1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Bobby Richardson

"Bobby joins his Denver teammate Tony Kubek on the Yankee roster this season. Last year at Denver he had the third highest batting mark in the American Association with .328, placing just behind Tony.
Bobby started in baseball in 1953 with Norfolk and advanced to Binghamton for his first full season in '54. That year he batted .310 with 29 doubles and 55 runs batted in. At Denver in '55, Bobby hit .296.
He's a fine fielder both at second base and at shortstop."

-1957 Topps No. 286

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Denver Bears

CURT ROBERTS (Denver Bears)

"Signing with Denver of the Western League in 1951, Curt made his debut in pro ball and proved an all-around ball player with a fine batting eye. Hitting .280 in 1951-52, he had his best batting mark in '53, hitting .281. A top-notch fielder, Curt led the league's second basemen in assists in '53, was tied for first in putouts and ranked second in fielding. He played with Denver through 1953 when he made the grade with the Pirates.

In the winter of 1950-51, Curt played in the Mexican League. He was spotted there by the manager of the Denver team."

-1954 Topps No. 242

"The Pirates took another big step in their rebuilding program when they brought Curt up from Denver. Taking over the regular keystone position, he lived up to his reputation as a top major league prospect.

Curt was discovered playing ball in Mexico in 1950 and signed to play at Denver. In '53 he set a Western League record in assists for a second baseman and hit .291."

-1955 Topps No. 107

"Curt took over the Bucs' keystone sack in 1954 after making a name for himself in the minors. Fast and agile, he had set a Western League mark for second base assists."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 11

"Because of his great year in 1955, Curt rejoins the Pirates this season. He is a fast man and covers plenty of infield ground. In his four minor league seasons, Curt's batting average was .293."

-1956 Topps No. 306

JIM PISONI (Denver Bears)
"Jim is an old fashion 'swing from the heels' batter who made himself right at home in the Kansas City outfield this season. On May 6 Jim became the first Athletic to blast a grand slam home run this year and served notice that he was ready for steady service.
A long ball hitter, Jim poked 20 round-trippers last season for Vancouver while driving in 86 runs. In '55 at San Antonio, he had 26 circuit blows and posted 118 RBIs."

-1957 Topps No. 402


BEN FLOWERS (Denver Bears)
"Formerly the property of the Red Sox, the Tigers acquired Ben during the November draft. He pitched for Louisville in 1954 where he had an 11-12 record and a 3.57 earned run average.
Ben played American Legion ball, then attended Atlantic Christian College and turned pro in 1945 with Roanoke, Va. Bennett won 17 games for Scranton in 1951.
The Tigers like his chances."

-1955 Bowman No. 254

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Steve Souchock (Binghamton Triplets) and Peanuts Lowrey (New Orleans Pelicans)

STEVE SOUCHOCK
"Steve made 91 appearances in 1951, hit .245 and drove in 28 runs. He had 11 home runs, three triples and ten doubles.
He has played both outfield and infield in his career which began in 1939. He first played in the majors for the Yankees in 1946. He was drafted by the Tigers from Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League in November 1950."

-1952 Bowman No. 235

"A product of the Yankees' farm system, Steve came up with the Yanks in 1946 after spending three years in military service. He batted .302 in 46 games, was sent to Kansas City in 1947 and was recalled in '48.
After the '48 season, Steve was traded to the White Sox and hit .234 in 1949. At Sacramento in '50, he batted .291, drove in 99 runs and smacked 30 homers. The Tigers drafted him for '51.
Steve started in pro ball in 1939 and hit .315 at Binghamton in 1942."

-1952 Topps No. 234

"Steve is big and strong and is capable of hitting a long ball. He appeared in 92 games for the 1952 edition of the Detroit Tigers, hitting .249. He also plays first base.
Steve has been in baseball since 1939. He first hit the major leagues in 1946, after three years of military service, with the New York Yankees. He was with the Chicago White Sox in 1949."

