Can’t Hit? Not a Problem in a No-Hitter
There is a reason why Topps placed the cards of Johnny Lipon and Bob Feller next to each other in the 1952 checklist.
1952 Topps Profile
Willard Marshall’s Record Can’t Be Broken
It’s hard to beat a perfect record, even if 124 others have tied it.
An Extra Man on the Roster and the First Victim of the Curse of the Billy Goat
Postseason rosters are locked well in advance of the World Series. The sport made an exception for a single at-bat in 1945, the same series in which the Curse of the Billy Goat made itself felt.
The Poor Man’s Gil Hodges
Gil Hodges and Hank Bauer had almost identical careers. Also, Hank intimidated the crap out of me when I met him as a kid.
Catcher v. Catcher
Ed Fitz Gerald may be the only catcher to hit a home run off another catcher.
First Came Hercules, Then Came Socrates, Then Came Chakales, The Greatest Greek of All
Chick Chakales had a great line that he used to introduce himself.
The Pickle Guy
Lots of athletes supplement their income with sales jobs in the offseason. This one sold pickles.
Captain Bob
One of the briefest careers captured in 1952 Topps ended with a whole lot of seafood.