"Although he has never been a regular starter since coming to the Yankees, Charlie is one of the best catchers in the American League. On any other team he would be the first-string backstop.
Charlie came to New York in 1948 after leading Pacific Coast League catchers in defense two straight years. In '49 he was in 58 games and batted a solid .315, and in 20 games in '52 he hit .327."
-1952 Topps No. 188
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Johnny Sain
"During the winter, Johnny thought he would retire, but when spring training opened he was rarin' to go.
A veteran of 10 years in the majors, he broke in with the Braves and won 20 games four times. His season's high was in 1948 when he led the Boston team to the pennant and topped the National League with 24 victories. In '51 he went to the Yankees and tamed American League batters in '52 to win 11 games."
-1955 Topps No. 193
A veteran of 10 years in the majors, he broke in with the Braves and won 20 games four times. His season's high was in 1948 when he led the Boston team to the pennant and topped the National League with 24 victories. In '51 he went to the Yankees and tamed American League batters in '52 to win 11 games."
-1955 Topps No. 193
Friday, March 22, 2019
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Eddie Robinson
"Eddie, who can power a long ball, got into 85 games for the Yankees in 1954. He had 37 hits and batted in 27 runs.
In August of 1948, while playing for the Cleveland Indians, Eddie tied a major league record by participating in six double plays at first base in one game. In May 1950, while with the Washington Senators, he tied another major league record when he made two unassisted double plays at first base in one game.
Eddie began in organized ball in 1939."
-1955 Bowman No. 153
In August of 1948, while playing for the Cleveland Indians, Eddie tied a major league record by participating in six double plays at first base in one game. In May 1950, while with the Washington Senators, he tied another major league record when he made two unassisted double plays at first base in one game.
Eddie began in organized ball in 1939."
-1955 Bowman No. 153
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Phil Rizzuto
"Little Scooter is one of the best shortstops baseball has known. 1954 was the first really bad season he has had in his many years with the Yankees. He hit .195 for 127 games, 83 points under his major league average up to last season.
In 1950 Phil was the American League's Most Valuable Player. He had a .324 batting average that season. He began in baseball in 1937 and first joined the Yankees in 1941.
Phil holds many fielding records. He's an adept bunter and a popular player with fans and teammates."
-1955 Bowman No. 10
"The Dodgers never thought the kid they turned down because he was 'too small' would develop into a great shortstop. That's exactly what happened to Phil, and his long list of baseball feats proves size has nothing to do with ability.
In his first year as a Yankee hit .307, and his .324 mark in 1950 won him the American League's Most Valuable Player award. Phil has played in eight World Series."
-1955 Topps No. 189
In 1950 Phil was the American League's Most Valuable Player. He had a .324 batting average that season. He began in baseball in 1937 and first joined the Yankees in 1941.
Phil holds many fielding records. He's an adept bunter and a popular player with fans and teammates."
-1955 Bowman No. 10
"The Dodgers never thought the kid they turned down because he was 'too small' would develop into a great shortstop. That's exactly what happened to Phil, and his long list of baseball feats proves size has nothing to do with ability.
In his first year as a Yankee hit .307, and his .324 mark in 1950 won him the American League's Most Valuable Player award. Phil has played in eight World Series."
-1955 Topps No. 189
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Allie Reynolds
"A back injury-marred Allie's effectiveness in 1954, although he still had a 13-6 record for 36 mound appearances. He retired before the start of the 1955 season.
One of baseball's greatest pitchers, Allie was cool and calm on the mound, and deadly sure. Watching him work was a pleasure for baseball fans. He was the type who thought nothing of pitching nine innings one day and then relieving the next day.
Allie holds many records, among them the fact that he pitched two no-hit, no-run games in a season, 1951, and also holds records for his World Series work."
-1955 Bowman No. 201
One of baseball's greatest pitchers, Allie was cool and calm on the mound, and deadly sure. Watching him work was a pleasure for baseball fans. He was the type who thought nothing of pitching nine innings one day and then relieving the next day.
Allie holds many records, among them the fact that he pitched two no-hit, no-run games in a season, 1951, and also holds records for his World Series work."