-1953 Bowman No. 91

"Big Steve has spent most of his career as a first baseman, but seems to be strictly an outfielder now- although that could change. He was in 89 games for the 1953 edition of the Detroit Tigers and hit .302, had 84 hits and drove in 46 runs.
He's been in pro ball since 1939. Steve began in the Yankee organization and came up through their chain to the parent club in 1946. This was after he left military service. He was in 47 games that year and hit .302.
His nickname is 'Bud.' "

-1954 Bowman No. 103


PEANUTS LOWERY 

"A real hustler and top-notch all-around player, Peanuts has played both infield and outfield in his seven years with the Cubs. A team man all the way and a dependable hitter, he chalked up 128 hits last season out of 435 times at bat for an average of .294.

Peanuts led the Cubs in stolen bases in 1943 and '46."

-1948 Leaf No. 33 

"Last season was one of the best in the majors for Harry. He played in 129 games for the Cubs, batted .294 and drove in 54 runs. Before that, his best season in the majors was his rookie year, 1943, when he hit .292 and knocked in 63 tallies.

He spent the next season in military service and then returned to Chicago for the 1945 season when he hit .283 and batted in 89 runs. He has been in one World's Series and one All-Star Game."

-1949 Bowman No. 22

"Peanuts Lowery played in 38 games for the Chicago Cubs last season, then was traded to Cincinnati. He hit .274 in a total of 127 games. His record included 21 doubles.

His first full season in the majors was 1943. In military service during '44 and back with the Cubs in '45, Peanuts has made one All-Star team and has been in one World Series."

-1950 Bowman No. 172 

"Peanuts was with the Reds and Cardinals in 1950. He got into a total of 108 games, batting .234.
He began in baseball in 1937 and first hit the majors for 27 games with the Chicago Cubs in 1942. He was with them again in 1943, hitting .292 in 130 games.
With one year out for military service, Harry remained with the Cubs until traded to the Reds in June 1949. He's been in one World Series and in one All-Star Game."

-1951 Bowman No. 194 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)

"Peanuts had a good season in 1951. In 114 games, batting .303, he recorded five circuit smashes and drove in 40 runs.
He began in baseball in 1937 and first hit the majors with the Cubs in 1942 for part of the season. Peanuts was traded to the Reds in June 1949 and to the Cardinals in September 1950."

-1952 Bowman No. 102

"Peanuts was the most improved hitter in the National League in 1951, boosting his average 69 points from .234 in 1950. He was also the roughest man in the league to strike out, fanning only 12 times.
Starting in pro ball in 1937, Harry hit .311 at Los Angeles in '41 and got a trial with the Cubs in '42. He returned in '43 to hit .292, and .294 in '48. In 1949 he was traded to the Reds who sent him to the Cardinals in 1950."

-1952 Topps No. 111

"Peanuts had a good season with the Cardinals in 1952. He's one of the most versatile men in the league ... capable of playing the infield or the outfield.
His career dates back to 1937 when he broke in with Moline. He hit .292 for the Cubs in 1943, his first season in the majors. He was traded from the Cubs to the Reds in '49 and was released to the Cardinals in '50.
Harry hit .310 in the 1945 World Series and played in the '46 All-Star Game."

-1953 Topps No. 16

"After a major league trial at the beginning of the 1942 season, Peanuts came up with the Cubs in '43 and has been a big leaguer ever since. He hit .292 in '43 and .294 in '48 for the Cubs and was traded to the Redlegs in '49. The next year, Harry went to the Cardinals and hit .303 in '51.
In pro ball since 1937, he hit .310 in the 1945 World Series.
Pitchers fear Peanuts when he comes up to pinch-hit. And no wonder- he's the best pinch hitter in the majors today. In 1952 he clouted seven straight pinch hits, breaking a record that had stood for 19 years."

-1954 Topps No. 158

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Gil McDougald

"Gil enjoyed a great year in 1956 with his highest batting mark. In the field, he played second, third and shortstop expertly.
Gil's freshman season in 1951 was eventful as he tied a major league record by driving in six runs in one inning. In '52, he led the League's third sackers in double plays and in '55 topped A.L. second sackers in that department."

