For the 2016 postseason I am making Cards That Never Were of Hall of Famers from each team but with a couple of twists. The first twist is that they will appear on cards that coincide with the year they were inducted into Cooperstown. The second twist is that these are not the teams they are best known for playing.
1973 Topps Monte Irvin
Monte Irvin was selected in to the Hall of Fame in 1973, not only for his performance in the Major Leagues but also for his play in the Negro Leagues. Irvin broke the color barrier for the Giants as a 30 year old rookie in 1949. By that time he had already played 9 seasons of professional ball for the Newark Eagles plus served 2 years active military duty in 1943 and 1944. In 1951 he led the league with 121 RBIs and placed 3rd in MVP voting behind Roy Campanella and Stan Musial.
With his offensive numbers diminishing, the Giants sent him to the minor league Minor League Minneapolis Millers for the second half of the 1955 season. The Cubs shrewdly picked him up in the rule 5 draft. In 1956 he hit .271 with 15 homers in 111 games. A back injury forced him out of the game before the 1957 season at the age of 38.
With his offensive numbers diminishing, the Giants sent him to the minor league Minor League Minneapolis Millers for the second half of the 1955 season. The Cubs shrewdly picked him up in the rule 5 draft. In 1956 he hit .271 with 15 homers in 111 games. A back injury forced him out of the game before the 1957 season at the age of 38.
1985 Topps Hoyt Wilhelm
Hoyt Wilhelm was a well traveled Major Leaguer and a master of the knuckleball. In fact he played for both the Cubs and the Indians during his 21 year career. He was picked up via the waiver wire from the Cardinals in September of 1957 an played in Cleveland until August of 1958. He was again taken off waivers, this time by the Baltimore Orioles.
Used primarily as a reliever, he put up a 3-7 record with 6 saves for the Indians over 32 games. In all he pitched for 9 Major League ball clubs over his Hall of Fame career. In 1985 he was the first relief pitcher to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Used primarily as a reliever, he put up a 3-7 record with 6 saves for the Indians over 32 games. In all he pitched for 9 Major League ball clubs over his Hall of Fame career. In 1985 he was the first relief pitcher to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Again I'm a bit behind. This time because of a technical difficulty. But now I'm on a new computer and fortunately, I had already made these cards but never had a chance to create the post. I'm still in the process of transferring old files from my old hard drive to this computer. This may slow my postings down from the usual snail's pace.
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