Phun Cards - Bob Uecker

1967 Topps #326 Bob Uecker 

I knew that Bob Uecker played baseball, but until I starting delving into vintage cards I never knew he played for the Phillies.

Uecker's playing career was not long nor was it noteworthy.  He was a catcher for 6 seasons from 1962 through 1967 compiling a .200 batting average. Half of his 14 career Home Runs were hit in the 1966 when he played for the Phillies.  Uecker was the back-up to Tim McCarver on the St Louis Cardinals World Championship Team, but he did not actually play in any series games. 

Most people know Bob Uecker as an off the field celebrity featured on TV and film - Most notably as Harry Doyle in the late 80s comedy "Major League" (and it's sequals). 

Uecker is also well known to Brewers fans as the radio play by play voice.  He has done work in TV at a national level as well, including scattered playoff games that I can vaguely remember over the years. 

In 2003 Uecker received the Ford C Frick Award for Broadcasting from the Baseball Hall of Fame.  This Year the Brewers plan to honor Uecker with a statue outside of Miller Park, The unveiling is planned for August 31 of this year.

For The Collector

I think the 1967 Topps Card above I either received in trade or found at a card show.  This is the final card Topps issued of Uecker during his playing career.  This card has a pretty good crease running down the center, and likely could be found in a dime box.  I imagine one could find a good condition 67 Uecker for a dollar without much looking.

The bulk of his cards were with the Cardinals.  His1963 Topps rookie card features him with Milwaukee's first major league team the Braves.   Recent low sale for the RC was $4.10

Essential Collection

 

This makes the essential collection based off of Uecker being an off the field Icon and on a Phils Card. 

 

A card of the Natural  
Minnie Minoso with his birth name of Orestes

A card for your Team Collection with an Off Field Icon

 

Sources:

Baseball-Reference Bob Uecker Page

Wikipedia Bob Uecker Page

 

 

Phun Cards 1953 Topps Orestes Minoso

1953 Topps #66 Orestes Minoso

This is the second installment of my Essentials Collection.  I have seen Minnie Minoso's name raised a few times recently in conjunction with Jamie Moyer news items that mention older players seeing Major League action. 

For Minoso's part this was somewhat of a stunt returning to the game in 1976 after over a decade in retirement.  I recently found out that this was only partially for publicity.  According to the new biography Bill Veeck: Baseball’s Greatest Maverick, by Paul Dickson, It was also an opportunity to help improve Minoso's MLB pension benefts.  Minoso would again return to the White Sox in 1980 to become a 5 decade man.  In 1993 Bill Veeck's Son Mike Veeck lured Minoso out of retirement one further time to play for the Independent league St Paul Saints to add another decade to that total. 

Even without the several comebacks Orestes "Minnie" Minoso had a career of significance - and fall into that borderline Hall of Famer category.

The 9 time all-star's career totals include 1000+ Runs Scored and 1000+ RBIs - He fell just short of 2000 hits with 1963.  In 1954 Minoso led the league in Total Bases and finished 4th in the AL MVP voting.  Oddly he finished 4th in the MVP voting 4 different times including when he also finished 2nd to Gil McDougald for Rookie of the Year - McDougald finished 9th in MVP, go figure.  Minoso's other superlatives also included 3 Stolen Base titles and leading the league in Hits in 1960.

Orestes "Minnie" Minoso's final hit was in his 1976 return to baseball when he singled off of Sid Monge at the age of 50.

For The Collector

To have a great vintage collection, I think one should have an Orestes Minoso card.  On most of his Topps Cards Minoso is referred to as Minnie.  On both the '52 and '53 Topps cards Minoso is listed by his birth name Orestes.  

There are at least 4 recent ebay auctions in which Minoso's 53 Topps card (off conditon) went for under $10, with a low of $6.61.  I am not sure what mine went for me, I suspect in the $5 neighborhood.

I don't have a 1952 Topps Minoso, however I did find 3 recent auctions where the card sold for under $15.   

The Bowman cards from the era sometimes have Orestos listed on the back of the card, but none of them have that name on the front.  

Starting in 1956 Topps had Minoso as "MINNIE" including the quotes. After that he is simply Minnie.  

 

Minnie Minoso Player Collection Index

1977 Topps RB #232 (Oldest player to get a Hit in MLB Game)
2008 Topps Heritage Flashbacks #BF1 (image only part of box break)

Essential Collection
1952 Topps #158 Eddie Waitkus 
1953 Topps #66 Minnie Minoso

Sources
Baseball-Reference Minnie Minoso Page
Wikipedia Minnie  Minoso Page
SABR-Bio Project Minnie Minoso Page
Philly.com Book Review "Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick" 

Phun Cards 1952 Topps #158 Eddie Waitkus

What would you pay for a vintage baseball card of the player that inspired Bernard Malamud's classic novel "The Natural"?  What would that card be worth to you if it was from the classic 1952 Topps set?

1952 Topps #158 Eddie Waitkus


Without much effort you can get this card for under $10.  Unfortunately this particular card has a huge TW stamped on the back, but it has a fine looking front and minimal wear.  Really it is a beauty for any 1952 card, but this is a 52 Topps of a noteworthy player.


Yes, Eddie Waitkus is the inspiration for "The Natural".  The novel was of course turned into the classic film by Robert Redford who also starred in the titular role.


Check the back of the card, which goes into a lot more detail about Waitkus then a contemporary card likely would (click to enlarge):

1952 Topps #158 Eddie Waitkus (b-side - Image swiped from Baseball Card Database)




There it is the Eddie Waitkus story.  Really not the entire story that we know from "The Natural", but the crazy woman and the shooting is all there. There is also the mention of Waitkus' military service.


Near as I can tell Waitkus career didn't have a Knock out the Lights moment.  He was a member of the 1950 Whiz Kids and did get to represent the NL in the World Series.  Waitkus played 11 seasons in the majors.  During his tenure he collected 1214 hits of which only 24 were homers.

Finally
And Yes, I finally did it, I sponsored a Baseball-Reference page.  I figured for the amount of enjoyment and information  that I have gotten from the site, I was overdue for a sponsership.  

Only 2 people like the Eddie Waitkus Baseball-Reference Page.  That is ridiculous.  Go and Like his page.

Phun Cards - The Essential Collection

Phun Cards is basically my version Cardboard Appreciation.  For all the reasons documented above, I deem the 1952 Topps #158 Eddie Waitkus card a member of the Phun Cards Essential Collection.