-1957 Topps No. 200

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Billy Martin

"Billy enjoyed another fine World Series last year collecting eight hits in seven games. His lifetime Series average is now a handsome .333. He holds World Series records for most hits (12), highest batting average (.500) and most total bases (23) in a Fall Classic.
In 1956, Billy hit better in night games than in daylight."

-1957 Topps No. 62

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Yankees' Power Hitters Mantle and Berra

"Probably the most feared power combination in the major leagues, Mickey and Yogi remind Yankee fans of the Murderers Row of Ruth and Gehrig. A perfect illustration of their devastating power was in the 1956 World Series when both sluggers polled three homers. Yogi put two together in the last game of the Fall Classic to bring the Championship flag back to the Stadium.
Mickey is one of the all-time long ball hitters and has dwarfed the feats of other sluggers by blasting fantastic drives. Statisticians have tape measures ready when Mickey steps up. In Washington in '55 he hit a ball they claim is still traveling. Conservative guesses put the ball at a 575-foot distance from home plate. Experts feel that if Ruth's 60-homer mark is to be topped, the muscular Oklahoman will do it."

-1957 Topps No. 407

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Mickey Mantle

"Mickey picked up all the American League batting titles last year. The switch-hitting slugger's clean sweep included highest batting average, most home runs, most runs batted in, most runs scored and [highest slugging average]. Besides that, he was elected the Most Valuable Player by a unanimous vote! Mickey hit 27 homers in New York, 25 on the road."

-1957 Topps No. 95

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Sal Maglie and Mickey McDermott

SAL MAGLIE

"Picked off the Niagara Falls sandlots, Sal has been with the Bisons since. He has a great curve ball, a fine fast one, but lack of control has held him back. If he ever develops control, Sal is certain to be a big winner.

He bats and throws right. He was born in Niagara Falls and still lives in the Cataract City."

-1940 Buffalo Bisons

"Sal was a relief pitcher for the Giants before going to the Mexican League. Reinstated last season, and again slated for relief duty, he was made a starter after the season was under way. He wound up with an 18-4 record for a .818 percentage, best in the League, and an earned run average of 2.71- the League's second best. Sal had an 11-game winning streak. He pitched four successive shutouts and had five in all."

-1951 Bowman (Bowman Gum, Inc.) No. 127

"Sal had a brilliant record in 1951. The winner in 23 contests- the loser in only six- he compiled an earned run average of 2.93, second best in the league.
He was one of the players who went to the Mexican League. Since his reinstatement, Sal has won 41 games for the Polo Grounders against 10 losses."

-1952 Bowman No. 66

"Sal has been back with the Giants for two seasons after skipping to the Mexican League after the 1945 season, and in that time has won 41 games and lost only 10. Prior to that he had a 5-4 record for the Giants.
Sal tied for the most wins in the league in 1951 with 23, against six losses. His earned run average of 2.93 was the league's second best. The preceding season he had a .818 percentage, tops in the league."

-1952 Red Man No. NL-14

"Sal pitched part of one season with the Giants, then jumped to the Mexican League, returning to organized baseball for the 1950 season. Since his return he has won 59 games and lost 18.
His 23 wins in 1951 tied him for the most wins in the league and aided the Giants' pennant cause immeasurably. In 1950 his 18-4 record gave Sal a .818 percentage, the best in the league."

-1953 Bowman No. 96

"Sal has been a great pitcher for the Giants since he was reinstated in organized baseball after his Mexican League jump. He had a mediocre 5-4 major league record before he went to Mexico, but in the three seasons since he has returned he has won 59 games and lost 18.
His 1952 record was18-8. His 23 wins in 1951 tied him with teammate Larry Jansen for most in the league."

