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.
CardBoredom
Phil Masi Left Behind a Confession
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?
One of Baseball’s Best Closers Played Less Than 400 Innings
There was a brief period in baseball history where Bryan Harvey ruled the bullpen.
A Light Hitting Infielder Became a Soda Vendor
Merl Combs made his first (and final) baseball card appearance as a player in the 1952 Topps set.
Mike Lansing: Giving ’93 Finest a Second Miami Team
What happened when an independent minor league team showed up to grab players at the MLB Amateur Draft?
Revisiting ’93 Finest: David Nied
The Braves’ Big-4 were almost the Big-5. Then came the expansion draft.
1952 Topps: Zeke Zarilla and an Autograph Story
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.
1952 Topps: Monty Basgall, the Mendoza Line, and One Odd Rookie Card
Monty Basgall’s first card rolled off the printing presses already containing his lifetime baseball statistics.