"Frank became the Yankees' first bonus player when he signed late in 1953. A standout performer in American Legion baseball, he had offers from 14 clubs before deciding on the Yankees.
Last season he traveled with the New Yorkers and although he didn't see much action he picked up many 'tricks of the trade.' Frank is tabbed for future stardom."
-1955 Topps No. 99
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Monday, February 4, 2019
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Don Larsen
"Don wasn't carried on the St. Louis Browns roster in the spring of 1953, but by the end of the season had pitched in 38 games, winning 7 and losing 12, a record that could have been reversed with a better hitting team behind him. He started 22 games, pitched 193 innings, and gave up 201 hits. Don faced 752 batters, walked 64 men [1.38 WHIP] and struck out 96, and his earned run average was 4.15.
He's considered a bright prospect."
-1954 Bowman No. 101
"Big Don, who has two years as a major leaguer, will be a Yankee in 1955 as a result of a big winter deal between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
With Baltimore in 1954, Don got into 29 games, winning 3 and losing 21. It is safe to say he would have won more games with a better hitting team behind him. He was in 38 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1953, winning 7 and losing 12.
Don began in baseball in 1947. In 1953, he had seven consecutive hits, establishing a major league record for a pitcher."
-1955 Bowman No. 67
He's considered a bright prospect."
-1954 Bowman No. 101
"Big Don, who has two years as a major leaguer, will be a Yankee in 1955 as a result of a big winter deal between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
With Baltimore in 1954, Don got into 29 games, winning 3 and losing 21. It is safe to say he would have won more games with a better hitting team behind him. He was in 38 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1953, winning 7 and losing 12.
Don began in baseball in 1947. In 1953, he had seven consecutive hits, establishing a major league record for a pitcher."
-1955 Bowman No. 67
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Steve Kraly and Lou Sleater
STEVE KRALY
"Up for another chance at a Yankee starting assignment, Steve has all the talent to become an American League star. He joined the Yankees late in the 1953 season after a great year at Binghamton where he won 19 games while losing only 2, with a 2.08 ERA and 139 strikeouts.
Steve starred in high school and American Legion baseball before entering pro ball."
-1955 Topps No. 139
LOU SLEATER
"After a month in pro ball, Lou went into the Navy. From 1946 through '49 he played in six different minor leagues. The Giants mistakenly put him on the waiver list and the Browns grabbed him in 1950.
After a brief trial with the Browns, Lou was sent to San Antonio, winning 12 and losing 5. He spent part of '51 at Kansas City where he appeared in seven games, winning 4 and losing 2. He was traded to the Senators in May of '52"
-1952 Topps No. 306
"Lou came to the Senators from the Browns in May of '52. Before being sent down to Chattanooga in July, Lou, in addition to three other victories, turned in a 1-0 shutout of the A's.
After two years at the University of Maryland, he entered pro ball with Hartford in 1946. For Ogdensburg in '48, Lou posted a 12-8 mark. For Jacksonville in '49, he had a 14-13 record and for San Antionio in '50 he won 12. He was with the Browns for parts of '50 and '51."
-1953 Topps No. 224
"Up for another chance at a Yankee starting assignment, Steve has all the talent to become an American League star. He joined the Yankees late in the 1953 season after a great year at Binghamton where he won 19 games while losing only 2, with a 2.08 ERA and 139 strikeouts.
Steve starred in high school and American Legion baseball before entering pro ball."
-1955 Topps No. 139
LOU SLEATER
"After a month in pro ball, Lou went into the Navy. From 1946 through '49 he played in six different minor leagues. The Giants mistakenly put him on the waiver list and the Browns grabbed him in 1950.
After a brief trial with the Browns, Lou was sent to San Antonio, winning 12 and losing 5. He spent part of '51 at Kansas City where he appeared in seven games, winning 4 and losing 2. He was traded to the Senators in May of '52"
-1952 Topps No. 306
"Lou came to the Senators from the Browns in May of '52. Before being sent down to Chattanooga in July, Lou, in addition to three other victories, turned in a 1-0 shutout of the A's.
