VIRGIL TRUCKS
"The Yankees gave him his release in April."
-1959 Topps No. 417
Virgil can look back proudly over 18 years as a major leaguer. Following a 16-10 mark with a 2.84 ERA in 1943, the right-hander missed all of the 1944 season and almost all of 1945 serving in the Navy. In '45 he returned in time to win the final game of the season to help Detroit edge out Washington in a tight pennant race. Nicknamed "Fire," he evened the World Series with a victory over the Cubs in Game 2 in a Fall Classic later won by the Tigers.
In 1952 Virgil tossed no-hitters against both the Senators and Yankees. In '53 he registered a 20-10, 2.93 performance in a season split between the Browns and White Sox. He was acquired by the Yankees from KC in a four-man swap in June of '58.
MURRY DICKSON
Having come to the majors to stay in 1942, Murray enters his 18th season as a big leaguer even with 1944 and '45 spent in military service. He was acquired by the Yankees from Kansas City last August, having been exclusively a National Leaguer until 1958.
His impressive rise through the Cardinal chain saw Murry go 22-13 with a 3.25 ERA for Houston of the Texas League in 1939; 17-8, 3.33 for the Columbus Redbirds of the American Association in 1940, and concluding his journey through the farms with an impressive 21-11, 3.30 with 22 complete games for a first place Columbus club in 1941.
Murry was a pitching mainstay of the Cardinal pennant winners of 1942, '43 and '46. His 15-6 mark in 1946 gave him a .714 winning percentage, best in the National League, and the 47 games he appeared in were good for second in the circuit.
With a seventh place Pittsburgh team in 1951, Murry amazed with a 20-16 record. Two years later he saved an All-Star Game victory for the senior circuit by pitching the final two innings at Crosley Field. With the Phillies in 1954 and '55, the undersized hurler registered four shutouts each season, both times good for second best in the NL.
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