-1955 Bowman No. 201
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Yankee Farmhands
MIKE BLYZKA (Denver Bears)
"Upon his release from military service, Mike joined the former St. Louis Browns last year. He was slated to come up to the majors originally in 1951 after posting a 13-6 at Wichita in '50.
At Belleville in 1948, his second year in pro ball, Mike had 12 wins and 192 strikeouts. He followed this in '49 with 15 victories and 173 strikeouts for Marshall.
Mike was a pitcher for a semipro team a few years ago. His team was invited to the National Tournament in Wichita. Before major league scouts, Mike pitched a no-hitter and was signed to a White Sox contract."
-1954 Topps No. 152
JIM FRIDLEY (Denver Bears)
"The Indians bought Jim's contract after he enjoyed a good season with Dallas of the Texas League in 1951.
Jim has been in baseball since 1948. He hit an even .300 with Spartanburg of the Tri-State League in '49. The following year saw him compile a .321 mark and bang out 15 homers for Dayton of the Central League. He was up with the Indians in '51 for a short while but didn't see any action."
-1952 Topps No. 399
"Jim split the 1952 season between the Indians and Indianapolis. Strangely enough, he had a higher batting average with the Indians.
He's been playing professionally since 1948 when he broke in with Burlington of the Central Association. Jim hit .300 for Spartanburg of the Tri-State League in '49, .321 for Dayton of the Central League in '50 and .299 for Dallas of the Texas League in '51."
-1953 Topps No. 187
JIM MCDONALD (Denver Bears)
THE MOST EXCITING GAME IN WHICH I'VE PLAYED
by Jim McDonald
"The game was the fifth game of the fifth straight World Championship for the Yankees, against the Dodgers. The Series stood at two games apiece and this was the crucial game. When Jim Turner told me on Friday that I was to start on Sunday I was the happiest person in the world.
It was an exciting game all the way, and but for a ball which took a bad hop in the eighth inning, I'm sure I would have finished. However, that game will always be in my memory."
-1955 Bowman No. 77
JOHNNY PESKY (Denver Bears)
"Good hitter- excellent fielder.
Johnny batted .312 for the Red Sox in 1950 and had 153 hits, including 22 doubles. He scored 112 runs and drove in 49.
He has compiled big league batting averages of .306, .331, .335, .334 and .281. Johnny's 205 hits in his rookie year tied a major league record. He set the pace for base hits in the American League during 1942, 1946 and 1947."
-1951 Bowman No. 15 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)
"Good with the stick- and with the glove, too.
Johnny got into 131 games for the Red Sox during the 1951 campaign. He batted .313, had a total of 150 hits and drove in 41 runs.
He has led the American League in base hits three times and has gone as high as .335 for a season's batting average."
-1952 Bowman No. 45
"Johnny tied a big-league record in 1942 by becoming one of 16 players to get more than 200 hits in his first year. The Red Sox brought him up after he was voted the Most Valuable Player in the American Association in 1941. He led the American League in hits in 1946 and '47 and was the shortstop on the Major League All-Star team in 1942 and '46.
During the war, Johnny served as a Navy Lieutenant."
-1952 Topps No. 15
"Johnny began the 1952 season with the Boston Red Sox, his team since 1942, and after appearing in 25 games for them, he was sent to the Tigers in a trade. He played at second, third and short.
In his first two years of organized ball, Johnny batted .325. As a major league rookie, he hit .331. Last season was only the second in his career during which he hit under .300."
-1953 Bowman No. 134
"Johnny is one of the best fielders and hitters in the game. He was in 103 games for the Tigers during the course of the 1953 season, batting .292. He had 22 doubles, 24 RBIs and 43 runs scored.
He holds some batting and fielding records. He had 205 hits in 1942, his rookie year with the Boston Red Sox, tying a major record for making 200 or more hits in his first year. Johnny was the American Association's Most Valuable Player in 1941 with Louisville."
-1954 Bowman No. 135
"Last season John raised his 1952 batting average by 67 points.
A ten-year man, he came up with Boston in 1942 and hit .331. Returning from three years of military service, he batted .335 in 1946 and .324 in '47. In '49, he led American League third basemen in putouts and assists while hitting .306. After .313 mark in '51 he was traded to Detroit in '52 in a nine-man deal.
