Sunday, August 20, 2023

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Tex Clevenger

"Tex received the S.O.S. 43 times to come a runnin' in from the National's bullpen in 1957. He used his whistling fastball to put out plenty of fires.
Tex is a graduate of Fresno State College. He broke in with a 16-2 mark and 1.51 ERA at San Jose in 1953. He's also an orange farmer in California."

-1958 Topps No. 31

"In the minors, Tex was strictly a starting pitcher. With the Senators, he was put into bullpen service and has made good. Tex has good control, a whipping fastball and is stingy with bases on balls.
Tex attended Fresno State College before turning pro. When he broke into baseball, he led the California League with a 1.51 ERA."

-1959 Topps No. 298

1959 Season Highlights
August 5: Tex snaps Washington's 18-game losing streak with a 7-hit shutout over Indians. He strikes eight.
August 30: Saves game for Russ Kemmerer with four innings of relief against Yankees.
September 14: Pitches his second complete game of the season against Detroit, 5-0. It is also his second shutout.

-1960 Topps No. 392

"In 1958, Tex worked in 55 games- the most for American League pitchers."

-1960 Topps No. 392

"Tex led the California League in ERA (1.51) in 1953. He led American League pitchers in appearances (55) in 1958. Tex was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels last winter."

-1961 Topps No. 291

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Bob Cerv

"The Yankees thought they had lost Bob when he was drafted by the Angels last winter. But this season a quick trade brought him back.
Bob pinch-hit a home run in the 1955 World Series. He holds the Kansas City A's single-season record with 38 homers."

-1961 Topps No. 563

Sunday, August 6, 2023

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Fritz Brickell (1961 Rookie Card)

"A pint-size fielder, Fritz is back for another crack at a job with the Yankees this summer. He's a great glove man.
Fritz's dad was a big leaguer in that National League. Fritz is the smallest man on the Yankees."

-1961 Topps No. 333

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Clete Boyer

"Clete starred at third for the Yankees in 1960. His brother Ken is a National League star. Clete got three hits in the 1960 World Series against Pittsburgh."

-1961 Topps No. 19

1962 Back-O'-The-Card: 1961 World Series Game 5

YANKS CRUSH REDS IN FINALE "With Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra out of the lineup, Yankee reserves came off the bench to help batter the ...