Looking Back! Was Sibby Really a Super Star?

I couldn't get away from the guy! He just kept ranting! I couldn't believe the way he was acting! Something about when he was a kid. He loved the old Boston Braves! And some guy named Sibby Sisti?

I didn't even know this guy and had never seen him before. I think he said his name was Jimmy? Or was it Glebo? I'm still not sure. He just kept talking about Sisti. Or was it Sibby? I'm still not sure.

Later that night, back at my ranch, in Maine, I decided to peruse the Baseball Card Listings. I settled in around the 1949 time period, and to my amazement, there it was,a Rookie Card of the guy.

It read Sebastian Daniel Sisti. Card No. 201, from the '49 Bowman Set, and for a mere $30 to $40. I could own one. Seemed kinda cheap after all that Glebo buildup earlier back in Woburn? I could even steal the same Card, with four taped corners, for a mere $12.95.

I then glanced at the information on this Sisti guy. Seems he got his start way back in 1939 when he joined the then Boston Braves. Spent five long years at old Braves Field, then was off to serve his country during wartime.

He returned in 1946, a one game stint, then had his greatest career in organized ball, in the  minors, at Indianapolis. He hit .343 as the starting shortstop, and was back to the wigwam in 1947.

He was on a downward slide by 1949, when he batted a fading .257, and by 1950, now a Utility Player, that average had slid to .171. I got the Magnifying Glass out, surely this info can't be correct? I mean, this Glebo fellow indicated that Sisti was a Super Star type of player?

Perhaps his status had been determined by those who surrounded him in that Braves dugout. I mean guys like Buddy Kerr, Walker Cooper, Vern Bickford, Warren Spahn, Sid Gordon, Bob Elliott, even Eddie Stanky and Al Dark stopped by.

Didn't Phil Masi and Tommy Holmes play with Sibby? Kinda easy to see how Sibby got lost with all those stars. No wonder this Jimmy still thinks he was a big timer.

Thinking I had missed something, I checked back at the recent Listings. That created only more confusion. For instance, a 1951 Sisti Bowman Card was going for around $5.95 on the internet. But wait! Here is a 1954 Johnston Cookies Card, Excellent Condition, for $1,200? That must be Glebo's Bid? Or some dreamer?

But it gets better. Here is a Boston Braves autugraphed Ball, circa 1948, with the COA, and its only $2,000. Meanwhile we can get a 1952 Topps Card, No. 293, Very Good Condition, for $29.00. Or to complete this segment, how about a 1969-era Seattle Pilots autographed Sisti Ball, with COA, for $ 129.00?

Needless to say, I was more confused than ever after all this window shopping. These prices were as misleading as Sibby's career. I must admit that way back, many years ago, I thought that Sibby was indeed a superstar!

Well maybe, a Star? Or, at least a good player? But after listening to Glebo, and checking all these facts, I gotta admit, there are indeed two sides to every story. And I for one, am not buying Jimmy's jive.

But wasn't it great to be kids back then! Back when we could truly enjoy the game, and the players were indeed, all Stars in our eyes. within the wonderfull game! Even Sibby Sisti.