| The Jimmy Piersall Page! |
1959-60 Neptune Sardines Jimmy Piersall autographed
postcard
postcard
On December 2, 1958, Jim Piersall was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Vic Wertz and Gary Geiger. This 1959-1960 Neptune
Sardines Jimmy Piersall postcard was autographed by Piersall in 1960 (note the postmark of Sept 28, 1960; also note how much it cost to send a postcard back
then...). He would use these postcards to send to fan's requesting his autograph. Piersall played only three seasons for the Tribe, but hit 18 home runs for them in
1960, and finishing 3rd in the AL batting race with his highest career batting average (.322).
Sardines Jimmy Piersall postcard was autographed by Piersall in 1960 (note the postmark of Sept 28, 1960; also note how much it cost to send a postcard back
then...). He would use these postcards to send to fan's requesting his autograph. Piersall played only three seasons for the Tribe, but hit 18 home runs for them in
1960, and finishing 3rd in the AL batting race with his highest career batting average (.322).
One of the most popular and colorful players in baseball history would have to be the amazing Jim "Jimmy" Piersall. Jim Piersall started his career with the Boston
Red Sox and quickly earned a spot in the Red Sox outfield. Piersall was one of the best fly chasers in baseball history. Along the way, Piersall got 6 hits in game, had a
nervous breakdown, had a movie made after him ("Fear Strikes Out" starring Anthony Perkins of "Psycho" fame no less), caught a baseball behind the Yankee Stadium
monuments, got into numerous fist fights with Billy Martin, heckled Bill Martin (this takes the nads of a marshmallow salesman), did calisthenics in the outfield during
games, ran around the bases backwards, had 7 kids, kicked a fan in the rear during a game, got into more fights with Billy Martin, did a "war dance" in the outfield to
distract Ted Williams, and in general, was quite an entertaining fellow. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Mets, and
California Angels. And he was a fan favorite in every city he played in. After his playing days were over he continued to delight fans with his color commentary with the
Chicago White Sox and his books including "The Truth Hurts." While Jim Piersall is not in Baseball's Hall of Fame, this in no way means he isn't deserving of some sort
of award. So on this page we pay honor to the man, the myth, the legend....Jimmy Piersall! Enjoy!
Red Sox and quickly earned a spot in the Red Sox outfield. Piersall was one of the best fly chasers in baseball history. Along the way, Piersall got 6 hits in game, had a
nervous breakdown, had a movie made after him ("Fear Strikes Out" starring Anthony Perkins of "Psycho" fame no less), caught a baseball behind the Yankee Stadium
monuments, got into numerous fist fights with Billy Martin, heckled Bill Martin (this takes the nads of a marshmallow salesman), did calisthenics in the outfield during
games, ran around the bases backwards, had 7 kids, kicked a fan in the rear during a game, got into more fights with Billy Martin, did a "war dance" in the outfield to
distract Ted Williams, and in general, was quite an entertaining fellow. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Mets, and
California Angels. And he was a fan favorite in every city he played in. After his playing days were over he continued to delight fans with his color commentary with the
Chicago White Sox and his books including "The Truth Hurts." While Jim Piersall is not in Baseball's Hall of Fame, this in no way means he isn't deserving of some sort
of award. So on this page we pay honor to the man, the myth, the legend....Jimmy Piersall! Enjoy!
