You won’t find a lot of Johnny Vander Meer rookie cards featured in dealer cases at your next big card show. He’s not a Hall of Famer and his career record, while serviceable, isn’t spectacular. Vander Meer is famous for what he did over the course of a few days 84 years ago. Something no other big league pitcher had done before and something that will almost … [Read more...] about Despite Unmatched Claim to History, Johnny Vander Meer Cards Aren’t Pricey
1941 Double Play
Action Shots Threw a Curve in the 1941 Double Play Set
The 1941 Double Play baseball card set is one of the few wartime issues that was printed. Stuck somewhere in between the bounds of pre-war and post-war, the cards were distributed in the same year the United States entered World War II. The set was created by Gum Products, Inc. Pictures are in black and white or, as sometimes described, in a sepia tone. The popular 1940s … [Read more...] about Action Shots Threw a Curve in the 1941 Double Play Set
Finding John Lawsky: Message on 1941 Double Play Ball Card a Fun Vintage Mystery
Every picture tells a story. That’s an old Rod Stewart song, but a 1941 baseball card also has a mysterious tale behind it. Picture this: It’s like a message in a bottle. On the back of a 1941 Double Play card is a note written by John R. Lawsky of Athol, Massachusetts. “Who ever gets this card, bring it to 30 Fairview Ave. and as a reward you will get 5 … [Read more...] about Finding John Lawsky: Message on 1941 Double Play Ball Card a Fun Vintage Mystery
“The Boy Manager”: 5 Fun Cards Of Lou Boudreau
The Boy Manager would have been 100 on Monday. Lou Boudreau, who managed the Cleveland Indians to their last World Series title in 1948, was born July 17, 1917, in Harvey, Illinois. A Hall of Fame shortstop, he became the youngest manager in baseball history when he was hired for the 1942 season at the age of 24. Critics derided him as the “boy wonder” and the “boy manager,” … [Read more...] about “The Boy Manager”: 5 Fun Cards Of Lou Boudreau
Double Play Baseball Among Last Sets Before WWII
The 1941 Double Play baseball card set is generally recognized as the last prewar set. For collectors, this 75-card set is full of Hall of Famers — more than 30 — and stars of the day, including Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, both in their prime and rivals for postseason awards. The set, designated as R330, was marketed by Gum Products, Inc., of Cambridge, … [Read more...] about Double Play Baseball Among Last Sets Before WWII
DiMaggio Cards Were Scarce In Iconic 1941 Season
The beauty of baseball is that because of the game’s long, storied history, we can celebrate anniversaries of big events. And 75 years ago, at Yankee Stadium on May 15, 1941, Joe DiMaggio connected for an RBI single in the first inning against Chicago White Sox left-hander Eddie Smith. It didn’t draw much attention at the time since it was the Yankees’ lone run in a 13-1 … [Read more...] about DiMaggio Cards Were Scarce In Iconic 1941 Season
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1941 Double Play Baseball
When Gum Products, Inc. rolled out its 1941 Double Play baseball cards, the world was already in the throes of war and America was on the brink of joining in. Baseball captivated (and pleasantly distracted) the nation with two superstars stealing the show. Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games, setting the single season mark which still stand today, and Ted Williams … [Read more...] about Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1941 Double Play Baseball