As a youngster, John was the clubhouse boy for Portland. He realized his dream by coming to the Red Sox in 1942. A few of his teammates were baseball veterans whose shoes Johnny once shined at Portland."
-1954 Topps No. 63
"Johnny spent 1954 with the Tigers and the Washington Senators. He was in a total of 69 games, 20 of them for the Tigers. He hit .246 and drove in 10 runs.
He has been in baseball since 1940 and in the majors since 1942. He lost the next three seasons to military service.
Johnny set many records, both in hitting and fielding. In 1942 he got 205 hits, tying a major league record by making 200 or more hits as a rookie."
-1955 Bowman No. 241
SNUFFY STIRNWEISS (Binghamton Triplets)
"From 1942 (his first year in the majors) until 1950, Snuffy was with the Yankees. He led the league in batting average and six other departments in 1945.
He began the 1950 season with the New Yorkers, but after seven games he was traded to St. Louis. In 93 games for the Brownies, his batting average for both clubs was .216.
Snuffy was traded from the Browns to the Indians just as this card was going to press."
-1951 Bowman No. 21 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)
"A great football star at the University of North Carolina, Snuffy has been in the majors since 1942, coming up with the Yankees. He holds two big-league records for second basemen- highest fielding percentage (.993) and fewest errors (5)- both set in 1948.
In 1944, Snuffy led the American League in stolen bases (55), runs and hits. In 1945, he led the league in batting (.309), slugging, stolen bases, triples, runs and hits.
Traded to the Browns in 1950, he came to the Indians in 1951."
-1952 Topps No. 217
"Upon his release from military service, Mike joined the former St. Louis Browns last year. He was slated to come up to the majors originally in 1951 after posting a 13-6 at Wichita in '50.
At Belleville in 1948, his second year in pro ball, Mike had 12 wins and 192 strikeouts. He followed this in '49 with 15 victories and 173 strikeouts for Marshall.
Mike was a pitcher for a semipro team a few years ago. His team was invited to the National Tournament in Wichita. Before major league scouts, Mike pitched a no-hitter and was signed to a White Sox contract."
-1954 Topps No. 152
JIM FRIDLEY (Denver Bears)
"The Indians bought Jim's contract after he enjoyed a good season with Dallas of the Texas League in 1951.
Jim has been in baseball since 1948. He hit an even .300 with Spartanburg of the Tri-State League in '49. The following year saw him compile a .321 mark and bang out 15 homers for Dayton of the Central League. He was up with the Indians in '51 for a short while but didn't see any action."
-1952 Topps No. 399
"Jim split the 1952 season between the Indians and Indianapolis. Strangely enough, he had a higher batting average with the Indians.
He's been playing professionally since 1948 when he broke in with Burlington of the Central Association. Jim hit .300 for Spartanburg of the Tri-State League in '49, .321 for Dayton of the Central League in '50 and .299 for Dallas of the Texas League in '51."
-1953 Topps No. 187
JIM MCDONALD (Denver Bears)
THE MOST EXCITING GAME IN WHICH I'VE PLAYED
by Jim McDonald
"The game was the fifth game of the fifth straight World Championship for the Yankees, against the Dodgers. The Series stood at two games apiece and this was the crucial game. When Jim Turner told me on Friday that I was to start on Sunday I was the happiest person in the world.
It was an exciting game all the way, and but for a ball which took a bad hop in the eighth inning, I'm sure I would have finished. However, that game will always be in my memory."
-1955 Bowman No. 77
JOHNNY PESKY (Denver Bears)
"In the majors he has compiled batting averages of .331, .335, .324 and .281. In his rookie year, 1942, he collected 205 hits, tying the major league record for a first full season. He led the American League in base hits in 1942, 1946 and 1947. He was voted the American Association's Most Valuable Player in 1941 when he hit .325 for Louisville."
-1949 Bowman No. 85
"The infield pride of Boston. This fighting shortstop led the Majors in hits in 1947 with 207. His batting average was .324 that year, third highest in the League.
Johnny couldn't match it in '48 but did manage a respectable .281 with 159 hits. His clutch slugging average was .365.
Johnny is a scrapper all the way."