1959-60 Neptune Sardines Jimmy Piersall autographed postcard (back view)
1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957
Bowman #306 Bowman #189 Bowman B/W #36 Bowman #66b & 210 Bowman #16 Topps #143 Topps #75
(Rookie Card) (front image same)
Bowman #306 Bowman #189 Bowman B/W #36 Bowman #66b & 210 Bowman #16 Topps #143 Topps #75
(Rookie Card) (front image same)
1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1962 1963 1963
Topps #280 Topps #355 Topps #159 Topps #345 Topps #51 Topps #90 Fleer #29 Topps #443
('61 AL Batting Ldrs)
Topps #280 Topps #355 Topps #159 Topps #345 Topps #51 Topps #90 Fleer #29 Topps #443
('61 AL Batting Ldrs)
1964 1965 1966 1967
Topps #586 Topps #172 Topps #565 SP Topps #584
(Final card as player)
Topps #586 Topps #172 Topps #565 SP Topps #584
(Final card as player)
One of the big highlights of Piersall's tenure with the Indians was in a game vs. the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 10, 1961, when two "fans" accosted
him in the outfield. They quickly realized that Jimmy Piersall was not in the mood to be pals. Piersall decked the first one, and the second tried to run away but was
kicked fiercely in the rear end by one of Piersall's cleats. While there are 3 police officers in the picture (above), it sure looks like the one who needed protection was
the fleeing fan. The Yankee crowd gave Jimmy Piersall a standing ovation.
him in the outfield. They quickly realized that Jimmy Piersall was not in the mood to be pals. Piersall decked the first one, and the second tried to run away but was
kicked fiercely in the rear end by one of Piersall's cleats. While there are 3 police officers in the picture (above), it sure looks like the one who needed protection was
the fleeing fan. The Yankee crowd gave Jimmy Piersall a standing ovation.
| Jimmy Piersall in action! |
1954 Red Man Tobacco #11 Jim Piersall (with tab)
Jim Piersall started his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1950. His best year with the Red Sox probably was 1956, when he batted .293 with 176 hits, 40 doubles (led
league), 6 triples, 14 home runs, 91 runs, and 87 RBIs. In the outfield, he made only 4 errors while making 455 putouts. He also had 10 assists.
Red Man Chewing Tobacco issued full color baseball cards starting in 1952 through 1955. They are beautiful drawings (almost miniature paintings) and are 3-1/2" x 4"
with the tab intact. The tabs were redeemable for a free baseball cap so cards with the tab intact command a premium over cards that have had the tab removed.
league), 6 triples, 14 home runs, 91 runs, and 87 RBIs. In the outfield, he made only 4 errors while making 455 putouts. He also had 10 assists.
Red Man Chewing Tobacco issued full color baseball cards starting in 1952 through 1955. They are beautiful drawings (almost miniature paintings) and are 3-1/2" x 4"
with the tab intact. The tabs were redeemable for a free baseball cap so cards with the tab intact command a premium over cards that have had the tab removed.
| 1947-66 Exhibit Jimmy Piersall |
1951 Bowman #309 Jim Piersall RC
| 1977-79 Sportscaster Jimmy Piersall |
After his playing days were over, Piersall continued to make headlines as both an author, and as a color analyst alongside Harry Caray for the Chicago White Sox.
Piersall and Caray made a great team and Piersall of course, would continue being Jimmy Piersall. He ticked off the Angels team when he read off their yearly salaries
during a telecast, and also called player's wives "horny bitches" and the White Sox owner's wife a "Colossal bore." Piersall was fired after that one. But he was sure loved
by the fans. The autographed 8 x 10 photo above (above, left) pictures both Jimmy Piersall and Haray Caray at Old Comisky Park in Chicago. The baseball card
pictured above (above, right), called "Sportscaster," were issued via mail order from 1977-1979. They feature many baseball players and former players and this is a
terrific one of Piersall during his broadcasting days.
Piersall and Caray made a great team and Piersall of course, would continue being Jimmy Piersall. He ticked off the Angels team when he read off their yearly salaries
during a telecast, and also called player's wives "horny bitches" and the White Sox owner's wife a "Colossal bore." Piersall was fired after that one. But he was sure loved
by the fans. The autographed 8 x 10 photo above (above, left) pictures both Jimmy Piersall and Haray Caray at Old Comisky Park in Chicago. The baseball card
pictured above (above, right), called "Sportscaster," were issued via mail order from 1977-1979. They feature many baseball players and former players and this is a
terrific one of Piersall during his broadcasting days.
