Former slugging stalwart Charlie Keller returns to the Yankees as batting coach. The five-time All-Star batted .306 with five home runs in four World Series.
After being named 1937 Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, Charlie broke into the majors in '39 with one of the finest rookie seasons ever registered by a Bomber freshman. His .334 batting average, with 11 homers and 83 RBIs in 111 games, was capped by a stellar World Series performance, with the young man batting .438 with three home runs in New York's four-game sweep of Cincinnati. Charlie's 33 homers, 122 RBIs, 24 doubles and 10 triples in 1941 were followed by a 1942 season in which, for the third straight year, he both scored 100 runs and drew 100 walks.
Following service in U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II, Charlie returned to civilian life with 29 doubles, 10 triples and 30 round-trippers in 1946.
Friday, July 31, 2020
1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Deron Johnson
ROOKIE STAR
"Breaking into the Yankee outfield may not be the easiest job in the world, but Deron is conceded a good chance of turning the trick. He has power to spare and drives in runs with amazing consistency. If he can shake his habit of swinging at bad pitches, he will put the good ones out of sight.
Deron was the No. 3 man in both homers and RBIs in the International League in 1958."
-1959 Topps No. 131
"Breaking into the Yankee outfield may not be the easiest job in the world, but Deron is conceded a good chance of turning the trick. He has power to spare and drives in runs with amazing consistency. If he can shake his habit of swinging at bad pitches, he will put the good ones out of sight.
Deron was the No. 3 man in both homers and RBIs in the International League in 1958."
-1959 Topps No. 131
Sunday, July 26, 2020
1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Darrell Johnson
"Darrell could probably be the first-string catcher on some major league teams but he has his troubles breaking into the lineup with the catcher-rich Yankees. He was sent to Richmond in May.
Darrell's dad was a major league first baseman."
-1959 Topps No. 533
Darrell's dad was a major league first baseman."
-1959 Topps No. 533
1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Elston Howard
"In the 1958 World Series, Elston had a great time. His sensational fielding play saved the Yankees and he drove in the winning run in the deciding seventh game to bring the World Championship to New York.
Elston is a big man on the Yankee squad."
-1959 Topps No. 395
Elston is a big man on the Yankee squad."
-1959 Topps No. 395
1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Ralph Houk
During his playing days, Ralph was one of a select group of Yankees to play on all five of Casey Stengel's five straight World Champions. Although he never played regularly at the big league level, the Yankee brass was so impressed with his leadership and knowledge of baseball he was placed in command of New York's top farm club at Denver. In three seasons guiding the Bears, Ralph did much to develop the careers of such young Yankees as Tony Kubek, Bobby Richardson, Norm Siebern, Ryne Duren, Zack Monroe and Marv Throneberry.
The Major returns to the Stadium this year as first base coach. Nobody doubts he will be managing a major league club in the future.
The Major returns to the Stadium this year as first base coach. Nobody doubts he will be managing a major league club in the future.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Mark Freeman
"Mark was scheduled to make his major league debut with the Yankees this year but a trade brought him to the A's. He was sent to Seattle in May.
He was signed into the New York farm system in 1951 and displayed a fine fastball and curve.
Mark played ball at Louisiana State."
-1959 Topps No. 532
He was signed into the New York farm system in 1951 and displayed a fine fastball and curve.
Mark played ball at Louisiana State."
-1959 Topps No. 532
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
1959 Back-O'-The-Card: Whitey Ford
"Whitey had the top ERA in the American League last year. In fact, he has the best lifetime ERA of any regular active hurler. Whitey hurled seven shutouts in '58."
-1959 Topps No. 430
-1959 Topps No. 430
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