-1949 Leaf No. 121
"Johnny got the third base job when the Red Sox landed shortstop Vern Stephens. And he did all right at a station entirely new to him.
Probably the quality that makes Pesky a highly respected ball player is his spirit. He's a lifter-upper."
1949 MP&Co. No. 121
"Johnny hit .306 in 1949. He slammed 27 doubles and drove in 69 runs.
He has compiled major league averages of .331, .335, .324 and .281. In his rookie year Johnny collected 205 hits, tying a major league record for first-year men. He led the league in base hits in 1942, 1946 and 1947. He was voted the American Association Most Valuable Player in 1941."
-1950 Bowman No. 137
"Good hitter- excellent fielder.
Johnny batted .312 for the Red Sox in 1950 and had 153 hits, including 22 doubles. He scored 112 runs and drove in 49.
He has compiled big league batting averages of .306, .331, .335, .334 and .281. Johnny's 205 hits in his rookie year tied a major league record. He set the pace for base hits in the American League during 1942, 1946 and 1947."
-1951 Bowman No. 15 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)
"Good with the stick- and with the glove, too.
Johnny got into 131 games for the Red Sox during the 1951 campaign. He batted .313, had a total of 150 hits and drove in 41 runs.
He has led the American League in base hits three times and has gone as high as .335 for a season's batting average."
-1952 Bowman No. 45
"Johnny tied a big-league record in 1942 by becoming one of 16 players to get more than 200 hits in his first year. The Red Sox brought him up after he was voted the Most Valuable Player in the American Association in 1941. He led the American League in hits in 1946 and '47 and was the shortstop on the Major League All-Star team in 1942 and '46.
During the war, Johnny served as a Navy Lieutenant."
-1952 Topps No. 15
"Johnny began the 1952 season with the Boston Red Sox, his team since 1942, and after appearing in 25 games for them, he was sent to the Tigers in a trade. He played at second, third and short.
In his first two years of organized ball, Johnny batted .325. As a major league rookie, he hit .331. Last season was only the second in his career during which he hit under .300."
-1953 Bowman No. 134
"Johnny is one of the best fielders and hitters in the game. He was in 103 games for the Tigers during the course of the 1953 season, batting .292. He had 22 doubles, 24 RBIs and 43 runs scored.
He holds some batting and fielding records. He had 205 hits in 1942, his rookie year with the Boston Red Sox, tying a major record for making 200 or more hits in his first year. Johnny was the American Association's Most Valuable Player in 1941 with Louisville."
-1954 Bowman No. 135
"Last season John raised his 1952 batting average by 67 points.
A ten-year man, he came up with Boston in 1942 and hit .331. Returning from three years of military service, he batted .335 in 1946 and .324 in '47. In '49, he led American League third basemen in putouts and assists while hitting .306. After .313 mark in '51 he was traded to Detroit in '52 in a nine-man deal.
As a youngster, John was the clubhouse boy for Portland. He realized his dream by coming to the Red Sox in 1942. A few of his teammates were baseball veterans whose shoes Johnny once shined at Portland."
-1954 Topps No. 63
"Johnny spent 1954 with the Tigers and the Washington Senators. He was in a total of 69 games, 20 of them for the Tigers. He hit .246 and drove in 10 runs.
He has been in baseball since 1940 and in the majors since 1942. He lost the next three seasons to military service.
Johnny set many records, both in hitting and fielding. In 1942 he got 205 hits, tying a major league record by making 200 or more hits as a rookie."
-1955 Bowman No. 241
SNUFFY STIRNWEISS (Binghamton Triplets)
"From 1942 (his first year in the majors) until 1950, Snuffy was with the Yankees. He led the league in batting average and six other departments in 1945.
He began the 1950 season with the New Yorkers, but after seven games he was traded to St. Louis. In 93 games for the Brownies, his batting average for both clubs was .216.
Snuffy was traded from the Browns to the Indians just as this card was going to press."
-1951 Bowman No. 21 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)
"A great football star at the University of North Carolina, Snuffy has been in the majors since 1942, coming up with the Yankees. He holds two big-league records for second basemen- highest fielding percentage (.993) and fewest errors (5)- both set in 1948.