The Jimmy Piersall Page is currently under construction. If you enjoyed this page, see my other player
pages such as THE TONY C Page! , Fred Lynn Page!, Roger Maris Page! and Carl Yastrzemski Page! More to
come soon!
pages such as THE TONY C Page! , Fred Lynn Page!, Roger Maris Page! and Carl Yastrzemski Page! More to
come soon!
1954 Bowman #66 Ted Williams 1954 Bowman #66 Jimmy Piersall
If you collect Jimmy Piersall cards, and you have just ONE 1954 Bowman Piersall card, guess what- you are missing one! In 1954 Bowman issued a Ted Williams card
(card #66). However Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. had previously inked Williams' to an exclusive 2-card appearance in the 1954 Topps set (card #1 & #250, the first and
last cards in the set). So Bowman had to cancel printing of their Ted Williams card, thereby creating a very scarce Ted Williams card. Now Bowman had a dilemma.
Whose card was now going to be #66? Well I guess someone at Bowman was a really big Jimmy Piersall fan, Red Sox fan, or probably both, because they now issued
card #66 as Jimmy Piersall even though Piersall was already card number 210 in the set. The card fronts on both Piersall cards are exactly the same and so are the
backs with the exception of the card numbers. So there is a 1954 Bowman #66 (referred to as #66b) Jimmy Piersall card AND a 1954 Bowman #210 Jimmy
Piersall card. The #66b Piersall card is a bit tougher than #210 and hence, is a bit more valuable. The 1954 Bowman #66b Piersall lists from $18 in VG condition to
$60 in NM, while the #210 Piersall card lists at $10 in VG to $32.50 in NM.
By the way, speaking of valuable, the 1954 Bowman #66 Ted Williams card (referred to as #66a) is easily the most expensive card in the 1954 Bowman set. In fact it
is considered so scarce that price guides consider the 1954 Bowman set complete without the #66a Ted Williams card! The Williams card lists at $550 in VG
condition to $2,500 in NM grade (using my outdated 2006 SCD Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards), while examples graded by reputable grading services bring
even more.
(card #66). However Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. had previously inked Williams' to an exclusive 2-card appearance in the 1954 Topps set (card #1 & #250, the first and
last cards in the set). So Bowman had to cancel printing of their Ted Williams card, thereby creating a very scarce Ted Williams card. Now Bowman had a dilemma.
Whose card was now going to be #66? Well I guess someone at Bowman was a really big Jimmy Piersall fan, Red Sox fan, or probably both, because they now issued
card #66 as Jimmy Piersall even though Piersall was already card number 210 in the set. The card fronts on both Piersall cards are exactly the same and so are the
backs with the exception of the card numbers. So there is a 1954 Bowman #66 (referred to as #66b) Jimmy Piersall card AND a 1954 Bowman #210 Jimmy
Piersall card. The #66b Piersall card is a bit tougher than #210 and hence, is a bit more valuable. The 1954 Bowman #66b Piersall lists from $18 in VG condition to
$60 in NM, while the #210 Piersall card lists at $10 in VG to $32.50 in NM.
By the way, speaking of valuable, the 1954 Bowman #66 Ted Williams card (referred to as #66a) is easily the most expensive card in the 1954 Bowman set. In fact it
is considered so scarce that price guides consider the 1954 Bowman set complete without the #66a Ted Williams card! The Williams card lists at $550 in VG
condition to $2,500 in NM grade (using my outdated 2006 SCD Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards), while examples graded by reputable grading services bring
even more.
