Topps All-Star Misses: 1958 AL Infield

 The Topps All Star American League infield was the same in 1958, 59 and 60. Moose Skowron was at first, Nellie Fox at second, Luis Aparicio at short and Frank Malzone at third.  Unfortunately, the only year when that was the actual MLB starting All Star infield was in 1958.  For that reason, I'm give Topps a pass here, even though the only 1957 MLB starter was Nellie Fox. He was also the lone Sporting News All Star selection for 1958. The remaining 1957 starting All Stars were Vic Wertz at first, George Kell at third and Harvey Kuenn at short.  So here are their 1958 All Star Cards That Never Were:

1967 Topps Harvey Kuenn

 

I meant to post this after I posted the 1953 Rookies of the Year card. Kuenn Finished up his playing career as a reserve outfielder on the Phillies in 1966. I considered making this into a 1966 card but he had a card that year as a Chicago Cub. He started '66 in Chicago but was purchased by the Phillies early in the season. Philadelphia released him after the season. He later managed the Milwaukee Brewers to their first and only World Series appearance.

 

1975 Topps 1953 Rookies of the Year

 

Another in the recurring theme giving the ROY's the 1975 Topps MVP treatment. 

There wasn't a 1953 Topps card of Harvey Kuenn.  Topps made this one for the 1953 Archives set that was issued in 1991. It's not a very good representation of the '53 set, but using it here is somewhat reminiscent of the 1955 MVP card with Roy Campanella. On that card Topps used black and white photos instead of color. They also put him in an L.A. Dodgers cap instead of Brooklyn, but we won't get into that.

Harvey Kuenn, an 8 time all-star, led the league in hits in 1953 and took 23 of the 24 Rookie of the Year ballots cast. The remaining vote went to Tom Umphlett. A place holder for Ted Williams while he was serving in Korea, Uphlett hit .283 in '53, .219 in '54, .217 in '55 then spent the next 13 years in the minors.

Jim Gilliam won with fewer than 50% of the vote with 6 other rookies receiving votes. Gilliam led the league in triples in '53 and remained a Dodger for his entire career.