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.
1993 Finest: When the Orioles Selected Big Ben First in the Draft
His selection as the first pick in the 1989 Draft was still fresh in collectors’ minds four years later.
Tom Henke Became A Major League Pitcher to Get Free Beer
That’s right, Tom Henke wouldn’t have become a professional ballplayer if it hadn’t been for friends promising to buy him beers if he tried out in front of major league scouts. The Texas Rangers liked what they saw in the 6’5″ bespectacled pitcher and picked him in the 1980 draft.
Iowa Cornfields Contain Very Good Baseball Players
The best fastball pitcher prior to the arrival of Nolan Ryan quite literally stepped out of a cornfield and onto the diamond.