Baseball Daily Card Gazette
Read and learn about the history of the game, through cards. Remember... you heard it here first!
LEGENDARY PITCHER DOMINATES SEASON
Used mainly in relief in 1951, George came to the Indians from San Diego. At San Diego in 1950, he had a 20-14 record, striking out 116. A World War II Veteran, he started in organized ball in '46, but didn't play in 1947. With Spartanburg in 1948, George won 18, lost 12 and had 112 Strikeouts to his credit. In 1949 at Oklahoma City, he fanned 112 again, while winning 16 against 7 losses.
Thomas William Leach, outfielder of the Chicago National League team, was born at French Creek, N. Y., November 4, 1877. His baseball career started in 1896, when he accepted a position with the Petersburg Virginia League Club. In 1898 he joined the Auburn New York State Club, and was sold to Louisville in the fall of that year. In 1900 he was transferred to Pittsburgh, and was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1912.
Gerry is a very valuable man to have around a pitching mound. His last three seasons have been his best since his first two years in-baseball. In 1951 his record was 19-13; in 1952 it was 17-14; and finally in 1953 he won 18 and lost only 9. Gerry began in baseball in 1941 with Boise of the Pioneer League and won 22 games, the most in the league. He also led in games with 39 and innings pitched with 261. He had a 20-10 record for Boise the next year.
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Devers needed a mere nine games in Triple-A before reaching Boston at 20 in 2017. He's ripped 166 XBHs and driven in 228 runs in both of his 500-PA seasons, the latest of which was 2021, when he was an AL All-Star and Silver Slugger awardee.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Q: Who hit the most singles in one season?
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Q: How many runs did Guy Hecker score, 8-15-86?
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Dick, in the Army last season, made the big jump to the Red Sox from the Class-D Marion (0.) team within 1 year. Called up to the Sox after a 7-1 record at Louisville early in '52, he beat the Yanks with a 4-hitter in his 3rd Major League start and finished the season with a 5-5 mark. Starting in pro ball at Marion in '51, he had a 21-5 record and fanned 212.
In the Minors, batters sometimes got to Dick because he "tipped off" his pitches much too often! He learned how to shiel...
STOLEN BASES
1,406 Steals
Rickey Henderson stole 1,406 bases in his career, far more than any other player. His speed and base-running intelligence were legendary.
Baseball History Highlight
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VINTAGE SPOTLIGHT
"Rocky" was bought from Montreal last season after winning the International League's Most Valuable Player Award. He was 2nd in Homers and tops in Runs Batted In. In the Little World Series, he hit .647. "Rocky" previously had Major League trials with the Cards, Pirates, White Sox and Dodgers. At Lynchburg in '47 he led the Piedmont League in Hitting with .371.
A broken ankle in Montreal almost put Rocky out of baseball! But his ankle mended, and he came back ...
Over a decade in Colorado beginning in 1995, Larry instituted new franchise marks for AVG (.334), OBP (.426) and SLG (.618). The all-tools outfielder took NL MVP honors in 1997 with a .366-49-130 line, while also earning one of his seven fielding awards.
"Up among the leaders in National League fielding last year was Hugh Critz, a Starkville, Miss., boy who crashed into professional baseball in 1920 with Chattanooga in the Southern League and has been playing second base ever since. He entered the National League via the Cincinnati gate and has been with the Giants since 1930. He finished 1933 as one of the two best fielding second base- men with an average of .982. As a boy Hugh was keen on pitching, but when he got into professional baseball he just gravitated to the infield and has been there ever since. He is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs around 150 pounds."
In 65 games following the 1972 All-Star Game, Chris went 80-for-257 for a 311 batting clip with 4 Homers, 17 Doubles & 23 RBI's. At the end of last season he had taken over as the Indians' most consistent hitter. During another 13 game stretch he went 24-for-55 for a 436 average with 11 RBI's during that span. He was AL's top hitter in September, 1972.
Chris collects phonograph records.
