1960 Back-O'-The-Card: Fred Kipp

"Last season the S.O.S. signal went up 31 times with Fred's number on it. The troubled-tossed Dodgers need his talents to relieve their starting staff. It was a change from the full length assignments Fred received while with Montreal.

Fred has a wicked knuckleball."

-1959 Topps No. 258

"Fred broke into baseball in dramatic fashion in 1953. At Asheville he compiled a 15-5 record and led his league with a low 2.23 ERA. After a year at Mobile, he went to Montreal and found Triple A ball to his liking. Fred polished 20 opponents and lost but seven times. He came to the Dodgers in 1957.

Fred was in military service in 1954 and 1955."

-1960 Topps No. 202

1960 Back-O'-The-Card: Deron Johnson

1960 Sport Magazine Rookie Star

"In three of his four years in the minors, Deron has been on his league's all-star squad. He has a good chance of doing the same thing in the majors. A long ball hitter, he could well be the spark to help the Yankees back to the top of the Junior Circuit.

Deron broke an International League record by blasting seven homers in the playoffs in 1957."

-1960 Topps No. 134

1960 Back-O'-The-Card: Johnny James

"Although Johnny didn't qualify for the pitching title, he had one of the best ERAs in the International League last year. In 1958 he was at Richmond and won eight games. Johnny was also up at the tail end of the campaign and hurled three innings for the New Yorkers.

Strictly a reliever, he stands a fine chance of making the majors with the Yankees this season. He cooperated in a no-hitter in spring training against the Phillies."

-1960 Topps No. 499

1960 Back-O'-The-Card: Ken Hunt

"After enjoying a highly successful season at Shreveport last year, Ken was brought up to the Yankees for a trial. He did well, batting .333 in six contests. Although he played in only 99 games in the Southern Association in 1959, he was the league's No. 7 man in the home run department.

Ken was in military service in 1955 and 1956. He was optioned to Richmond by the Yanks on May 18, 1960."

-1960 Topps No. 522

"Hunt is a long ball hitter who reported late last season from Shreveport in the Southern Association where he played in 99 games. His home run total for the year, 21, makes him a right-handed hitter who may fit into Yankee plans to replace Hank Bauer. Hunt drove in 74 runs with a .322 batting average."

-1960 Leaf No. 33

1960 Back-O'-The-Card: Elston Howard

1959 Season Highlights

April 18: Gets five singles in six at-bats in 16-7 rout of Baltimore.

May 30: A pair of two-run homers help pound Washington, 11-2.

August 2: Elston's three hits and four RBIs beats KC, 7-5.

August 9: His homer in the 11th inning sinks the Athletics, 4-3.

September 20: Elston's two-run pinch home run trips Boston.

"Elston's great catch in the 1958 World Series saved the championship for New York."

-1960 Topps No. 65

1960 Back-O'-The-Card: Ralph Houk

"After three successful seasons as manager of the Denver team, Ralph Houk joined the Yankees' coaching staff in 1958. His Denver squad finished second twice and third once. While an active player, Ralph was a fine defensive catcher."

-1960 Topps No. 465

1960 Back-O'-The-Card: Jim Hegan

"Jim is one of the hardest working backstops in the American League. He finished fourth in receiving with a .990 average made up of 637 putouts, 76 assists and only seven errors. His putout total was 161 more than that of second-place Bill Swift of Detroit.

Jim batted .200 in 1948 World Series action. His regular-season batting mark was .248."

-1949 Leaf No. 28

"In 152 games for the Indians in 1949, Jim batted .224. He led American League catchers in putouts in 1947 and 1948, and in double plays and assists in 1948.

Jim first joined the Indians near the end of the 1941 season. He began 1942 with Baltimore (four games) but moved right back up to the Indians. In the armed forces for three years, Jim then returned to Cleveland as the first-string catcher."

-1950 Bowman No. 7

"Jim got into 131 games in 1950 and hit .219. He drove in 58 runs.

He first joined the Indians for 34 games toward the end of 1941. He started the next campaign with Baltimore but was quickly called back to Cleveland. Next came three years of military service.

Jim returned to be the Indians' first-string catcher. He led American League backstoppers in putouts in 1947 and 1948 and in double plays in '48. He hit .224 in 152 games in 1949."

-1951 Bowman No. 79 (Bowman Gum, Inc.)

"Jim is one of the best fielding catchers in baseball. He topped American League backstops in 1951 with a percentage of .991.

He hits a long ball- he slammed six home runs and 17 doubles in the '51 campaign. His batting average was .238.