After two years at the University of Maryland, he entered pro ball with Hartford in 1946. For Ogdensburg in '48, Lou posted a 12-8 mark. For Jacksonville in '49, he had a 14-13 record and for San Antionio in '50 he won 12. He was with the Browns for parts of '50 and '51."
-1953 Topps No. 224
Friday, January 18, 2019
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Jim Konstanty
"Jim came to the Yankees from the Phillies in 1954. For New York, he had a 1-1 record for nine mound appearances. He appeared in 33 games for the Phillies winning two and losing three.
A fine pitcher, Jim was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1950. That year his 74 appearances and a 16-7 record as a top-notch fireman were vital factors in the Phillies' drive to the pennant. He's been in baseball since 1941."
-1955 Bowman No. 231
A fine pitcher, Jim was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1950. That year his 74 appearances and a 16-7 record as a top-notch fireman were vital factors in the Phillies' drive to the pennant. He's been in baseball since 1941."
-1955 Bowman No. 231
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Billy Hunter
"The Browns obtained Bill in a reported $150,000 deal with the Dodgers. He was with Ft. Worth of the Texas League in 1951 and '52. In the latter season, he led the Texas League in fielding and stolen bases and was given the Most Valuable Player award.
A slick fielder, Bill broke in with Three Rivers in 1948, went to Nashua in '49 and played for Pueblo of the Western Association in '50."
-1953 Topps No. 166
"The St. Louis Browns acquired him in October 1952 from the Brooklyn Dodger organization in a deal reported to be in the vicinity of $150,000. He is tabbed as one of the future greats. Billy was in 154 games for the 1953 Browns, hitting .219.
Billy played prep ball at Indiana, Pa. and also for Indiana State (Pa.) Teachers College. While a sophomore at Indiana Teachers he was invited by the Dodgers to attend a tryout camp and wound up signing with the team."
-1954 Bowman No. 5
"Billy came to the majors last season and lived up to his reputation as a fine fielder. In 1953 he was the busiest shortstop in the American League, handling the most chances, leading the league in assists and ranking third in double plays. One of Billy's big thrills as a freshman was taking part in a triple play.
In spring training of 1952 with Ft. Worth, Billy broke three ribs. With no practice he started on Opening Day and played the entire season. And was voted the Most Valuable Player of the Texas League."
-1954 Topps No. 48
"Bill came to the Yankees for the 1955 season in a big winter deal between the Yanks and Orioles. He is a highly regarded young ball player, once a member of the Dodgers organization.
In 1954 he appeared in 125 games for the Orioles and hit .243. He had 100 hits for 125 total bases, including nine doubles, five triples and two homers. He batted in 27 runs and scored 28. 1953 was his first season in the majors, and the [then St. Louis Browns] purchased his contract from Fort Worth for $90,000 and three players."
-1955 Bowman No. 69
A slick fielder, Bill broke in with Three Rivers in 1948, went to Nashua in '49 and played for Pueblo of the Western Association in '50."
-1953 Topps No. 166
"The St. Louis Browns acquired him in October 1952 from the Brooklyn Dodger organization in a deal reported to be in the vicinity of $150,000. He is tabbed as one of the future greats. Billy was in 154 games for the 1953 Browns, hitting .219.
Billy played prep ball at Indiana, Pa. and also for Indiana State (Pa.) Teachers College. While a sophomore at Indiana Teachers he was invited by the Dodgers to attend a tryout camp and wound up signing with the team."
-1954 Bowman No. 5
"Billy came to the majors last season and lived up to his reputation as a fine fielder. In 1953 he was the busiest shortstop in the American League, handling the most chances, leading the league in assists and ranking third in double plays. One of Billy's big thrills as a freshman was taking part in a triple play.
In spring training of 1952 with Ft. Worth, Billy broke three ribs. With no practice he started on Opening Day and played the entire season. And was voted the Most Valuable Player of the Texas League."
