1962 Back-O'-The-Card: Wally Moses

A stalwart of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics, Wally was one of the best fielding outfielders of his era. He batted over .300 for his first seven major league seasons, finishing with a lifetime mark of .291. An excellent baserunner, he led the American League with 35 doubles in 1945 after leading the junior circuit with 12 triples in 1943 (while finishing second with 56 stolen bases).

Acquired by the pennant-winning Red Sox midway through 1946, Wally remained in Boston through Joe McCarthy's close second in '48, finishing his career with the Mackmen.

1962 Back-O'-The-Card: Roger Maris

"The most talked about player of the decade, Roger went into the record books as the only man ever to hit 61 home runs in a season. The famed slugger crashed the history-making homer on the last day of the season into Yankee Stadium's right field stands.

In 1960, Roger hit a home run the first time he batted in a World Series."

-1962 Topps No. 1

 ROGER MARIS, A.L. HOMER KING

"Roger's 61 home runs last season put all of baseball's record books out of date. The slugging right fielder excited the nation as his booming bat tumbled a mark set by Babe Ruth in 1927. Roger was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career. He led the A.L. in RBIs for the second season in succession, with 142."

-1962 Topps No. 401

1962 Back-O'-The-Card: Mickey Mantle

1962 Back-O'-The-Card: Mickey Mantle

"The slugging center fielder of the Yankees was pursuing Babe Ruth's home run record last year, but a misdiagnosed illness halted his drive in September.

Mickey hit .353 and won the Triple Crown in 1956. The following year he upped his average to .365. At Joplin in 1950, Mickey led his league with a .383 batting average."

-1962 Topps No. 200

THE SWITCH HITTER CONNECTS

"The New York Yankees' fabulous switch-hitter was running neck and neck with Roger Maris in the home run race last year when a misdiagnosed illness sidelined him in September. Mickey saw limited duty in the 1961 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds as a result of that misdiagnosed illness."

-1962 Topps No. 318

American League All-Star Mickey Mantle, Outfielder

"The exciting switch-hitter of the Yankees was well ahead of Babe Ruth's home run pace for most of the 1961 season. A misdiagnosed illness curtailed Mickey last September, but he still finished with 54 home runs and a .317 batting average.

The Yankee center fielder had his best season in 1956 when he won the Triple Crown, leading the A.L. with 52 homers, 130 RBIs and a .353 batting mark. Mickey started the 1951 campaign with New York, but after a slow start he was sent to the minors for more seasoning. In 1952, his first complete year with the Yanks, he hit .311.

A homer threat every time he steps up to the plate, Mickey has clubbed 14 home runs in World Series competition. He was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1956 and 1957."

-1962 Topps No. 471

THE MICKEY MANTLE STORY

"Approaching the peak of his career, Mickey has ten years of baseball experience behind him. The outstanding center fielder has emerged as the leader the Yankees have been looking for since the retirement of the fabulous Joe DiMaggio.

Despite his injured condition during portions of the 1961 season, Mickey managed to hit 54 home runs and maintain a .317 batting average. He also captured the league slugging title with a .687 mark. Mantle has led the American League in home runs four times and has a .320 lifetime batting average. To his credit are 14 World Series homers- one less than the immortal Babe Ruth. His great speed makes him one of the league's most feared baserunners. Mickey is also the number one switch-hitter in both leagues.

He is valued as a veteran, as a team man and a leader. Many more fruitful campaigns are ahead for The Mick."

-Auravision Records, 1962

1962 Back-O'-The-Card: Hector Lopez

"Hector has been with the Yankees since 1959 when he was acquired in a deal with Kansas City. The outfielder starred in the '61 World Series, collecting seven RBIs in the four games he played against the Cincinnati Reds.

Hector cracked three homers in a game with Kansas City against Washington in June of '58."

-1962 Topps No. 502