Baseball Daily Card Gazette
Read and learn about the history of the game, through cards. Remember... you heard it here first!
HALL OF FAME SLUGGER REACHES MILESTONE
Little Phil hasn't changed in appearance since the day he first joined the Yankees in 1941. One of the smallest major leaguers. In his 10 seasons with the Yankees - he spent some time in service - he has appeared in 8 World Series. He's a great fielder, a dangerous man with a bat, a speed boy and the best bunter around. He was the AL's Most Valuable Player in 1950.
Upon his graduation from Holy Cross College, in 1930, Gene Desautels joined the Detroit Tigers and caught in 42 games that year. He was farmed out to the Columbus team of the American Association, catching for them in 1931. The following year, Desautels was recalled by the Detroit Tigers and was understudy to Ray Heyworth during 1932 and 1933. In 1934 he was the catcher for the Toledo Club, Hollywood in 1935 and San Diego in 1936 with whom he acquired a batting average of .319. Gene joined the Boston Red Sox in 1937, taking over the regular catching job after Rick Ferrell was sold to Washington. His five-year major-league record shows that Gene has caught in 304 games, getting 218 hits for an average of .248.
It's been a long and distinguished career in baseball for Phil, all of it spent in his home town of Chicago - and the career is by no means over. In 1954 Phil got in 71 games and hit a good .316. He had 3 home runs among his 50 hits and he batted in 24 runs. Phil, besides being a dangerous stick man, is one of the most graceful first baseman in the game. He started his career with the Cubs back when a lot of today's stars were children.
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One of the finest hurlers of the past ten years, Bob had the most A.L. Wins in 1950 and tied for the lead in 1954 and 1955. In the 1948 World Series he won 2 games and has pitched in four All Star Contests.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Q: What two players recorded 3,000th hit a day apart?
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Q: Which team holds the record for consecutive World Series games won?
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Injuries hampered the National League All-Star last semester but Ron is in tip-top shape once again in '66. In 1963 and 1964, the 2nd sacker led the Mets in batting and was voted team M.V.P. by the New York fans. As a National League freshman, Ron finished second in the Rookie-of-the-Year sweepstakes.
Ron was purchased from the Braves' organization
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
Shortly after the 1952 season began, "Red" was traded from the Cardinals to the Pirates. As a Cardinal in 1951, he was in 23 games, winning 4 and losing 6. He pitched 95 innings, striking out 44 batters and walking 46. Began in 1937, came to the Cardinals in 1943.
Comes up in 1952 from the Coast League where he played for Hollywood in 1951. Had a batting average of .328. Drove 100 tallies over the plate. George began in baseball in 1946 with Ogden, Utah. Broke in as a first baseman in Dodgers' organization. Drafted by Browns.
Cookie was Philadelphia's top utility player until his big bat earned him a regular spot in the Phillies' lineup. The infielder-outfielder developed into one of the club's top hitters last year.
Cookie had the best fielding pct. in the I.L. in 1961
Richie laced a 102-mph single for his first MLB hit in his first at-bat. He topped it in his second when he doubled as his parents were being interviewed on TV. His advanced approach was demonstrated at NCAA Towson when he walked 52 times in 55 games, with just 16 Ks.
Richie's brother Josh is in the Blue Jays system.
RETRO CORNER
Great pitcher and timely batter. When he isn't taking his turn in the pitcher's box he's apt to be up swinging a bat for another player in the pinch. Last year pitched 31 games, winning 13 and losing 17 for a tail end club in Cincinnati. Batted .286 in 76 games. Is a left-handed hitter, but throws right-handed. Is 30 years old, five feet nine and one-half inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. Hails from Nashville, Tenn. Loves to hunt in the Winter months. Has pitched for the Reds for more than seven years.
The highest position player drafted out of a Michigan high school since Derek Jeter, Nick began his pro journey in the Cardinals system before signing with the Mets as a Minor League free agent in November 2021. He went 2-for-4 with a homer in his first Triple-A game with his new organization on April 14, then was called up to Citi Field the next day.
Tall and lanky, Jim Merritt figures to win a spot in The Twins' starting rotation this season. As a 22 year old rookie with Minnesota in '64, the youngster impressed the front office and opposing batters with his good stuff and control. Jim averaged eight strikeouts per game as he compiled a fine earned run average for The Twins last year.
Mickey ranks seventh among the all-time home run hitters. He has won 3 A.L. MVP awards.
Mickey has hit 14 World Series homers.
MODERN ERA
Long a punisher of right-handed pitchers, Jake took his power numbers to new heights in 2023, setting career bests for homers, doubles and RBI. He also became the first Reds right fielder to post a 20-steal season since Reggie Sanders in 1996. "He's not afraid of any situation," skipper David Bell observes. "It's so much fun watching him play that way."
Robin's strong right arm helped the 1951 Phillies salvage some satisfaction from a season that was mostly disappointment. He chalked up a 21-15 record. Started the most games in the league (39). Pitched the most innings (315). Record an earned run average of 3.03.
Drafted from the Pirates' organization in 1964, Ron is one of the game's better defensive receivers. He has a real strong arm!
Ron led the International League in assists in 1964
80s-90s ERA
Named A.L. Starting 2nd baseman for the 1980 All-Star Game, Paul hit .353 from 7th inning on in 1980.
Gary Roenicke handled 205 chances in the outfield without an error in 1980. On Sept. 26, 1981, Bobby...
Josh settled in nicely in right field in 2023, collecting extra-base hits and steals at a steady clip. On May 11, he ripped a bases-clearing double and two-run bomb in consecutive at-bats against the Yankees.
Johnny won more than twice as many games last year than he did in his past 3 pro seasons combined! After signing as a $65,000 bonus player, he pitched only 4 innings for the Braves in '48 without a decision. Although he didn't have a winning season in '49, Johnny finished with a low 3.56 ERA. A six man deal brings him to the Giants for '54.
During the Spring of '47, Johnny's father took him on a tour of all the major league training camps. John was such a gre...
The swift-throwing youngster paced the Los Angeles Dodgers' staff with 227 strikeouts while tossing six shutouts during the 1968 campaign.
In 1964, Bill pitched a no-hitter for Spokane.
CLASSIC vs. MODERN
CLASSIC ERA
When the chips were down in the pennant race last year, Lonny Frey came through at second base with flying colors for the Cincinnati Reds. He played grand all-around ball, batting a neat .291, the highest average he has ever attained over 100 games or more in the majors, and fielding .976, with 412 assists. "Lonny" drove in 55 runs for the Reds with 141 hits, scored 95 times, and hit 11 homers, 9 triples and 27 doubles. Frey started his big-time career with Brooklyn in 1933, played with the Chicago Cubs in 1937 and was sold to Cincinnati the next year. He was selected for the National League All-Star team last year.
MODERN ERA
Brady was part of a Royals staff that was the first in history to have five pitchers make a start for the team that drafted them in one season. Brady's slider lost over four inches of vertical movement down in the strike zone compared with 2020. The Royals hope minor adjustments here and elsewhere can rekindle his rookie promise.
Brady's FIP ERA was lower in 2021 than in 2020.
The veteran relief pitcher was signed by the Phils when he was just 16 years old. Steve began pitching professional ball in 1946.
Steve saved 5 games and was credited with six wins in 1965