-1954 Topps No. 48
"Bill came to the Yankees for the 1955 season in a big winter deal between the Yanks and Orioles. He is a highly regarded young ball player, once a member of the Dodgers organization.
In 1954 he appeared in 125 games for the Orioles and hit .243. He had 100 hits for 125 total bases, including nine doubles, five triples and two homers. He batted in 27 runs and scored 28. 1953 was his first season in the majors, and the [then St. Louis Browns] purchased his contract from Fort Worth for $90,000 and three players."
-1955 Bowman No. 69
Friday, January 11, 2019
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Elston Howard
"Elston comes to the Yankees as one of the most heralded rookies in many years. Although he has been a catcher and has been carried on their roster as a catcher, it is thought that he may be converted into an outfielder. It seems he is just too good not to play regular major league ball, and yet it is hard to displace a veteran as good as Yogi Berra.
Elston was with Toronto in 1954, and he batted .331. He had 22 homers and 108 runs batted in to his credit. Moreover, from what the experts say, statistics don't tell half the story."
-1955 Bowman No. 68
Elston was with Toronto in 1954, and he batted .331. He had 22 homers and 108 runs batted in to his credit. Moreover, from what the experts say, statistics don't tell half the story."
-1955 Bowman No. 68
1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Bob Grim
MY BIGGEST THRILL IN BASEBALL
by Bob Grim
"The biggest thrill happened just a few weeks before the American League season in April of 1954. It was a dream come true. As long as I can remember, I have always had the desire to be a major leaguer. I might go a little further and say I had always wanted to be a Yankee. As I said, it was a dream come true, because I had signed a major league contract to play with the New York Yankees."
-1955 Bowman No. 167
"There was no fanfare when Bob joined the Yanks last year, but by the end of the season, Yankee fans couldn't stop talking about their new pitching star. He placed second in the American League with a remarkable .769 won-lost average and led the Yanks in victories.
Bob began with Butler in 1948 and went to Norfolk in '50 to win 10 games. In '51, he posted a 2.39 ERA at Binghamton."
-1955 Topps No. 80
"Bob made a sensational big league debut last year by placing second in the American League in won-lost average. He led the Yankees in wins to become a top New York hurler."
-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 58
"When the Yankees went to spring training in 1954, young Bob Grim was with the team but not on the roster. On January 25, he was assigned to the Yankees' Binghamton farm, then he was put on the Kansas City roster.
His work during spring training was so impressive, however, that he began the season as a Yankee, and finished it as their only 20-game winner. His record was 20-6 and his earned run average was 3.26.
Bob has many backers who considered him [a deserving choice for] the American League Rookie of the Year."
-1955 Red Man No. AL 5
by Bob Grim
"The biggest thrill happened just a few weeks before the American League season in April of 1954. It was a dream come true. As long as I can remember, I have always had the desire to be a major leaguer. I might go a little further and say I had always wanted to be a Yankee. As I said, it was a dream come true, because I had signed a major league contract to play with the New York Yankees."
-1955 Bowman No. 167
"There was no fanfare when Bob joined the Yanks last year, but by the end of the season, Yankee fans couldn't stop talking about their new pitching star. He placed second in the American League with a remarkable .769 won-lost average and led the Yanks in victories.
Bob began with Butler in 1948 and went to Norfolk in '50 to win 10 games. In '51, he posted a 2.39 ERA at Binghamton."
-1955 Topps No. 80
"Bob made a sensational big league debut last year by placing second in the American League in won-lost average. He led the Yankees in wins to become a top New York hurler."
-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 58
"When the Yankees went to spring training in 1954, young Bob Grim was with the team but not on the roster. On January 25, he was assigned to the Yankees' Binghamton farm, then he was put on the Kansas City roster.
His work during spring training was so impressive, however, that he began the season as a Yankee, and finished it as their only 20-game winner. His record was 20-6 and his earned run average was 3.26.
Bob has many backers who considered him [a deserving choice for] the American League Rookie of the Year."
-1955 Red Man No. AL 5
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