Let me start by saying that Topps had no mystery players represented in the NL battery. Their 1961 All Stars included RHP Bob Friend who was the starting pitcher of the first ASG of 1960. They had Del Crandall at catcher who started both ASGs in 1960. At LHP they had Warren Spahn who was selected to The Sporting News All-Star roster in both 1960 and 1961. That being said there are still five potential inclusions to this subset from the NL Battery alone.
- On the NL All Star roster for both games on 1960.
- Was the first lefty to come on in relief in ASG 1 in 1960.
- On the NL All Star roster for both games on 1961.
- Led NL with 2.70 ERA in 1960.
- On the NL All Star roster for both games on 1960.
- Was the first lefty to come on in relief in ASG 2 in 1960.
- Was 14th in NL MVP voting in 1961.
- Led NL in Win/Loss % in 1961.
- On the NL All Star roster for both games on 1960.
- Was the starting pitcher in ASG 2 in 1960.
- 1960 Cy Young award winner.
- Was 6th in NL MVP voting in 1960.
- Led NL with 18 complete games in 1960.
RHP Joey Jay:
- On the NL All Star roster for both games on 1961.
- Named to The Sporting News All Star roster in 1961.
- Led NL in Wins with 21 in 1961.
- Led NL in Shut Outs with 4 in 1961.
- On the NL All Star roster for both games on 1960.
- Was 20th in NL MVP voting in 1960.
- Starting catcher in both 1961 ASGs.
- Named to The Sporting News All Star roster in 1961.
My latest project is making All Star Cards That Never Year for the years 1958-62 and 1968-70. During those years Topps decision making on these cards was haphazard and a mystery to everybody but Topps. They were NOT based on the current season's "Sporting News All Stars" nor the previous season's ASG starters. So I've made additional cards based on this criteria.
Smoky Burgess - one of the great baseball names! Good to see his updated card. At first glance, I wanted to say these 4 pitchers only had one 20 game win season, but after checking, Jay had two 20 game win seasons and Podres had none.
ReplyDeleteNo Hall of Famers this time, but that is why I like these kind of cards, along with league leader cards. They capture a time when these lesser known players were at the top of their game and playing at the same(ish) level as some of the superstar Hall of Famers we all remember.
ReplyDeleteAgree!
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