1952 AL MVP Bobby Shantz Autograph Signing at Shibe Vintage Sports

Last Friday Night Team Phungo checked out a Bobby Shantz Autograph Signing at Shibe Vintage Sports. 
 

1952 Topps #219 Bobby Shantz

This was definitely among one of the best best autograph signings I have ever attended. Bobby Shantz was beyond friendly, he was enthusiastic and funny. He discussed the 1952 Topps Card that I brought to sign and noted that it is one of the most common ones he received in TTM requests. The 1952 AL MVP inscription was his recommendation.

Discussing the 1952 Topps Card with Bobby Shantz (Photo stolen from Shibe Vintage Sports Facebook Site)

 

Shantz and Phungo

That is the 1952 AL MVP standing next to me, I am not that big a guy and he is standing on his tip toes. Shantz is listed as 5' 6" - Hard to believe anybody that size stuck around the majors for 16 seasons and struck out over a 1000 batters. 

Shibe Vintage Sports
Shibe Vintage Sports hosted Shantz as part of their first birthday celebration. Their store may be small but they have lots of great unique items and they have a friendly and helpful staff.

They have Phillies items of course, but they also have shirts and caps from the Philadelphia A's and the Negro League's Philadelphia Stars. Apparel options extend into all sports and they also have items related to historic Philadelphia Beers and Pubs. 

Sources and Links
Shibe Vintage Sports
baseball-ref

Philly Show 9/28

The Phily Show is all weekend but Team Phungo has been to busy to pitch the event. Hopefully we will be able to make an appearance on Sunday.

1961 Topps #473 Bobby Shantz

For those of you that collect autographs there are a number of former players appearing on Sunday. These players include a number of folks that we have been featuring in our 1964 Phillies retrospective. Scheduled for Sunday are Art Mahaffey, Bobby Wine, Frank Thomas, Costen Shockley Tony Gonzalez and Bobby Shantz  

If you think you will be at the show let me know via email or twitter - would love to meet fellow collectors.

Reviews of Past Philly Shows
2013 December
2012 December
2010 September
2010 March
2009 December
2009 December (special 1959 Topps Edition)
2009 Septembe

Bobby Shantz Autograph Signing at Philadelphia Athletics Museum

1961 Topps #473 Bobby Shantz

This Saturday July 14th the Philadelphia Althletics Historical Society is  hosting an autograph session with Bobby Shantz.  Bobby Shantz was the NL MVP in 1952.  He also pitched in the World Series as a Member of the 1957 and 1960 Yankees.  Shantz is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame and was profiled here last August.

Recently a couple of really nice Bobby Shantz posting have gone up on card blogs including these. 

Cards by Sooz

Baseball by the Letters

Drews Cards

Bobby Shantz is scheduled to appear at the A's society from 11:00a till 12:30p on Saturday.  For more information on signing click here.

Phungo Hall of Fame Profile Bobby Shantz 1961 Topps MVP

The Hall of Fame Profile posts are not restricted to the Hall in Cooperstown.  I also try and hit the various other Halls with a heavy dose of the Philly Sports Hall of Fame.  When I originally ran the Hall of Fame Thursday feature I chronicled the entire Philly Sports HoF 2008 class.  Today I would like to feature a member of the 09 Class Bobby Shantz. 

Shantz played half of his 16 year career with the Athletics - including 6 while the A's were based in Philadelphia.  He finished his career pitching a handful of innings for the ill-fated 1964 Phillies. Shantz's Best year was his MVP season of 1952 which is memorably featured in the 1975 Topps MVP subset with a reprint of his card from the seminal 52 set.  Shantz also has eight Gold Gloves on his mantle - He appared on the losing side of two World Series matchups as a pitcher for the Yankees. 

Bobby Shantz is still kicking at 85 years old.  He lives in the Philadelphia area and I see his name pop up frequently for autograph and card shows.

For the Collector

One of the vintage subsets I really like is the 1961 Topps MVP series.     

1961 Topps #473 Bobby Shantz

The subset is 16 cards including Mantle, Aaron, Willie Mays, Roy Campanella, Roger Maris, Banks and Yogi among others.  It is one of the subsets I have considered building for a while and really needed to checklist - so I have finally decided to stop procrastinating on that.

471. MVP -- Phil Rizzuto
472. MVP -- Yogi Berra
473. MVP -- Bobby Shantz
474. MVP -- Al Rosen
475. MVP -- Mickey Mantle 
476. MVP -- Jackie Jensen 
477. MVP -- Nellie Fox 
478. MVP -- Roger Maris
479. MVP -- Jim Konstanty
 480. MVP -- Roy Campanella
481. MVP -- Hank Sauer
482. MVP -- Willie Mays 
483. MVP -- Don Newcombe
484. MVP -- Hank Aaron
485. MVP -- Ernie Banks
486. MVP -- Dick Groat

  

If you would elect to build this set the Mantle card will likely be about half of the battle.  Fortunately, I imagine several of the lower level MVPs can likely be had for under a dollar.   I have picked up a few of these cards at shows and in auctions without really building the set and already have 6 of the 16 cards.  The biggest one in my collection is this pock marked Willie Mays. 

1961 Topps #482 Willie Mays MVP

Who's Autograph would You Stand in Line For?

1956 Topps #261 Bobby Shantz

As I mentioned earlier this week the Philadelphia SportsCard and Memorabilia Show is this weekend. In years past I have justified part of my admission by getting a complimentary autograph. Usually a lower tier player like Todd Pratt. This Saturday there will be no Free Autograph and I am curious who among the many signers you would consider standing in line for and handing over your hard earned cash.

Would you go the Cheap route and pick up an auto of Bobby Shantz (above) for $15?

Or go all out and get Cal Ripken ($132)

1992 Topps #40 Cal Ripken

1964 Topps #265 Jim Bunning

A more controversial choice may be Jim Bunning ($45)

The remaining signers are priced as follows:

Mickey Morandini $15 (Friday)
Von Hayes $15
Dickie Thon $15
Bob Feller $25 (Friday)
Jim Palmer $29

This is great - The crack staff at hat put together the web page over at Hunt Auctions describes Jim Palmer as 4 time Gold Glove Winner.

Not Hall of Famer, or 3 Time Cy Young Winner or even Six Time All-Star. Or how about this one Four Time World Champion! Nope Just Four Time Gold Glove Winner. They would go nuts if Jim Kaat was there.

For my time and money Shantz would be the way to go. I would also consider Palmer and Feller at those numbers. To me Bunning at $45 is insane money.

Speaking of insane the football prices on Sunday are all out of kilter Leonard Weaver $30 and DeSean Jackson $70??

Who would you pick, anyone, noone?

If you are planning on hitting the show, let me know. I am shooting for late morning and early afternoon on Saturday.