1980's autographed photo of Jim Piersall & Harry Caray at
Old Comisky Park in Chicago
Old Comisky Park in Chicago
Jim Piersall's 100th home run
trot (July 23, 1963)
trot (July 23, 1963)
Jimmy Piersall did not play very long for the New York Mets in 1963, appearing in only 40 games before he was
traded to the Los Angeles Angels. However he sure made good use of his time. Teammate Duke Snider was
finishing up his career with the Mets and had belted his 400th career home run. Piersall announced he would get
more publicity when he hit his 100th home run than Snider did for his 400th. I'm sure Duke thought that PIersall
was "crackers." However on July 23, 1963 at the Polo Grounds, Piersall did just that. After belting his 100th home
run off Dallas Green, Piersall rounded first base and then proceeded to run the rest of the way backwards. Of
course the crowd and press loved it and yes, Jimmy Piersall did get more press than did the Duke. At least that
time.
Piersall only batted .194 for the Mets, but maybe he did that on purpose so he could be traded. I mean, who in
their right mind, would have wanted to play for those early New York Mets teams? The Mets gave Piersall his
release and he signed with the Los Angeles Angels, where he proceeded to bat .308. Jimmy Piersall played his
final 4 seasons with the Halo's and retired in 1967 with a lifetime .272 batting mark, 1604 hits, 256 doubles, 52
triples, 104 HRs, 811 runs, and 591 RBIs. More than the numbers, Piersall is certainly remembered for his
fantastic play in the outfield, and of course his crowd pleasing antics on the field. While certainly not enshrined in
Baseball's Hall of Fame, no doubt most who saw him play remember him and in a way, he IS in some sort of Hall of
Fame. In fact, I bet more people remember Jim Piersall than even some Hall of Famers! A lot of players enshrined
in Coopertown I have never heard of, but I HAVE heard of Jimmy Piersall and I never got to see him play (I was
born in 1963)! Most fans have some story to tell about Jimmy Piersall. Certainly one of the most colorful players in
baseball history!
traded to the Los Angeles Angels. However he sure made good use of his time. Teammate Duke Snider was
finishing up his career with the Mets and had belted his 400th career home run. Piersall announced he would get
more publicity when he hit his 100th home run than Snider did for his 400th. I'm sure Duke thought that PIersall
was "crackers." However on July 23, 1963 at the Polo Grounds, Piersall did just that. After belting his 100th home
run off Dallas Green, Piersall rounded first base and then proceeded to run the rest of the way backwards. Of
course the crowd and press loved it and yes, Jimmy Piersall did get more press than did the Duke. At least that
time.
Piersall only batted .194 for the Mets, but maybe he did that on purpose so he could be traded. I mean, who in
their right mind, would have wanted to play for those early New York Mets teams? The Mets gave Piersall his
release and he signed with the Los Angeles Angels, where he proceeded to bat .308. Jimmy Piersall played his
final 4 seasons with the Halo's and retired in 1967 with a lifetime .272 batting mark, 1604 hits, 256 doubles, 52
triples, 104 HRs, 811 runs, and 591 RBIs. More than the numbers, Piersall is certainly remembered for his
fantastic play in the outfield, and of course his crowd pleasing antics on the field. While certainly not enshrined in
Baseball's Hall of Fame, no doubt most who saw him play remember him and in a way, he IS in some sort of Hall of
Fame. In fact, I bet more people remember Jim Piersall than even some Hall of Famers! A lot of players enshrined
in Coopertown I have never heard of, but I HAVE heard of Jimmy Piersall and I never got to see him play (I was
born in 1963)! Most fans have some story to tell about Jimmy Piersall. Certainly one of the most colorful players in
baseball history!
Trivia Time: On May 23, 1963, the Washington Senators traded Jimmy Piersall to the New York Mets for what player? Hint: He was a famous Dodger first baseman who
should be in the Hall of Fame! Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answer!
should be in the Hall of Fame! Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answer!
Trivia Answer: Gil Hodges, who became Manager of the Senators and later guided the New York Mets to their first World Championship in 1969.
| Jim Piersall Baseball Cards (Bowman, Fleer, Topps) 1951-1967 Click on image for larger picture! |