1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Hal Reniff (1961 Rookie Card)

Although somewhat unusual for a young pitcher to be trained as a relief specialist, this 21-year-old was 4-2 at AAA Richmond in 23 games this year, with only one starting assignment before being summoned to New York in early June.

Hal became a top Yankee pitching prospect at Modesto of the California League in 1959 with a 21-7 record with a 3.19 ERA and 143 strikeouts. He followed that in '60 with a 10-6 mark at Class A Binghamton with a 2.65 ERA and 137 strikeouts.

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Jack Reed (1961 Rookie Card)

When either Mickey Mantle or Roger Maris needs a day off, this outfielder out of Ole Miss has both the speed and throwing arm to be a reliable substitute. Also able to contribute with the bat, Jack hit .309 with 19 homers and 79 RBIs for New Orleans of the Southern Association in 1958.

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Wally Moses

"This is Wally's 17th season in the major leagues. He came into the big time with the A's in 1935 after four years in the minors. He remained with Philadelphia through the 1941 campaign.

With the White Sox from 1942 to July 1946, it was in 1943 that Wally led the American League in stolen bases with 56. He went to the Red Sox in 1946. Back to the A's in 1949, Wally hit .264 in 88 games in 1950."

-1951 Bowman No. 261 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)

"Wally ended a long playing career in 1951 with the Athletics, then spent the 1952 season as a coach for them. His career began in 1931.

It was 1935 when he first hit the major leagues with the Athletics and he remained with them through the 1941 season before being traded to the Chicago White Sox. The Chisox sold him to the Boston Red Sox in 1946 and Wally later signed with the A's.

He batted over .300 for his first seven major league seasons."

-1953 Bowman No. 95

"Wally has had a long and distinguished career in baseball. He was one of the best fielding outfielders around, and his lifetime major league batting average was .291.

He began in 1931 and first came to the majors in 1935 with the Philadelphia A's. He hit .325 that year and hit .300 or better every year until 1942- he was with the White Sox that year. Then he played with the Red Sox, then was back with the A's from 1949 to 1951."

-1955 Bowman No. 294

"One of baseball's great players was Wally Moses. Playing the outfield for the Athletics from 1935 through 1941, he hit over .300 each season. He was with the White Sox from 1942 until 1946 and led the American League in triples in 1943 and doubles in 1945. With the Red Sox in 1946, Wally hit a resounding .417 in the World Series. He finished his 17-year major league career with the A's with a fine .291 career batting mark."

-1960 Topps No. 459

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Danny McDevitt

"Danny became a popular player in his first year with the Dodgers last year. Though his minor league average was unimpressive, he solidified the Dodger pitching staff and contributed two shutouts to their total of 18.

Danny broke into the majors last year by winning his first game. Batters have to hit tricky pitches when he hurls."

-1958 Topps No. 357

"Danny could be a big help to the Dodgers this year. He has good stuff and once he curbs his wildness, he will be a full-fledged big leaguer.

In his first major league game, Danny struck out 11 Redlegs."

1959 Topps No. 364

1959 Season's Highlights

May 3: Beats Reds, 10-1, yielding no walks.

May 12: Deals out only five hits to stop Phillies, 3-1.

May 31: Relieves for three innings, strikes out five Cardinals to get 5-3 victory.

June 17: Shuts out Braves with 2-hitter.

July 2: Posts fifth straight win with 4-0 whitewash of Cardinals.

September 17: Halts Reds, 4-3, on six hits.

"Danny attended St. Bonaventure College."

-1960 Topps No. 333

"McDevitt is a good spot pitcher who has done the Dodgers a lot of good. He has been Dodger property for many years and finally got to show his big-league talents in 1957 while the team was still in Brooklyn.

Before that he pitched for Dodger clubs at Greenwood, Elmira, Macon, Cedar Rapids, Montreal and St. Paul. In addition to those he put in time in Amsterdam, N.Y., and LaGrange, Ga., in 1951, his first year in baseball. His best season was a 12-12 record at Greenwood in the old Cotton States League. For the 1959 Dodgers, he started 22 games and finished six."

-1960 Leaf No. 50

"Danny was tough on opposing left-handed batters in 1959, holding them to a .204 batting average. He is one of the outstanding 'stuff' pitchers in the league.

A former Yankee farmhand, Danny needs only good control to become a Dodger star."

-1960 Bell Brands No. 3

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Roger Maris

"Roger had a tremendous season with the New York Yankees. During the 1960 World Series he hit two homers against Pittsburgh. Roger was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League for 1960."

-1961 Topps No. 2

American League Sporting News All-Star Roger Maris, RF

"Roger has only been patrolling the right field area for little more than a year, but he's established as a real favorite with the fans. Obtained in a big trade with Kansas City, Maris tore through the American League last season winning the Most Valuable Player award. An injury slowed down Roger near the tail-end of the 1960 season and shaved points off his average. However, the right fielder still had a .283 mark to boast about, along with 39 homers and 112 RBIs.

Teammate Mickey Mantle beat Roger out of the homer crown on the last day of the season. Maris topped the year off in October with two home runs in his first World Series."

-1961 Topps No. 576

AMERICAN LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 1960

"Roger's bat was an instrument to opposing hitters as he finished second in the American League in homers (39). He was the RBI champ last year as he knocked in 112."

-1961 Topps No. 478

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Mickey Mantle

"Mickey has won the American League home run title four times. He batted .400 in the 1960 World Series."

-1961 Topps No. 300

American League Sporting News All-Star Mickey Mantle, CF

"The switch-hitting power hitter of the New York Yankees has been named to the American League All-Star squad for nine consecutive years. Considered by many the most exciting major leaguer in the game, Mickey won the Triple Crown in 1956. Slamming 52 home runs, knocking in 130 runs and batting at a .353 clip, Mantle walked off with the Most Valuable Player award that year.

At Joplin in 1950 he drew rave reports from sportswriters, winning the batting title with a .383 average. Having broken in with the Yankees when he was just 19, Mickey is a 10-year veteran of the club. The center fielder is rated one of the fastest men in baseball when his legs aren't bothering him."

-1961 Topps No. 578

MANTLE BLASTS 565 FT. HOME RUN (Topps Baseball Thrills Extra)

Washington, D.C., April 17, 1953 "Mickey Mantle displayed more of his formidable power this afternoon. He slammed into a pitch delivered by Senators pitcher Chuck Stobbs and slammed the ball soaring 565 feet. Sportswriters all seemed to agree that this was the longest ball ever hit at Griffith Stadium.

The clout soared out of the park and landed two blocks away. The switch-hitter was batting righty against southpaw Stobbs."

-1961 Topps No. 406

AMERICAN LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 1956-57

"The switch-hitting center-fielder of the Yankees walked off with M.V.P. honors as he hit .353 and .365 respectively. In '56 he led the American League with 52 homers and 130 RBIs."

-1961 Topps No. 475

1961 Back-O'-The-Card: Duke Maas

"Duke was drafted from New York by the Los Angeles Angels last winter. The Yankees reacquired him in a trade before Opening Day. Duke pitched in the 1958 World Series.

He became the father of twins during the winter. Duke is a fine bowler."

-1961 Topps No. 387