Faces From The Past! Do You Remember Them?

As Collectors, and just plain fans of the game, from time to time, its fun to  glance back, at some of those stars, and not so famous players that we once cheered for. Here are a few. Perhaps we can continue this column in furture months Let us know what you think? 

                                                                                                               1959 Topps - Card # 150 - Book Value: $125. -  STAN MUSIAL, One of the games greatest stars back in the '50's.  He was known as Stan The Man. A 300-hitter virtually every year. Stan was known as one of the games "gentlemen," He played the game of baseball, and the game of life, the right way. Truly a super saleman for his sport indeed!

1953 Bowman - Card # 26 ( B&W ) - Book Value: $80. - PREACHER ROE, Brooklyn Dodgers. A crafty left handed pitcher for the old Brooklyn Bums. Pitched his way in and out of trouble, game in and game out. Gave up over 1,600 hits, almost a hit per inning pitched during his career. Started nearly 300 games in major league career, as the ace of the staff.

1950 Bowman - Card # 74 - Book Value: $60. - JOHNNY ANTONELLI, Boston Braves. Rookie Card of this one time Bonus Baby. Johnny joined the Braves in 1948. He was a super star pitcher during his high school career. Never quite matched those efforts at the big league level.

1961 Post Cereal - Card # 101 - Book Value: $25. - WARREN SPAHN, Boston Braves. It was "Spahn and Sain, and Pray for Rain" back in the '50's. This stylish lefty started some 571 games for the Braves, tossing over 4,000 innings. He won 288 games as the ace of the staff in beantown. He remains a Boston legend.

1953 Topps - Card # 76 - Book Value: $175. - HAROLD ( Pee Wee ) REESE. Known as a southern gentleman, Reese was the captain of those solid Dodger teams of the '50's. He became part of that super double play combination of Robinson and Reese. As time passed, Reese became a solid backer of Robinson during those trying, racially tainted years.

1957 Topps - Card # 2 - Book Value: $200. - LAWRENCE ( Yogi ) BERRA. One of the games greatest characters. Yogi was the backbone of all those championship Yankees teams of the '50's, at the Catchers position. He went on to serve as a Yankees manager, and remains a member of the Yankees family after all these years.

1960 Topps - Card # 326 - Book Value:  $175. - ROBERTO CLEMENTE, Pittsburgh Pirates. A super star during his playing days in Pittsburgh. A solid two way player, great fielder with a rocket throwing arm, and an even better hitter. Passed away in an unfortunate airplane crash, while on a charlty mission overseas.

1952 Bowman - Card # 60 - Book Value: $15. - SID GORDON, Boston Braves. Gordon arrived on the major league scene with the old New York Giants back in 1941. He joined the Braves via the trade route in 1950. He was one of the first Jewish players in the big leagues, hitting around the .280 level. He played Third Base and the Outfield in Boston.

1952 Topps - Card # 1 - Book Value: $5,000. - ANDY PAFKO, Brooklyn Dodgers. Despite that high Book Value on this card, Pafko was never a super star, perhaps, not even a star. He had a career batting average around .290, with 144 home runs. The value on the card came when it was issued as the "first-ever" Card issued by Topps. They had issued a Game Card Set in 1951. As an added plus, this Card was issued with both red, and black backs.

1950 Bowman - Card # 208 - Book Value: $15. - JIM HEARN, St.Louis Cardinals. Atlanta, Georgia-native. Began his career with the Cardinals in 1949. I believe Hearn peaked as a member of the New York Giants some years later. A very reliable right hander for those Leo Durocher led teams of the '50's.

There is a sampling, part of baseballs history, back in the glory years of the 1950's. There is plenty more where that came from. Stay tuned for the next edition.

                                                                                        endit-lfj