Another Pack - Another Contest: Part 4

 This time I'm doing it a bit differently.  Due to the crazy amount of spam comments lately, I've had to moderate my comments and only allow non spam through.  Additionally, I am making this a Twitter-Only contest.  If you click on the image below of my contest tweet, it will take you right to the tweet.

Once on Twitter, simply "Like" and "Retweet". You are entered. I will draw 1 random winner of the entire pack and 5 winners of the Frank Thomas insert seen below:

I'm sorry I couldn't run a parallel contest on this blog, but there is a genuine problem with spam here.

Again, I thank the regular followers of this blog.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1961 AL Battery

In 1961 Topps had LHP Whitey Ford, RHP Jim Perry and catcher Earl Battey representing the AL battery. Only Ford was an actual Sporting News All Star in 1961. He was also the only starter in either 1960 All Star game, starting the second game. Bill Monbouquette was the starter in game 1.

Whitey For was the 1961 Sporting News All Star selection for left handed pitcher.  The right handed pitching selection was Tigers pitcher Frank Lary.

Righty Monbouquette started game one and southpaw Ford started game two.  In game one, the first lefty reliever was Bud Daley.  In game two the first right handed reliever was Ealy Wynn.

At catcher, Topps had Earl Battey, but the starter for both 1960 games was Yogi Berra. His backup from 1955-1959 was Elston Howard, who also platooned in the outfield for the Yankees.  But by 1960 he was getting the majority of starts behind the plate.  In 1961 he was named to the Sporting News All Star team at catcher. 

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1961 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Jim Perry was the runner up to Bob Allison for the AL Rookie of the year in 1959. In 1960 he led the AL with 18 wins. He was selected to the 1961 All Star team as a reserve. Earl Battey was a Gold Glove catcher for the Senators/Twins franchise in 1960 and 1961.  He was also 8th in MVP voting in 1960. That being said he wasn't an All Star in either season. Nor was he selected to The Sporting News roster.  So neither actually belong by my narrow definition.  If we only knew Topps definition...

Topps All-Star Misses: 1968 AL Infield

 The 1968 Topps All Star cards for the AL infield nearly reflected the 1967 AL starting infield.  1st base was Killebrew, 2nd was Carew, 3rd was Brooks Robinson.  Shortstop was where they ran into trouble.  Topps had Jim Fregosi at shortstop.  The actual starting shortstop was Rico Petrocelli.

And then there is the issue that the cards were supposed to represent "The Sporting News 1968 All Star Selections".  In that case, they missed the mark at shortstop again.  Luis Aparicio was the Sporting News pick.

They missed at 1st base, too.  In 1968 Boog Powell was The Sporting News All Star section.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1969 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Jim Fregosi:

 Fregosi technically doesn't belong using my narrow definition of either starting the previous season's ASG (1967) or being the current season's Sporting News All Star (1968).  However in 1967 he actually played more innings at short than the starter, Petrocelli. He was also the starter in the 1968 ASG.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1960 AL Outfield

 In 1960 Topps had Mantle, Maris and Kaline as its AL All Star outfielders.  All three of them started one of the 1959 ASGs.  Kaline started game one,  Maris and Mantle started the second game.  That left three other 1959 ASG starters that did not have All Star cards in the 1960 set.  Minnie Minoso was the most egregious offense. He not only started all four ASGS in 1959 and 1960, but he was also a Sporting News All Star in both 1959 and 1960.

Rocky Colavito started the first All Star game in 1959 and was a reserve in the second game.  He led the AL with 42 homers in 1959 and was 4th in MVP voting.

Ted Williams would get his last All Star start in the second ASG of 1959.  By 1960 he was already under contract with Fleer and wouldn't have another Topps card until his manager cards in 1969.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1969 AL Infield

 Topps 1969 American League All Star Infield was another head scratcher.  At second Topps had Rod Carew who was the 1968 All Star starter and a 1969 Sporting News All Star selection.  Similarly, third base was Brooks Robinson.  He was the 1968 ASG starter and a 1969 Sporting News All Star. There if falls apart.  

