Al Sima snuck into the 1952 Topps set. He had already played pro ball for a decade, but had spent all but 2 seasons in the minors or Navy. With 35 games under his belt it looked like he was ready to join the Senators for another year, but it was not to be. Sima went back to the minors in Chattaooga for another year (and a 24-9 record) before returning for the ’53 and ’54 seasons. With batters hitting .277 against him he was traded from the White Sox to the Philadelphia Athletics in his final season. He grabbed a minor footnote in Athletics history by being the final pitcher to take the mound in the team’s Philadelphia ballpark at the end of the season.
The comics on the back of his 1954 Topps card points out that he has athletic skills that translate into other sports. He was apparently a talented bowler, a sport that gained a significant following among pro-baseball players. He was also one of several champion amateur boxers appearing in the ’52 Topps set after having gained a 175-lb. title.
1952 Topps Card #93
Many of the ’52 Topps cards have colorized portraits with ballparks printed in muted sepia tones. This one has an almost green appearance. The color reminds me of an accountant’s green eyeshade, something that looks like it could pair well with Sima’s round-frame glasses. Perhaps he found his calling with the combination of sports and numbers after leaving baseball. After leaving the sport he became a betting clerk at a New Jersey horse track.
Stupid fact of the day: “Salami” is an anagram of Al Sima.
