1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Jim Hegan

Joining the Yankees midway through the 1960 season, Jim rounds out Manager Houk's coaching staff as bullpen coach and catching instructor.

In his recently ended playing career, the former Indian did most of the catching for the Tribe's pennant winners of 1948 and 1954. Jim was highly regarded by such Indian pitching stalwarts as Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn, Mike Garcia and Don Mossi. He was behind the plate for no-hitters from Feller, Lemon and Don Black.

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

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

"At York in 1954 he hit .293 with 101 runs batted in. Bob joined the Orioles during the 1955 season and played great ball.

Bob can play both first base and the outfield."

-1956 Topps No. 231

"Although the 1957 season is still young, Bob has already displayed his great reliability as a pinch hitter and first sacker.

It comes as no surprise since he showed his potential at York in 1954 and '55 when he specialized in extra-base hits. Bob was the top man in the Piedmont Loop in the doubles department in '54."

-1957 Topps No. 406

"Bob compiled the fifth highest batting mark in the American Association last year. His knack for belting doubles won him his league's two-base crown in '58. Bob played 54 games at Indianapolis and 86 games at Louisville last year."

-1959 Topps No. 507

"A former Baltimore Oriole, Bob joins the Cleveland Indians this year. The husky portside swinger can belt the ball for distance and is a specialist in extra-base hits. In 1958 he saw action as a pinch hitter and had seven clutch in 20 at-bats for a neat .350 mark.

Bob started in baseball in 1952 at Pine Bluff. He plays in the winter league after the regular season."

-1960 Topps No. 309

"Bob is extremely capable whenever he gets his hands on a bat. One of the top pinch-hitters in baseball, he is tops in a clutch situation.

Bob led the American Association with 36 doubles in 1958. He started in organized ball as an outfielder."

-1961 Topps No. 532

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Billy Gardner

"Billy appeared in 62 games for the World Champion New York Giants and batted .213. He had a home run among his 23 hits and batted in seven runs.

He is a snappy man in the field. He is a good man to have around, and he should be with the Giants for some time to come."

-1955 Bowman No. 249

"Billy is always on the move because the entire infield is his position. Last season the scrappy infielder was stationed at second, third and shortstop, playing each position with major-league ability.

Always known as a fine fielder, Billy had to work on his batting to join the Giants. In 1953 at Nashville, he found his eye, batted .308, and came up New York."

-1955 Topps No. 27

"Billy played almost every infield position in 1954 and played them well.

A real pepperpot, he hit 22 homers at Sioux City in 1950 and batted .308 at Nashville in '53."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 61

"After 10  years of minor and National League service, Billy got his first taste of the Junior Loop last season- and he liked it. He stepped right into the Oriole lineup as their regular second sacker and stayed there all season, doing an excellent job.

Billy can play any infield position and, if need be, chase flies in the outfield, too. He's the hustling type of ballplayer that Baltimore fans love."

-1957 Topps No. 17

"After years of ups and downs in the Giant farm system, Billy found a home with the Orioles. His average is on the upgrade and his fielding is excellent. He's a tough man for baserunners to 'ride out' of a play.

Billy was voted Outstanding Oriole by Baltimore fans. He was the top fielding second sacker last season."

-1958 Topps No. 105

"Billy's hustle has made him one of the favorites among Baltimore fans. He previously had sported the colors of the New York Giants but was never fully able to hit his true stride until given a chance to play regularly. Last year, he batted .262 for the Orioles in 154 games and never stopped hustling.

Always a superb fielder, this strong-armed shortstop continues to improve and bids fair to become one of the American League's shortstop stars of the future. AL players have nicknamed Billy 'Shotgun' because of his bullet-like throwing arm."

-1958 Hires Root Beer No. 37

"Billy's fine fielding placed him second in putouts, assists and double plays among American League second basemen last year.

While with the Giants, Billy didn't hit his stride and compiled a mediocre .207 batting average in two years. Now in the Junior Circuit, he's boosted his mark and delivers important hits when the chips are down.

He once made 12 putouts in a 16-inning game."

-1959 Topps No. 89

"After a couple of lackluster seasons, Billy came to Baltimore and showed his value. In his first season as an Oriole he led the American League with 36 doubles.

He has a flare for the dramatic. Last April, Billy blasted an 8th-inning triple to beat the Yankees, and in May his 10th-inning homer beat the White Sox 4-2. In '57, Billy established a record for putouts in an extra-inning game with 12."

-1960 Topps No. 106

"Billy had his best RBI year in 1960. He hit a grand slam against Boston last June. He got four hits in two consecutive games last season."

-1961 Topps No. 123

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Whitey Ford

"The ace left-hander of the Yankees sparkled in the last World Series. He pitched two complete game shutouts against the Pirates.

He holds a record with 14 World Series starts. He has twice struck out six in a row."

-1961 Topps No. 160

Whitey Ford, All-Star: American League Left-Handed Pitcher

"The Yankees have always relied on Whitey to win the big games against the big teams. It seems as if the southpaw always does the job, too. Ford was the Yankees' pitching star in the last World Series against the Pirates, blanking them in both of his starts.

Now in his 10th season with the Yanks, the southpaw holds the record for most starts in World Series competition (14). Whitey has never had a losing season since breaking into organized baseball in 1947.

The veteran pitched two consecutive 1-hitters in 1955. In 1956, he struck out six batters in a row against Kansas City. Two years later he duplicated the feat in a game with Chicago.

This year he is off to a great start in his bid for his first 20-victory season."

-1961 Topps No. 586

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Ryne Duren

"The fireballing right-hander was a bullpen sensation for the Yankees in 1958 and 1959, as his microscopic ERA verifies. Ryne was plagued by wildness last year, which hampered his effectiveness.

Ryne was named Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 1958. He pitched 31 2/3 scoreless innings in 1959. In one game, Ryne fanned the first five batters he faced."

-1961 Topps No. 356

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Art Ditmar

"Art led the Yankees in wins in 1960. He finished with the third best ERA in the American League last year.

Art came to the majors with the old Philadelphia Athletics."

-1961 Topps No. 510

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Joe DeMaestri

"In 1958, for the second straight season, DeMaestri was the American League's top fielding shortstop. On July 8, 1955, he went 6-for-6, all singles."

-1959 Topps No. 64

"Joe's value can't be judged by his season totals. Often during a key game, he is called upon for a defensive play that can save the day.

Joe's two RBIs this season both won games. In 1955, he got six hits in six at-bats in one game."

-1961 Topps No. 116