad for a rookie. Reiser was a great fly chaser, however it was his almost suicidal
penchant for running head first into concrete walls (remember this was before padding on the outfield walls) that brought a premature end to Reiser's career. In July of 1942
Reiser ran into the center field wall at Ebbett's Field chasing a drive by Cardinals Hall of Famer Enos Slaughter and fractured his skull. Unbelievably just 3 days later, Reiser
was back in a Dodger uniform despite severe head pain. Today, this would never happen with a player, but back then the owners sometimes did not take care of players the
way they should have. The Dodgers were in a pennant drive and so Reiser played, despite bouts of double vision. He only batted .200 the rest of the season and finished at
.310. Essentially Reiser's career ended in 1942. He only played 7 more seasons, mostly part-time for the Dodgers, Braves, Pirates, and Indians. So his career, like so many
others, was that of "what could have been." However Reiser was absolutely adored by Brooklyn's faithful and he is still remembered thanks to baseball cards. This is his last
card as an active player, from the classic 1952 Topps set.
nifty .343 average, along with 39 doubles, 17 triples, 14 HRs, 117 runs, and 76 RBIs. Not bad for a rookie. Reiser was a great fly chaser, however it was his almost suicidal
penchant for running head first into concrete walls (remember this was before padding on the outfield walls) that brought a premature end to Reiser's career. In July of 1942
Reiser ran into the center field wall at Ebbett's Field chasing a drive by Cardinals Hall of Famer Enos Slaughter and fractured his skull. Unbelievably just 3 days later, Reiser
was back in a Dodger uniform despite severe head pain. Today, this would never happen with a player, but back then the owners sometimes did not take care of players the
way they should have. The Dodgers were in a pennant drive and so Reiser played, despite bouts of double vision. He only batted .200 the rest of the season and finished at
.310. Essentially Reiser's career ended in 1942. He only played 7 more seasons, mostly part-time for the Dodgers, Braves, Pirates, and Indians. So his career, like so many
others, was that of "what could have been." However Reiser was absolutely adored by Brooklyn's faithful and he is still remembered thanks to baseball cards. This is his last
card as an active player, from the classic 1952 Topps set.
1910 T206 Beals Becker (American Beauty back)
I am not sure if Beals Becker of the Boston Braves was a GOLD GLOVE fielder, but he sure looks like it in this beautiful early tobacco card! Great catch!
The T206 cards were issued with different brands of tobacco, with Sweet Caporal and Piedmont being the most common. There are many scarce and rare backs. The
"American Beauty" backs would fit more into the "scarce" catagory. Not rare, but pretty scarce. Backs with other than Sweet Caporal or Piedmont usually command a premium.
The T206 cards were issued with different brands of tobacco, with Sweet Caporal and Piedmont being the most common. There are many scarce and rare backs. The
"American Beauty" backs would fit more into the "scarce" catagory. Not rare, but pretty scarce. Backs with other than Sweet Caporal or Piedmont usually command a premium.