Jim broke into the majors with the Indians in 1941."

-1952 Bowman No. 187

"The best fielding catcher in the American League in 1951.

Jim is considered one of the best handlers of pitchers in the majors and had a great deal to do with the Indians having three pitchers who won 20 games. He's one of the two active catchers to make an unassisted double play. Never a great hitter, he comes through when it counts.

A war veteran, Jim made the Indians in 1942 and has been their No. 1 backstop since 1947."

-1952 Topps No. 17

"Jim, one of the steadiest defensive backstops, is given much credit for being a steadying influence on the excellent Cleveland mound staff. It's almost impossible to throw a ball past the big backstop.

He appeared in 133 games for the Indians in 1951, batted .238 and drove in 43 runs. He fielded .991 to lead American League catchers.

Jim has been with Cleveland since the end of the 1941 season."

-1952 Red Man No. AL-11

"As the league-leading catcher, defensively, in 1951, big Jim Hegan has made a name for himself in three ways. He's tops at catching a foul fly, he catches with grace and ease, and he blocks home plate better than just about anyone anywhere today.

He has also earned the respect of the entire Indian pitching staff by calling signals best designed to baffle the batter. Big Jim Hegan is the top backstop in the business."

-1952 Central National Bank of Cleveland Baseball Savings Club

"Jim is one of the steadiest and most reliable backstops in baseball. He is particularly noted for his ability to block the plate on a runner tearing in from third. His size helps him in that department.

He has caught three no-hit games in the majors. In 1948 and 1947 he led and tied for most double plays by an American League catcher. He has made an unassisted double play."

-1953 Bowman No. 102

"Jim is considered one of the best handlers of pitchers in the majors and much of the credit for Cleveland having three 20-game winners must go to him. He caught three no-hitters in the majors and is one of two active receivers to make an unassisted double play.

Jim started his career in 1938 and has been with the Indians since '42, except for three years of military service. In 1948 and '49 he led American League catchers in putouts."

-1953 Topps No. 80

"An Indian regular since 1942, Jim is noted for his ability to handle pitchers. In 1948 and '49 he led American League backstops in putouts and assists and topped the league in 1951 with a .991 fielding average. In 1950 and '51 he played on the A.L. All-Star team. He caught all six games in the 1948 World Series.

Jim is one of the top defensive catchers in the game today. He tied a major league record by making an unassisted double play in 1949. He's also caught three no-hitters in nine years as an Indian."

-1954 Topps No. 29

"James Edward Hegan led American League catchers in double plays in 1948 and tied in 1947. In 1949 he made an unassisted double play. He has caught three no-hit games.

He had three years of military service, 1943-45. He was a member of the A.L. All-Star team in 1950 and '51.

Jim is generally considered one of the best handlers of pitchers in the game today."

-1954 Red Heart

"Batting average doesn't always tell the value of a ballplayer. An outstanding example is Jim Hegan. Year after year he's one of the most important men on the Indians because of his great defensive ability and his tremendous amount of baseball know-how. In nine major league seasons, Jim has caught three no-hitters and led American League catchers in putouts three times and assists twice."

-1955 Topps No. 7

"Jim is probably one of the smartest catchers in the game today. A veteran big leaguer, he's led American League backstoppers in putouts three times and assists twice."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 67

"Big Jim is one of the sturdiest receivers in baseball. Indian fans swear by his work behind the plate, as do the Cleveland pitchers.

Jim doesn't hit for a very high average but he can power a long ball and will drive in runs when they count. He was in 139 games for the American League champions in 1954 and he batted .234. He had 11 homers and 40 runs batted in.

He began in organized baseball in 1938. Cleveland is his only major league team."

-1955 Red Man No. AL-7

"Last year Jim led American League catchers in fielding for the third time. He's caught three no-hitters, tops of all active catchers. Jim is the most graceful, sure-handed backstop in baseball."

-1956 Topps No. 48

"Pitchers love to hurl when Jim is behind the plate. In his career he's caught three no-hitters and is one of the smartest handlers of pitchers. In 1951, '54 and '55 he led American League catchers in fielding."

-1957 Topps No. 136

"Hegan has caught more than 100 games for ten seasons. He is adept at spotting hitters' weaknesses and pitchers show complete faith in his signals.

He has caught three no-hit games during his career. He has twice appeared in the World Series with the Indians."

-1958 Topps No. 345

"Long one of the top catchers in the American League, Jim will be a big help to the Phillies' mound staff this season."

-1959 Topps No. 372