Wanted! - 1960 Topps

Please note that this want list (and any of my want lists prior to 1971) is intended for my use.  While I would never turn down a trade to obtain one of these cards, I do not expect anyone to knock cards of this list.

#	Player	#	Player	#	Player
1	Early Wynn	210	Harmon Killebrew	365	Minnie Minoso
10	Ernie Banks	212	Walter Alston	377	Roger Maris
15	Pete Runnels	219	Fred Hutchinson	395	Hoyt Wilhelm
20	Roy Face	222	Al Lopez	398	Mike Cuellar
28	Brooks Robinson	227	Casey Stengel	420	Eddie Mathews
34	Sparky Anderson	240	Luis Aparicio	445	Warren Spahn
35	Whitey Ford	250	Stan Musial	450	Orlando Cepeda
50	Al Kaline	258	Dick Groat	455	Harry Brecheen
55	Bill Mazeroski	262	Hank Bauer	456	Sal Maglie
65	Elston Howard	264	Robin Roberts	460	Bob Lemon
70	Lew Burdette	275	Curt Flood	462	Walker Cooper
73	Bob Gibson	295	Gil Hodges	465	Eddie Lopat
92	Whitey Herzog	300	Hank Aaron	467	Mickey Vernon
100	Nellie Fox	305	Richie Ashburn	472	Alvin Dark
132	Frank Howard	316	Willie McCovey	475	Don Drysdale
136	Jim Kaat	326	Roberto Clemente	480	Yogi Berra
148	Carl Yastrzemski	330	Harvey Kuenn	483	Camilo Pascual
150	Billy Pierce	335	Red Schoendienst	485	Ken Boyer
176	Vada Pinson	343	Sandy Koufax	490	Frank Robinson
188	Dick Williams	345	Don Newcombe	493	Duke Snider
195	Lindy McDaniel	350	Mickey Mantle	502	Jim Bunning
200	Willie Mays	353	Don Larsen	505	Ted Kluszewski

The Curious Case of Carl Mathias

I’m pretty sure most everyone knows of the perfect game/career of John Paciorek, the eldest brother of the Paciorek clan. John played one game in his career, and it was the last game in the Colt 45s 1963 season. In that game, John went 3 for 3, scored four runs and knocked in three ribbies. 

But, have you ever heard about Carl Mathias? No, he didn’t play in only one game, but he does have one rather dubious distinction… 

Carl spent six years in the minors before playing two years in the majors, where he pitched in seven games for the Cleveland Indians and four games for the Washington Senators. Carl was 0-2 in his career and had a rather woeful ERA of 7.14. Carl then returned to the minors for four more seasons and then hung up his cleats at the age of 28. While Carl’s career numbers are not impressive, Carl does have a what I believe is a beautiful history in the game. 

During Carl’s brief career, he gave up 5 dingers. Three of those home runs were to the one and only Mickey Mantle. In fact, The Mick had four plate appearances in two games against Mathias, and the Commerce Comet got a hit in all four at bats. Three homers and one double for a ridiculous OPS of 4.500. 

 

And apparently Carl did not have much luck against Hall of Fame players. Both Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox had perfect batting averages against Mathias, and Brooks Robinson was .667. All told, HOFers went 9 for 12 against Mathias with three doubles, three dingers and eight RBIs. 

I wonder if Mr. Mathias tells his grandchildren that Mickey Mantle ate his fastball for breakfast? It doesn’t sound like something to be proud of, but it links Carl to baseball history, and I think that is something special to talk about.

2013 MLB Tournament Prizes #11 through #15

Tonight I bring you the Week 3 reveal of the next batch of potential prizes for the 2013 MLB Tournament.  As noted previously, there will be 30 prizes available, however, only the tournament winner will receive a prize.  The prizes consist of one card from my collection for each of the 30 teams.

Seeds are not open for claiming, and the prizes are based on a sliding scale using Las Vegas' odds for winning the 2013 World Series.

For further information, check out the original 2013 MLB Tournament announcement, as well as the reveals of Prizes #1 through #5 and Prizes #6 through #10. 

This week the prizes are beginning to considerably step up in quality.  Let's take a look!

#11 - Odds 16/1 - NL Seed #8	1960 Topps Robin Roberts
#12 - Odds 22/1 - AL Seed #5	2011 Topps Lineage 1975 Mini Relic
#13 - Odds 25/1 - AL Seed #12	1972 Topps Carlton Fisk RC
#14 - Odds 25/1 - NL Seed #5	1968 Topps Bob Gibson
#15 - Odds 30/1 - AL Seed #2	1970 Topps Reggie Jackson

PS - Seeds are not open for request, and will not be opened until all 30 prizes have been announced.

PPS - Here is the bracket...

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1960 Ted Williams

As promised last week, I am in the midst of releasing a trio of Topps Cards That Never Were for arguably the greatest hitter to ever play the game, Ted Williams.  Previously, I featured a 1959 Topps version of Williams that received little fanfare and was largely ignored.  Oh well, I’m not in it for the adulation.

This week is a 1960 Topps card representing Williams’ 1959 season, the one and only season he hit under .300!  The release of this card is also special because it is my Dad’s birthday, and Ted Williams was his favorite player.  So what better gift than to present a 1960 Topps Williams’ card that never was?  Enjoy!

I enjoyed making this card.  Adding the black and white photograph was fun, and I like the approach I took of showing his number instead of his face like most 1960 Topps cards.  The number nine is synonymous with Ted Williams and it should be shown on a card!  The lettering did give me fits.  I was almost done when I realized I had the black/red alternating sequence messed up.  Oops.

As always, let me know if you have any requests, and I’ll start working on a card for you.  I have one more Williams to show, and a request for a 1972 Topps Fisk RC.