Players that wore glasses...

[jchcollins]

I’ve decided to start a new subset in my collection, since my favorite genre (uh, what may simply be best termed as “Postwar Stars and HOF’ers”) would seem to have set me back entirely too much $$ in 2019.

A story, if you will indulge me: As a kid, nearsighted me got my first pair of glasses when I was about 13 years old, and aside from the brief wonder at all the things I suddenly could see again - I hated them. After about a year of complaining, I was allowed to get contact lenses so that I would no longer be a “4-eyes”, subject to incessant teasing and taunting in junior high school. So, for the next 15-17 years, into my early 30’s - I used and abused contact lenses. You were supposed to take them out regularly, but I’m sure there were periods of 2 weeks or longer in college where I never did that. Long story short, I began to develop weird headaches and several eye doctors later was told that I had “severe dry eye” and needed to quit wearing the contacts. This time when I went back to glasses, (circa 2010) the “retro look” was back in, and I decided dammit, if I’m going to wear glasses again, they are going to be cool glasses and glasses that look like glasses and not a pair that are trying to hide something.

All that to say, I’m starting a collection of vintage players with cool vintage glasses. This is my first entry, and set me back a whopping $3.51 from Greg Morris. Any other cards that come to mind of retro players with retro glasses? This is inherently cool because I mean come on...due respect to GG winner and All-Star Roy McMillian, rest his soul - but what modern player would be caught dead in a pair of specs like this on the field today? LOL.




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[smrtn240]

because you gotta see
BTW Gregg Maddux was my favorite pitcher/ accountant from my childhood

[bobw]

The 1956 Pirates

[mrmopar]

Fred Gladding wins this game, I think.

[1963Topps Set]

Clint Courtney and Jim Konstanty

[tjenkins]

Rich Rollins

[ajquigs]

My favorite 'glasses' card. Diamond Stars Chick Hafey.
Pre-war ... but affordable and a HOFer.

[RCMcKenzie]

I was fortunate to not wear glasses for a long time. Now, I wear reading glasses almost all day...

[CurtisFlood]

Specs Torporcer!

[irv]

[chalupacollects]

Originally Posted by bobw

The 1956 Pirates

Is there an explanation for the guy with no pants and his exploring hand? lol

[mckinneyj]

1952T_Dimaggio.jpg

1959T_Duren.jpg

[ZiggerZagger]

Two of my favorites -- Earl Torgeson and George Crowe

[ATTACH] 378412 [/ATTACH]

Awesome, and of an era.

[irv]

[JollyElm]

In a word, Reggie!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mikemb]

Although his 1955 Bowman baseball card does not show him in glasses, Frank Umont was the first umpire to wear glasses in a game. Frank is from my hometown of Dunellen, NJ. Mike

[todeen]

Originally Posted by ajquigs

My favorite 'glasses' card. Diamond Stars Chick Hafey.

Pre-war ... but affordable and a HOFer.

+1

Chick Hafey had multiple pairs of glasses because his eyesight changed daily.

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[BruceinGa]

Ryne Duran was the first I remember.
As for me, I am still playing softball an 70. I don't wear glassed/contacts or have had eye surgery. I find that my vision is somewhat blurry () but still good enough to play well. I've tried glasses but without success.

[ValKehl]

Tom mentioned "Scrap Iron" Courtney earlier. I believe this 1961 7-11 card is Clint's scarcest card.

[ValKehl]

The 1960 NL Rookie of the year with the Dodgers and the 1968 & 1970 AL Home Run leader with the woeful Senators, this 1965 Topps sales reps' sample is the only card of "Hondo" Howard (one heck of a nice guy) that I happen to have scanned.

[Collectorsince62]

Not exactly the coolest looking specs, but hey, they made it to the majors despite not having the greatest eyesight and had nice careers.

[nolemmings]

One of my childhood faves:

[irv]

Denny McLain.

[smrtn240]

I believe you have my stapler

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by todeen

+1

Chick Hafey had multiple pairs of glasses because his eyesight changed daily.

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That is weird, any idea of the reason, diabetes maybe?

[todeen]

The great and reliable Wikipedia says he was hit in the head multiple times in 1926 and it caused eye sight deterioration.

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[David W]

Dick Allen and Tom Bradley

[G1911]

Tom Gorman. He also appears in 53 Bowman B/W and 1959 Topps, but is not wearing his spectacles on them.

[G1911]

Can't be considered complete without showing the rest of Gladding's cards.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Lowell Palmer, my favorite player with eyewear as a kid.

Here's a recent story:
https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...heritage-card/

[Promethius88]

Most are probably unaware of this one....

[ajquigs]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

Most are probably unaware of this one....

I never noticed, and it's one of my favorite cards.
In fairness, they are pretty subtle.

[geosluggo]

The high-number 1967 Dave Ricketts is one of my favorite cards and one of the last ones I needed to complete that set.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by geosluggo

The high-number 1967 Dave Ricketts is one of my favorite cards and one of the last ones I needed to complete that set.

Yeah, he kinda looks like Squints from The Sandlot in that pic!