When I was 10 years old and buying packs of 1959 Topps I kept looking for 2 players - Ted Williams (superstar) and Vinegar Bend Mizell (I liked his name). Of course I never found them.
When I got older I found out about the Fleer contract that necessitated Ted's exclusion, but what about Mizell? Why no '59 card? He was certainly active.
Most times when players aren't on cards it's because
- it's their last year and Topps thought they'd retire
- it's their rookie year and Topps didn't think they'd make the team
- there's a contract conflict (T Williams)
- they're a superstar and can't be bothered (Stan Musial)
- they have a beef with the card maker (Honus Wagner)
Why are players like Wilmer Mizell, who don't fit into any of those categories, and who could have probably used the small amount of money Topps paid, not in the 1959 set? I'm sure there must be others, as well. I've never sat down and compared my complete set with the complete '59 roster of major league players.