-1953 Red Man No. NL-8

"Sal is known as the 'Barber' and he really shaves them close on the mound. He's one of the calmest it is possible to find on any mound.
1953 wasn't a good season for Sal. He had an injured back, and in trying to favor it as he pitched, he hurt his shoulder. However, over the years he has been the mainstay of the Giants' staff. He has an easy time beating the Dodgers, which delights the hearts of Polo Grounders."

-1954 Bowman No. 105

"Sal is one of the coolest customers in baseball and one of the toughest pitchers to beat. He's called the 'Barber,' and he can shave them close.
Sal was in 34 games for the 1954 World Champions, and he won 14 and lost 6 for a .700 percentage. He pitched 218 innings and gave up 222 hits. He walked 70 and struck out 117 [1.34 WHIP]. His earned run average was a good 3.26.
A relief pitcher with the Giants in 1945, Sal pitched in the Mexican League from 1946 to 1949 and returned in 1950 to win 18 and lose only 4 for New York. He had a 23-6 record in 1951."

-1955 Bowman No. 95

"After a disappointing season in 1953, during which Sal was hampered by a bad back and a record of 8-9, he regained his form in 1954, and the Barber's work helped the Giants to a pennant. He won 14, lost 6 and had an earned run average of 3.26.
He has 'ice water' in his veins and is a tough customer on the mound, as the Giants' opponents have found."

-1955 Red Man No. NL-6

"Considered a 'washed-up' old man, Sal wrote the greatest comeback story in baseball last year. Cast off by Cleveland, he joined the Dodgers, pitched a no-hitter and finished the season with the fourth best E.R.A.
It was Sal who came through to clinch the pennant. He also beat the Yankees in the first game of the World Series."

-1957 Topps No. 5

MICKEY MCDERMOTT

"When Mickey was traded to the Athletics by the Yankees, it brightened K.C.'s mound prospects. The hard-flinging portsider has shown brilliant form in his eight-year career.

The A's hope he'll help them climb a few notches in the standings. Oddly enough, the team that Mickey has been most effective against is- the A's."

-1957 Topps No. 318

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Don Larsen

"Don pitched the greatest game in baseball history during the 1956 World Series. In the fifth game, he took the mound and hurled nine perfect innings- nobody reached first base- 27 men up, 27 men down. It was the only no-hitter in Series play and the first perfect game since 1922.
In the regular season, Don placed seventh in earned run average and fifth in won-lost percentage."

-1957 Topps No. 175

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Johnny Kucks

"The Yankees first discovered Johnny at their spring training base in 1954. Still a minor league player, he was so brilliant in inter-squad games that he stayed on the team for the entire season. Last year, he really began rolling, finishing seventh in the League in E.R.A. and posting the second highest Yankee victory total. He beat Cleveland four times and won the final game of the World Series with a 3-hitter."

-1957 Topps No. 185

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Tony Kubek

"The only problem that Tony presents to the Yankee high command is where to play him. Originally an infielder, he showed such great ability when Casey Stengel tried him out in the outfield that he's ready to play both positions.
Despite his brief minor league career, Tony has created tremendous attention. At Quincy in 1955 he led his league in hits and last year placed second in the American Association in batting."

-1957 Topps No. 312

1957 Back-O'-The-Card: Charlie Keller

Former slugging stalwart Charlie Keller returns to the Yankees as the new first base coach. The five-time All-Star batted .306 with five home runs in four World Series.
After being named 1937 Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, Charlie broke into the majors in '39 with one of the finest rookie seasons ever registered by a Bomber freshman. His .334 batting average, with 11 homers and 83 RBIs in 111 games, was capped by a stellar World Series performance, with the young man batting .438 with three home runs in New York's four-game sweep of Cincinnati. Charlie's 33 homers, 122 RBIs, 24 doubles and 10 triples in 1941 were followed by a 1942 season in which, for the third straight year,  he both scored 100 runs and drew 100 walks.
Following service in U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II, Charlie returned to civilian life with 29 doubles, 10 triples and 30 round-trippers in 1946.