What’s Better Than a 5th Grade Teacher? One That Played for the Mariners
The winning pitcher of Nolan Ryan’s final game now teaches elementary school. He also appears on an alarmingly green refractor card.
The winning pitcher of Nolan Ryan’s final game now teaches elementary school. He also appears on an alarmingly green refractor card.
Phil Masi appears in the 1952 Topps set in his final card as a player. His stats show a solidly average major-leaguer and he carried a reputation as an excellent catcher and battery mate. Unusually fast for a catcher, he was used on occasion as a pinch runner. I imagine young Indians fans cursing under their breath as they pulled a Masi card from a pack while Braves fans smirked under similar circumstances. Why would the card of the White Sox backstop engender such a reaction?
There was a brief period in baseball history where Bryan Harvey ruled the bullpen.
Merl Combs made his first (and final) baseball card appearance as a player in the 1952 Topps set.
What happened when an independent minor league team showed up to grab players at the MLB Amateur Draft?
The Braves’ Big-4 were almost the Big-5. Then came the expansion draft.
As often obliging signer of autographs, Zarilla knew collectors appreciated his penmanship on their cards. He was flummoxed when the owner of a an exceptionally high grade card did not want his signature added to it.
Monty Basgall’s first card rolled off the printing presses already containing his lifetime baseball statistics.