Topps had Bert Campaneris at shortstop. The actual 1969 Sporting News All Star was Luis Aparicio. The 1968 MLB All Star Game Starter was Jim Fregosi.

At first it gets really strange.  Topps had Ken Harrelson who had been used primarily as an outfielder since being dealt to the Red Sox in 1967.  In fact, he was named to The Sporting News All Star team in 1969 as an outfielder, not a first baseman. He also appears to be in his A's uniform despite being traded in 1967.  The actual 1969 Sporting News All Star in 1969 was Boog Powell and the starting first baseman in the 1968 All Star Game was Harmon Killebrew.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1969 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Bert Campaneris:

We'll give Topps a pass for Hawk Harrelson because he was a Sporting News Selection in 1969, although in the OF not 1B.  But Campy made his first ASG appearance in 1968 as a reserve and wouldn't be named to The Sporting News team until 1973. Additionally, the pinstriped uniform in the picture hasn't been worn by the A's in the regular season since 1961. How old is this picture? 

Topps All-Star Misses: 1961 AL Outfield

Topps 1961 All-Star AL outfield contained  Mantle, Maris and Kaline.  Mantle an Maris both started in the two 1960 All Star games and were also 1961 Sporting News All Stars.  Joining them in the outfield for the 1960 games was the "Cuban Comet" Minnie Minoso.  The 3rd 1961 Sporting News All Star outfielder was Rocky Colavito.  Therefore both Minnie and Rocky were worthy of cards in this subset.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1961 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Al Kaline:

 Al Kaline, a future Hall of Famer played in both 1960 and both 1961 ASGs.  He even started the second 1961 ASG.  Plus he was an impressive 5 for 9 in the 4 games.  Nobody doubts "Mr. Tiger's"  bona fides. Since he was a starter in neither of the 1960 contests and he was not selected to The Sporting News All Star team in 1961 (or for that matter, not in 1960 either), his inclusion in this set is questionable.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1968 AL Battery

 In 1968, Topps had Gary Peters, Joel Horlen and Bill Freehan as the "68 Sporting News All Star Selections" for the American League LH pitcher, RH pitcher and catcher respectively.  Of these only Freehan was the actual '68 selection.  He was also the starter of the 1967 MLB All Star game. Let's see who Topps could've used used instead.

Dave McNally:

• 
  1968 Sporting News All Star Selection
• 5th in MVP voting 1968

Denny McLain:

• 
  1968 Sporting News All Star Selection
• 1968 Cy Young Award winner
• 1968 AL MVP
• 1968 MLB All Star game reserve

Dean Chance:

• 13th in 1967 MVP voting
• 1967 MLB All Star game starter

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1968 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Joe Horlen:

Joe Horlen had a great 1967 season.  He had a career high 19 wins. He led the league in ERA, shutouts and WHIP.  He was also an All Star reserve in 1967 but never left the bullpen. He wasn't selected to the MLB All Star team in 1968. He was neither a 1967 or 1968 Sporting News All Star.  As much as it pains me, another White Sox player just doesn't belong here.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1970 AL Infield

After a bit of a diversion, I'm ready for another round of All Star misses by Topps.  As we've established, Topps basis for the players that appeared on "All Star" cards, often didn't reflect the actual starting MLB All Stars.  Many of these cards were labeled as "Sporting News All Star Selections".  Unfortunately, that often wasn't accurate either. So I've made cards that could've been included in these Topps All Star sub-sets from 1958-62 and 1968-70.

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The 1970 Topps "Sporting News" All Stars featured three AL infielders that started the 1969 All Star game; Boog Powell, Rod Carew and Rico Petrocelli.  It also had three from the 1969 Sporting News All Star team; Powell, Carew and Brooks Robinson.  Here are some players that could've been included based on either starting the 1969 ASG or being selected to the 1970 Sporting News All Star team:

 Davey Johnson:

• 1970 Sporting News All Star selection.
• 1969 MLB All Star reserve.
• 1970 MLB All Star starter.
• Gold Glove second baseman 1969 and 1970.