RETRO CORNER
One of 18 children, Tommy began his pro ball career at the age of 17 with Fresno. After coming out of the Service in '45, Tommy hit .338 for Flesno and led the California State League in Stolen Bases with 64. He played for Houston in '47 and came up to the Cards after hitting .287 and 18 Homers for Columbus in '48. Tommy hit .267, .288 and .183 for the Cards in '49, '50 and '51. The Phils obtained the versatile infielder after the '52 season.
Became a regular with Indians in 1938 after two years in minors, and excepting 1945 when he was. in service, has been their third baseman ever since. A top fielding third baseman, he holds many records. Last season was one of his best at bat when he hit .297 in 153 games. He hit 31 homers. His best major league average was .325 in 1939. Has been on seven All-Star teams.
The southpaw came to the Senators along with Mike Epstein in '67. Frank's top job in 1968 was a two-hit, 11 shutout inning performance vs. the Twins.
The Yankees obtained Dick from the Astros last season in exchange for Dooley Womack. A speedster, Dick hit 42 home runs in his 2nd year in pro ball.
Dick was part of the deal that brought Frank Robinson to the Orioles.
MODERN ERA
Matt, full strength again after two injury-impaired seasons, exploded back into offensive form in 2014 to finish second on the Dodgers in home runs, RBI and doubles.
Matt played basketball on a 2-time state title team in Oklahoma.
Was selected as Royals' Player of Month for June of 1978 when he went 40-for-125 for .320 Avg. Hit 3 Homers in Game 3 of 1978 A.L. Championships vs. Yankees.
Tarik has quickly emerged as one of the best pitchers in the American League. In a 32-start span from 2023 to 2024, basically equivalent to a full season, Tarik was 16-6 with a 2.60 ERA and a 31% strikeout rate, which is about eight points better than average. His walk rate in the period was 4.7%, little more than half the League average.
Tarik dominated the Yankees over six innings with 12 K's and 0 BBs, 5-5-24.
80s-90s ERA
Even though he did not bit for a high average in '93, Todd showed significant improvement in just about every one of his offensive statistics. He had career-highs in BA, runs, bits, triples, home runs and RBIs. In April, Todd smashed three home runs in three successive days. Then, in September Todd smacked his first grand slam and drove in five runs against the Cubs in an 8-3 victory. Todd, who is only 24, is an exceptional defensive catcher with a strong, accurate arm.
The hard-throwing righthander was used in short relief, long relief and as a spot starter last year. It was a tough season for Joe, as military duty often kept him away from the ballpark.
Known as the 'Phantom', Roy established himself as one of Baseball's best shortstops when the Redlegs brought him up from Tulsa in '51. He led the N.L. Shortstops in Assists in '52 with 495 and again in '53. Last season he also topped the League in Double Plays with 114. Roy broke into pro ball in '47 and in '48 hit .307 for Tyler.
Although Roy played only softball, a friend invited him to try out for the Redlegs. They tried him at shortstop and Roy ...
The rookie outfielder displayed great power as he finished 5th on the club in homers after coming up late in the 1965 campaign. Roger, a good gloveman, has led two minor leagues in putouts.
Rpger was 2nd in homers in the Sally League
CLASSIC vs. MODERN
CLASSIC ERA
Led Pioneer League 3rd basemen with 51 Putouts, 109 Assists & 10 D.P.'s at Ogden in 1968. Led Pioneer League with 20 Homers, 59 Runs Batted In and 151 Total Bases in 1968.
Steve attended Michigan State University.
MODERN ERA
After Seattle tacked on the go-ahead tally in the eighth inning against Baltimore on May 4, 2021, Lewis did more than enough to sew up the triumph. He blasted a three-run shot the other way on the first pitch he saw, extending the home team's lead with what proved the difference in the Emerald City squad's 5-2 win.
The big righthander led The Twins with 13 complete games and five shutouts in '65. As an Indian, Jim had beaten The Twins 22 times!
Jim won two games in the '65 World Series