CLOSED...1961 Topps $15 Auction...Day 36

[HercDriver]

A trio today, that includes Jim Marshall, the first Cubs manager I remember as a kid. Also, Elmer Valo, one of two Slovaks to appear in MLB history. And of the 1809 games played by Slovakians, Valo played 1806 of them. And then there is a Herb Score. Score struck out 245 batters as a rookie, a record that stood until Dwight Gooden topped it. He was on his way to stardom, going 20-9, with 263 K’s in his sophomore season. And then came the fateful day that Gil McDougald lined a ball into his face, shattering his nose and eye socket. He was never able to return to the form that earned him the respect of many players, which makes you wonder how good he could have been. Mantle said he was the greatest lefty he ever faced, and Berra picked him for his All-Time Great team. That tells you how great he could have been, if he just could have got the glove up a bit quicker. Have an awesome day!!


Card Tracker
126 cards, at 40 cents each, shipped

[jimmysuitcase]

After watching Despicable Me with my kids, I couldn't help but notice the resemblance - in spite of the hair - between Steve Bilko & Gru.

[HercDriver]

Haha!! That's pretty good! I was wondering who he reminded me of. I always think he should be called Sgt Bilko.

[HercDriver]

Another trio before I head to the hills to ski the day away! I had no idea who Dick Brown was, but turns out to be a rather sad story. He played nine seasons, finishing up in 1965. He was projected to be a starter in 1966, but was diagnosed with a brain tumor, had surgery, and it came back a few months later. He died at the age of 35. That's just hard to hear, because we all know somebody like that. I was an Air Force pilot for twenty years and saw three good friends die, way too young. When you are having a crappy day, and then you think about guys like that, it puts it all into a bit of perspective, because their loved ones would have loved to have them around, even if they were having a crappy day. So a toast to Dick Brown. And David Wyatt, Aaron George, and Dave Cooley. A catcher and three military pilots who died way too young...

Card Tracker:
129 cards, 39 cents each, shipped

[HercDriver]

Three more in the mix for today! Jerry Casale ended up in the restaurant business in NYC after he got out of baseball. He opened a couple places, one of which I think is still around, in Murray Hill, in Manhattan. Wikipedia says it was called Pino's on 34th St, but there is a Pino on 33rd, so I'm guessing that may be it. I'll have to swing by there, next time I'm in town. Next week, as a matter of fact. Geno Conley, who died recently, was an interesting athlete. He was one of only two guys to win championships in two major sports, with Otto Graham being the other, about ten years prior. Conley won the World Series with the Braves, and three titles with the Celtics. He also won the 1955 All-Star Game. The book, Red Sox Nation, tells a story of Conley and Pumpsie Green getting out of the team bus in NYC traffic to find a bathroom. When they came out of the bar, the bus was gone, so they checked into a hotel. Green rejoined the team the next day, but Conley decided he had to go see Jerusalem, so he disappeared for a bit. He was fined, but eventually made his way back. I wonder if they ran into to Pino's to use the facility...they could have said hello to Jerry! Have a great one!!

Card Tracker:
132 cards (22% of set), averaging 38 cents each, shipped

[HercDriver]

Thank goodness for Bob Boyd! I really didn't want to write too much about Ed Bouchee and his problems. I'm guessing most of you know that Bouchee's 1958 card was pulled after he exposed his bits to young girls. I've actually got two of him, one autographed. I have no idea who autographed it, and it may have been him, but I have no Bouchee authentication skills. Anyway, Bob Boyd is way more interesting. He was the first black player to sign with the White Sox, after a career in the Negro Leagues. For a guy you've never heard of, he was a pretty decent hitter, finishing fourth in BA in 1957, behind Williams, Mantle, and Woodling. His .318 average made him the Oriole's first .300 hitter since coming to Baltimore. By the time he appeared on this card, "El Ropo," as they called hime for his line drives, was on his way out of Baltimore to make room for Jim Gentile, one of the Topps trophy boys in this set. Have a great day!

Card Tracker:
136 cards (23% of set), 11 cents each, shipped

[HercDriver]

OK...I need to drop the bid, in order to get all the cards in one pre-paid envelope. So new rules are a $15 minimum bid, and an eight hour window to bid after the initial bid. I upped it two hours, since I changed the rules and want to give anybody who was watching, a chance to see it. Thanks for playing!!

Take Care,
Geno