1965 Topps AL Leading Firemen: Radatz, Wilhelm, Miller

Unlike this card's NL counterpart, the save leader and the Sporting News "Fireman of the Year" are one and the same. In 1964 Dick Radatz had a 16-9 record in relief along with a league leading 29 saves. He was also selected to the All Star game. Unfortunately, he had a blown save and lost the game. He surrendered a walk-off, 3 run homer to the All Star MVP Johnny Callison.

The 41 year old knuckle-baller, Hoyt Wilhelm had 12 wins and 27 saves for the White Sox. Stu Miller, who led the NL in saves in 1961 and the AL in 1963 had 7 wins and 23 saves.

1964 Topps AL Leading Firemen: Miller, Radatz and Dailey

In 1963 Stu Miller was named The Sporting News Fireman of the Year. This was originally said to be given to the player with the most Saves and Relief Wins but was voted on by the writers and thus subjective. In 1963 Miller led the league in saves with 27 and had 5 wins. Dick Radatz had 25 saves and 15 wins, all in relief. It appears as though the 1963 award was given to the player strictly with the most saves. Dick Radatz, the 1962 recipient of the award, had the the better overall record for a reliever. Radatz also had more strikeouts and a lower ERA. 

There were 3 pitchers tied for 3rd with 21 saves, Bill Dailey of the Twins, Hoyt Wilhelm from the White Sox, and John Wyatt of the A's. Of the 3 Bill Dailey had the best overall record at 6-3 with 72 K's and a 1.99 ERA. That was enough to earn him the 3rd spot on this fake card.

Wilhelm was 5-8 with 111 K's and a 2.64 ERA and Wyatt was 6-4 with 81 K's and a 3.13 ERA.

1963 Topps AL Leading Firemen: Radatz, Bridges, Fox, Wilhelm, Bell

Although the save would not become an official stat until 1969, The Sporting News began awarding the Fireman of the Year to relievers based on a combined total of saves and relief wins.

In 1962 the winner was  Red Sox rookie, Dick Radatz. Radatz had 9 wins and 24 saves in 1962 and was tied for 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting.

In 1962 Marshall Bridges had 8 wins and 18 save for the Bronx Bombers. Despite playing 7 years of Major League ball on 4 different teams, Marshall never appeared on a Topps baseball card.

Rounding out the top 5 relievers for 1962 were Terry Fox, Hoyt Wilhelm and Gary Bell.