Sal Bando:

• 1969 MLB All Star starter.
• 16th in AL MVP voting 1969.
• 27th in AL MVP voting 1970.

Harmon Killebrew:

• 1970 Sporting News All Star selection.
• 1969 MLB All Star reserve.
• 1970 MLB All Star starter.
• 1969 AL MVP.
• 3rd in AL MVP voting 1970.

Luis Aparicio:

• 1969 and 1970 Sporting News All Star selection.
• 1970 MLB All Star starter.
• Gold Glove shortstop in 1970.
• 12th in AL MVP voting 1970.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1970 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Brooks Robinson:

A strong case could be made for the "Human Vacuum" based on his 1969 Sporting News All Star selection, and based on his appearance as a reserve in both 1969 and 1970 ASGs.  That being said, he didn't start either year, nor was he the 1970 selection by The Sporting News.

 

1959 Topps Football Cards as Baseball Cards

 Once again we see a hint of what's to come on Topps baseball cards from their football cards.  Specifically, I'm referring to the blue and red lettering on the player's name.  That same lettering would be used on the 1960 Topps baseball cards.  Here's a side by side comparison of a 1959 card of Hall of Fame Colts receiver Raymond Berry and the 1959 AL MVP Nellie Fox on the baseball version.  Nellie is looking particularly sweaty.  Perhaps he just swallowed his trademark cheek full of tobacco.

Topps All-Star Misses: 1958 AL Battery

The first year Topps included an All Star subset was 1958.  That particular year they attributed the "selection" of players to "Sport Magazine".  I have a list of "Sporting News" All Stars, but no way of verifying the "Sport" picks.  Nevertheless, here are a few that could've been included, and one that makes you scratch your head.

Jim Bunning:

• 
  Was the 1957 All Star starting pitcher.
• 1957 Sporting News All Star Selection.
• Tied for the AL lead in 1957 with 20 wins.
• 9th in MVP voting in 1957.

Billy Pierce:

• 
  Selected to Both the 1957 and '58 All Star Teams.
• 1957 Sporting News All Star Selection.
• First lefthanded pitcher to come on in relief in 1957 ASG.
• Tied for the AL lead in 1957 with 20 wins.
• 11th in MVP voting in 1957.
• Led AL in 1957 and '58 in Complete Games.

Yogi Berra:

• 
  Was the 1957 All Star starting catcher.
• Selected to Both the 1957 and '58 All Star Teams.
• 1957 Sporting News All Star Selection.
• 14th in MVP voting in 1957.
• 18th in MVP voting in 1958.

Who probably didn't merit inclusion in the 1958 Topps All-Star set, but was in it anyway?

Herb Score:

Herb Score's story is a baseball tragedy.  After a brilliant start to his career, he was struck in the face with a ball off Gil McDougald's bat. He injured his eye and broke bones in his face, causing him to miss most of the 1957 season.  Early in 1958 he returned only to tear a tendon in his arm causing him to miss most of that season.  Both of these injuries took place early in the 57-58 seasons.  Makes you wonder why he was included as a 1958 All Star in a late series subset.

1952 Topps Survivors

I was just reading the "Night Owl" post from June 3rd, about how the players of our youth seem to be passing away at an alarming rate.  Specifically, players from the 1975 Topps set.  It reminded me of another blogger who passed away a little over 4 years ago, Bob Lemke.  Bob kept tabs of who was still alive from the 1952 Topps set. 