In 1944, Snuffy led the American League in stolen bases (55), runs and hits. In 1945, he led the league in batting (.309), slugging, stolen bases, triples, runs and hits.
Traded to the Browns in 1950, he came to the Indians in 1951."
-1952 Topps No. 217
AARON ROBINSON (Winston-Salem Twins)
"1946 was Aaron Robinson's best year in the majors. Catching 100 games for the New York Yankees, he wound up with a .297 batting average and 64 runs batted in.
The next season with the Yankees he led American League catchers in fielding with a percentage of .997. At the end of the season he was traded to the White Sox. He hit .252 in 98 games with the Chisox last year."
-1949 Bowman No. 133
"Aaron batted .269 in 110 games in 1949 and drove in 56 runs. He is one of the game's better fielding catchers.
He has been in organized baseball since 1937. He came into the majors with the Yankees in 1943 but finished that season with Newark. He spent 1944 in military service and rejoined the Yankees the following season. Aaron was property of the White Sox at one time."
-1950 Bowman No. 95
"In 107 games in 1950, Aaron hit .226 and drove in 37 runs. He hit .269 in 110 games in 1949 and drove in 56 runs.
He's been in organized baseball since 1937. In six seasons in the minors, Aaron was with six different clubs. He first came to the majors with the Yankees in 1943 and finished the season at Newark. He spent 1944 in military service and rejoined the Yankees in 1945.
Aaron was traded to the White Sox for 1948, and to the Tigers for 1949."
-1951 Bowman No. 142 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)
DAVE MADISON (Bristol Twins)
"Dave returned from his second hitch of military service in the Spring of 1952. He was claimed at that time by the Browns from the Yankees and was traded to the Tigers later in the season. The big redhead was used mostly in relief by the two American League clubs, and in his four-year minor league career concentrated entirely on relief pitching, never starting a game.
Dave holds a B.S. in forestry from LSU."
-1953 Topps No. 99
Monday, March 4, 2019
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Irv Noren
My Advice to Youngsters by Irv Noren
"Play as much baseball as possible. Always be ready to take advice. Don't ever think you know it all.
When you are older (around 14 or so) find out definitely what position you want to play. If you decide to become an outfielder, try to learn how to play all fields. This is important as far as getting a break in baseball."
-1955 Bowman No. 63
"Irv had his best major league season in 1954. He was in 125 games for the Yankees, and his .319 batting average tied him for the third highest average in the league. He had 136 hits- these included 12 home runs and he batted in 66 runs.
Irv began in organized baseball in 1946 with Santa Barbara and first came to the majors in 1950 with Washington. He was traded to the Yankees in May of 1952."
-1955 Red Man No. AL-9
"Play as much baseball as possible. Always be ready to take advice. Don't ever think you know it all.
When you are older (around 14 or so) find out definitely what position you want to play. If you decide to become an outfielder, try to learn how to play all fields. This is important as far as getting a break in baseball."
-1955 Bowman No. 63
"Irv had his best major league season in 1954. He was in 125 games for the Yankees, and his .319 batting average tied him for the third highest average in the league. He had 136 hits- these included 12 home runs and he batted in 66 runs.
Irv began in organized baseball in 1946 with Santa Barbara and first came to the majors in 1950 with Washington. He was traded to the Yankees in May of 1952."
-1955 Red Man No. AL-9
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Tom Morgan
"Tom returned to the Yankees in 1954, after losing a season and a half during which he was in the Army. His 32 appearances were just about equally divided between starting and relief appearances. Tom won 11 games and lost 5 and his earned run average was 3.34.
He began in baseball in 1949 with Ventura. The next season he was with Binghamton and finally, in 1951, he was with Kansas City. After appearing in four games for them, the Yankees brought him up- and Tom had a 9-3 record. In 1952, he won 5 and lost 4 for the half-season he played ball."
-1955 Bowman No. 100
He began in baseball in 1949 with Ventura. The next season he was with Binghamton and finally, in 1951, he was with Kansas City. After appearing in four games for them, the Yankees brought him up- and Tom had a 9-3 record. In 1952, he won 5 and lost 4 for the half-season he played ball."
-1955 Bowman No. 100
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