1954 Back-O'-The-Card: Whitey Ford

"After two years in military service, Whitey came back in 1953 to be the top winner on the Yankees' staff with 18. He lost six and his earned run average was an even 3.00, the fourth best in the league. Whitey defeated the Indians four times, once losing a no-hitter on a dribbler down the third base line.
After burning up the Yankee farm system, Whitey joined the Yankees midway through the 1950 campaign, and his pitching was instrumental in their winning the pennant."

1954 Bowman No. 177

"Whitey returned from two years in the Army last season and picked up right where he left off. The 1950 Rookie of the Year was the fourth-ranking American League hurler in earned run average and paced the Yankee mound staff in wins, strikeouts and complete games (11). Among Whitey's wins were three shutouts, a 1-hitter and a 2-hitter.
In 1949 with Kansas City, Whitey phoned the Yanks. He said he could help win the pennant. They laughed and said, 'No thanks.' But one year later, Whitey helped them do just that by winning nine out of ten games as a Yankee."

-1954 Topps No. 37

"Whitey returned to the Yankees in 1953 from the Army, and his steady work on the mound was a big factor in the Yankees' fifth straight pennant victory. Ed appeared in 23 games, winning 18 and losing six. His earned run average of 3.00 was the fourth best in the league, and his percentage rating of .750 was second best."

-1954 Red Man No. AL-16

1954 Back-O'-The-Card: Joe Collins

"Joe broke his 1952 World Series jinx in 1953 with a homer against Brooklyn in the first game.
Coming to the Yankees in 1949 after hitting .319 and belting 20 homers for Kansas City, Joe shifted between the outfield and first base until '52. In 1951 he hit .286 and in '52 he poled 18 homers while batting .280.
Joe has been in pro ball since 1939. In 1942 the Yanks had a 'pushover' exhibition game with Amsterdam [Yankees' Class C farm club]. A young player upset the Yanks. He hit a tremendous homer! His name? Joe Collins, the Yankees' present first sacker."

-1954 Topps No. 83

1954 Back-O'-The-Card: Jerry Coleman

"Jerry is a modest hero. He returned to the Yankees for the final month of the 1953 campaign after military service as a captain in the Marine Air Corps in Korea. As a bomber pilot, Jerry has over 100 missions to his credit in World War II and the Korean conflict.
He's a great fielder and can pivot on the double play in expert fashion. Jerry won the Babe Ruth Award in 1950 as the top performer in the World Series."

-1954 Bowman No. 81

1954 Back-O'-The-Card: Andy Carey

"Although Andy saw limited action as a utility man in 1953, he had the highest batting mark (.321) on the Yankees and led the team in slugging (.531).
He came from the St. Mary's College campus to Kansas City in 1951 to hit .288. Andy hit .284 the next year and the Yanks gave him a brief trial in mid-season. He returned in '53 to make the grade.
Last season Andy proved to be a top Yankee and was the biggest eater on the club- a leader at the PLATE both on and off the diamond."

-1954 Topps No. 105