Obviously, the list hasn't been updated in quite a while, so here is Bob's last update from November 2016  (Link Here).  This was his list of surviving players from the 1952 Topps set: 

PLAYER                     1952 TOPPS   BIRTH          TEAM
                        `           CARD NO.      DATE
Wally Westlake           38                    11/08/1920   SLC
Eddie Robinson           32                    12/15/1920   CWS
Sam Mele                    94                    01/21/1922   WSH
Gil Coan                      91                    05/18/1922   WSH
Red Schoendienst       91                    02/02/1923    SLC
Solly Hemus                196                  04/17/1923   SLC
Bob Kuzava                 85                    05/28/1923   NYY
Ed Fitz Gerald             236                  05/21/1924   PIT
Charlie Silvera             168                  10/13/1924   NYY
Irv Noren                     40                    11/29/1924   WSH
Wayne Terwilliger         7                      06/27/1925   BRO
Bobby Shantz              219                  09/26/1925   PHA
Ned Garver                 212                  12/25/1925   SLB
Bob Borkowski            328                  01/27/1926   CIN
Randy Jackson           322                  02/10/1926   CHC
Howie Judson             169                  02/16/1926   CWS
Bob Miller                    187                  06/16/1926   PHI
Bobby Morgan             355                  06/29/1926   BRO  
Johnny Groth              25                    07/23/1926   DET
Roy Sievers                 64                    11/18/1926   WSH
Carl Erskine                250                  12/13/1926   BRO
Carl Scheib                 116                  01/01/1927   PHA
Charlie Maxwell           180                  04/08/1927   BRS
Cloyd Boyer                280                  09/01/1927   SLC
Bob Kelly                     348                  10/04/1927   CHC
Tommy Brown             281                  12/06/1927   PHI
Dick Gernert                343                  09/28/1928   BRS
Joe Presko                  220                  10/07/1928   SLC
Bob Ross                    298                  11/02/1928   WSH
Curt Simmons             203                  05/19/1929   PHI
Ted Lepcio                  335                  07/28/1929   BRS
Ike Delock                   329                  11/11/1929   BRS
Del Crandall                162                  03/05/1930   BOS
Vern Law                     81                    03/12/1930   PIT
Johnny Antonelli          140                  04/12/1930   BOS
Dick Groat                   369                  11/04/1930   PIT
Bob Friend                  233                  11/24/1930   PIT
Willie Mays                  261                  05/06/1931   NYG
Tony Bartirome           332                  05/09/1932   PIT
Dick Brodowski           404                  07/26/1932  BRS
Bobby Del Greco         353                  04/07/1933   PIT

His list of 41 has now dropped to just 15.  The oldest being Eddie Robinson at 100 years and the youngest being the "Say Hey Kid" at a youthful 90.

Here is the current list of the '52 survivors: 

• Eddie Robinson           32                    12/15/1920   CWS
• 
  
  
  
  
• Bobby Shantz              219                  09/26/1925   PHA
• 
  
  
  
  
• Bobby Morgan             355                  06/29/1926   BRO  
• 
  
  
  
  
• Johnny Groth              25                    07/23/1926   DET
• 
  
• 
   
• Carl Erskine                250                  12/13/1926   BRO
• 
  
  
  
  
• Charlie Maxwell           180                  04/08/1927   BRS
• 
  
  
  
  
• Cloyd Boyer                280                  09/01/1927   SLC
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Bob Kelly                     348                  10/04/1927   CHC
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Tommy Brown             281                  12/06/1927   PHI
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Bob Ross                    298                  11/02/1928   WSH
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Curt Simmons             203                  05/19/1929   PHI
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Ike Delock                   329                  11/11/1929   BRS
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Vern Law                     81                    03/12/1930   PIT
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Dick Groat                   369                  11/04/1930   PIT
• 
  
  
  
  
•  Willie Mays                  261                  05/06/1931   NYG
• 
  
• 

It really strikes me how beautiful these cards truly were.  As much as Topps (or anyone else) tries to replicate these, I don't think they quite capture the artistry of the original set.

Lastly, since this is a Cards That Never Were blog, I feel obliged to include at least one custom card.  So here is my custom card of Bob Lemke himself.  I'm not sure if he coined the phrase "Cards That Never Were" but it's the first place I'd heard it.  He was a huge influence on this blog and the card community as a whole: