1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Bob Martyn (Richmond Virginians) and Jack Urban (Richmond Virginians)

BOB MARTYN

"Bob had a spectacular minor league career before coming to the majors. He posted a hot .317 batting average in four minor league seasons.
At Boise in 1952, he hit a cool .341 and in 1955 posted a .318 for Birmingham. Bob's 1956 mark was .314 at Denver.
Bob studied family relations in college."

-1958 Topps No. 39

"Bob saw part-time service in the A's outfield last season. He was called on to pinch-hit a number of times and collected seven clutch safeties. But those seven hits accounted for four important runs. In the field, Bob can really fly after long hit balls.
Bob holds a degree in sociology."

-1959 Topps No. 41

JACK URBAN 

"After winning 23 games in his second season of pro ball, Jack moved up to Quincy of the Three-Eye League. There he was the leader in victories with 17. After three more seasons in the minors, Jack was purchased by the A's. He was a strikeout leader three times in the minors.

Jack won a combined five games against the Tigers and Senators last season without a loss."

-1958 Topps No. 367

"Jack fell victim to the sophomore jinx after his brilliant freshman campaign of 1957. This year he figures to have his best season."

-1959 Topps No. 18

1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Mickey Mantle

"Mickey was American League homer king for the third time last season. In the '58 World Series he poled a pair of round-trippers in the second game.
In the 1953 World Series, Mickey hit a grand slam. He was M.V.P. in 1956 and 1957."

-1959 Topps No. 10

MANTLE HITS 42ND HOMER FOR CROWN
"Mickey Mantle climaxed a season long home run duel with Rocky Colavito by blasting his 42nd homer and winning the American League crown for the third time in his career. Never before had Mickey been followed so doggedly in his try for the championship.
In 1956 when he poled 52 homers and came close to threatening Babe Ruth's great record, he had 20 more homers than runner-up Vic Wertz. His 1955 crown was secured by a margin of seven homers over the nearest contender, Gus Zernial who belted 30 round-trippers.
Last season 19 of Mickey's homers were hit in night games and he poled a goodly share both righty and swinging from the portside. Some of the Mick's home run shots have astounded experts who came to the ball park armed with a tape measure."

-1959 Topps No. 461

'59 ALL-STAR SELECTION
"Mickey is the best switch-hitter of all time- he is the 'tape measure' champion of modern sluggers."

-1959 Topps No. 564

1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Duke Maas

"Joining the Yankees helped Duke to his finest season and his first winning year. He posted a 4-5 won-lost mark at Kansas City and a 7-3 record for New York.
In 1954 at Wilkes-Barre, Duke had the top winning percentage in the Eastern League."

-1959 Topps No. 167

1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Jerry Lumpe and Tommy Carroll

JERRY LUMPE

"Although Jerry is listed as a third baseman, he can fill in handsomely at shortstop. In the 1958 World Series he performed at both positions and played errorless ball. Jerry is co-holder of the record for double plays for shortstops- five in one game."

-1959 Topps No. 272

TOMMY CARROLL

"Tommy had the problem of many of the Bonus Babies. He was signed to an attractive contract by the Yankees in 1955 and because of the old bonus rule, had to stay with New York for two years before he could go to the minors for seasoning. At Richmond in 1957, he started to make up for the two years of bench sitting and showed strong hitting ability.

Tommy was a star at Notre Dame."

-1959 Topps No. 513

1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Hector Lopez

"Hector's hustle and ability have won him great popularity in Kansas City. He had the second best batting average on the A's in 1955. Hector was also chosen for the All-Star Rookie Team."

-1956 Topps No. 16

"Hector scored more runs than any other Athletic in 1956. He also led his mates in doubles and placed second in home runs. A real hustler, Hec was called on to play 20 games in the outfield.

After breaking in in 1951, Hector led the Provincial League in runs in '52 and the following year topped the Eastern League in fielding."

-1957 Topps No. 6

"Hector enjoyed his best year in 1957 and came close to breaking through the .300 barrier. He joined the A's in 1955 after four seasons in the minors including stops in St. Hyacinthe, Williamsport, Ottawa and Columbus.

Hec can also play fine defensive ball as an outfielder. He was a track star in his native Panama."

-1958 Topps No. 155

"Hector was a busy guy around the A's infield last year. He played 55 games at third base and 96 at second. He has played every position except pitcher and catcher.
Pitchers know that Hec is one of the toughest men to fool at the plate, and registering a strikeout is a major victory."

-1959 Topps No. 402

1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Don Larsen

"Because of arm trouble, Don saw no action from August until Series time when he won the 3rd Game. In 1956, Don pitched a perfect game in the World Series."

-1959 Topps No. 205

"Don Larsen is an example of a Stengel-inspired player. With Baltimore in 1954 he lost more games than any other hurler in the American League. Yet two years later Don pitched a perfect no-hit game in the World Series."

-1959 Topps No. 383

1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Johnny Kucks

"It seems hard to believe that such an established star as Johnny has been in baseball for only four years. He got his break when he reported for spring training in 1955 and showed such great ability that the Yankees put him on their roster. In 1956, Johnny had a 0.82 ERA in the World Series.
Johnny has more than justified the New Yorkers' confidence."

-1959 Topps No. 289

1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Tony Kubek

"Tony spent the winter with Uncle Sam in the six-month Army program. Now he's ready for another fine season. He was Rookie of the Year in 1957.
Tony has a perfect double-play motion and last year placed second for twin killing honors. In addition to his shortstop chores, he can fill in at third and haul in fly balls in the outfield."

-1959 Topps No. 505