79 Percent. That’s the rate at which Pete Runnels’ hits ended with him stopping at first base. One would be hard pressed to find a player that better defines the category of “singles hitter.” Pete just wasn’t a power hitter and slotted nicely into the second spot of batting orders. He was always able to hit for average and boosted his production when Ted Williams worked with him on his batting in the late 1950s. Runnels won two batting titles with the Red Sox. The first of these stands out for just how much his totals were affected by hitting singles and batting so early in the lineup: He had a total of just 35 RBIs while batting .320.
Topps grabbed most of its 1952 photographs at Spring Training and team practice events. The trees and outbuildings in the background the card shown above look nothing like the Senators’ Griffith Stadium. As the second card in the set, it is difficult to find in top condition due to the same factors that doomed so many Andy Pafko cards. The scuffs on Runnels’ chin and hat attest to my card having been exposed to the elements. This card, however, does not exhibit the Pafko Effect and was obtained easily without damaging my wallet.
Runnels’ Most Sought After Card is Also #2
Unlike most other players, Runnels’ most popular piece of cardboard might not be his rookie card, though it shares the same number in the checklist. Card #2 in the 1963 Topps set highlights the preceding season’s batting leaders. Runnels is featured prominently in the center of the card with the back touting his league-best .326 batting average. The floating head in the upper left belongs to Mickey Mantle and drives demand for this card.
Runnels’ .326 batting average would have led the American League by 7 points in 2021.
