Topps All-Star Misses: 1962 AL Battery

Again with two mid season classics, there were several players that could have qualified for a Topps All Star card in 1962.  As a reminder, my criteria is that the player be a starter in the previous season's MLB All Star Game (In the case of pitchers the first righty and first lefty to appear in the game), or they be named to the current (in this case, 1962) Sporting News All Star roster. That is different than Topps criteria, which is, pretty much, a mystery. 

In 1962 Topps had All Star cards of Whitey Ford (LHP) who started the 1st All Star game in 1961. They also had a card of Frank Lary who was the first RHP to appear in relief in game one. At catcher they had Elston Howard who had a great year in 1961 and was named to the the 1961 Sporting News All Star roster.  However he started in neither 1961 ASGs nor was he a 1962 TSN All Star.

Here are 5 players who could've had cards in 1962:

Jim Bunning:

Bunning was the starter of the second All Star Game in 1961, he also pitched 2 innings in relief in the first 1961 ASG. He then went on to start the first ASG in 1962.  He was listed as reserve in game two but never left the bullpen.  

Dick Donovan and Ralph Terry were both named to the 1962 Sporting news All Star roster. Terry had a 23 win season in 1962 and was rostered for both '62 ASGs but never saw action. Donovan was similarly a reserve in both 1962 ASGs but unlike Terry, he pitched 2 innings in the first game of 1962. It mirrored his 1961 experience of being reserve for both games and pitching 2 innings of the first game.

Although Topps had Elston Howard on their 1962 All Star card, the actual 1962 Sporting News All Star selection at catcher was Earl Battey.  The starting catcher for both 1961 MLB All Star games was Johnny Romano.

Normally this is where I'd point out who didn't merit an All Star card.  I would lean toward Howard but seeing as though he was the Sporting News pick in 1961, I'll give Topps a pass.

1966 Topps All Star Cards : American League Battery

1966 Topps Milt Pappas All Star

To put it as gently as I can: Pappas had a rough start. He gave up a walk and 4 hits including 2 homers in the first inning. Despite spotting the N.L. a 3-0 lead, the loss would go to Sam McDowell. The A.L. tied the game at 5 in the 5th on a Harmon Killebrew homer. The Nationals overtook the A.L. in the 7th on a Ron Santo RBI single off McDowell.

1966 Topps Earl Battey All Star

In his 4th and final All Star start, Earl Battey ground out twice including a double play. In the 6th inning Bill Freehan came in to replace Battey. Freehan then went on to start every All Star game behind the plate from 1966-1972.

1964 Topps All Stars - The American League Battery

1964 Topps Ken McBride AS

Ken McBride was selected to the All Star team in 1961 and 1962 but would not see action outside the bullpen until he was chosen starting pitcher in 1963. Pitching the 1st 3 innings, he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and 1 hit batter. He would leave the game tied at 3. The loss went to future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning. Although Bunning pitched 2 hitless innings, he walked Tommy Davis who went to 3rd on an error by Bobby Richardson who was covering first on a slow-roller to third. Davis then scored the go ahead (unearned) run on a Willie Mays grounder to 1st.

1964 Topps Earl Battey AS

In 1963 Earl Battey was playing in his 3rd of 5 All Star games. He was 1 for 2 for the day with an RBI single driving in Frank Malzone for the tying run in the 3rd inning.

1963 Topps All Stars - The American League Battery

1963 Topps Jim Bunning AS

From 1957-1966 Bunning appeared in 9 All Star games. He surrendered only 2 runs and 7 hits in 18 innings.  As the 1962 game one starter he gave up only 1 hit in 3 scoreless innings, a double to Roberto Clemente.

1963 Topps Dave Stenhouse AS

The game 2 starter, Dave Stenhouse didn't fare as well. In his only All Star appearance he hit the lead off batter and surrendered a run on 3 hits and a walk over 2 innings. Including a double off the bat of opposing pitcher Johnny Podres.

1963 Topps Earl Battey AS

In 1962 Earl Battey earned his 3rd Gold Glove and was selected to his first All Star team. He was 0 for 2 in both games but reached base on a walk and scored in game 2.