Better Late Than Never: A Rookie Card Two Years After His Last At-Bat
Mickey Mantle’s rookie card is not in the 1952 Topps checklist, but Bob Wellman’s is.
1952 Topps
How Did Eddie Robinson Sit Out a Contest and Still Play More than the Scheduled 154 Games?
Eddie Robinson, a dependable Chicago White Sox first baseman with a terrific eye for the strike zone, appeared in 155 games in the 1952 baseball season. This is remarkable, not because of the durability needed to play every game, but rather because the team was scheduled to play 154 games in their 81-73 season.
Revenge of the Old Timers
A player is told he is too old to play, and then gets replaced by someone the same age. The newcomer proceeds to make the swap look like a genius move.
Baseball Success Starts with Cracker Jacks
Baseball and snacking on Cracker Jacks have been inseparable since a pair of songwriters who had never seen the game wrote Take Me Out to the Ballgame 116 years ago. A different sort of Cracker Jack changed Bob Lemon’s career.
Erv Palica’s Surprising Appearance in 1952 Topps
Almost by sheer force of will, Topps crammed as many hometown Brooklyn Dodgers as possible into the bubble gum maker’s 1952 set.
Backstop Trash Talk
Can it get any better than a trash talking catcher? How about a pitching/catching battery that roast batters?
The Imaginary White Sox Outfielder in ’52 Topps
An optimistic Sy Berger once saw a member of the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league affiliate lead the league in home runs. He promptly assigned him a role with the White Sox in the 1952 checklist.
Sauer, Kiner, and Wrigley’s Tobacco Infused Foliage
The Cubs and Pirates routinely fought for last place despite having batting orders anchored by two of the most prodigious home run hitters in the game’s history.
Walk-Off Triple Play!
You can feel the air leaving the stadium when the first two batters of a visiting team get on base. Optimists don’t mind, as this is only setting the...
A Lethal Cannon For an Arm
Sherry Robertson had a lifetime .230 batting average, struck out in every at-bat of the 1941 season, and may have owed his job to being a relative of Senators’ owner Clark Griffith. He did, however, possess a strong arm.