The Good Book

[1963Topps Set]

The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book by Fred C. Harris And Brendan C. Boyd came out in 1973 when I was 10 years old.

I had a copy and this really intensified my love of the cards of the 1950s and 1960s. I also enjoyed the little stories that went into each card. This book has been reprinted and a must have for anyone who loves the post war cards.

I just wish they would do a sequel!

[Gr8Beldini]

Who the hell is Cuno Barragon and why are they saying those terrible things about him?

[ALR-bishop]

One of the great debates in baseball concerns who was the better pitcher, Coot Veal or Cot Deal

[JollyElm]

"Goodnight, Sibby Sisti, wherever you are."

[1963Topps Set]

Kenny Hubbs, the Buddy Holly of baseball....

[Griffins]

Just wanted to see if you were paying attention
Is he stoned? is his hair too tight?

[toppcat]

Bubba Bubba Bubba Bubba Bubba Bubba

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I just wrote Cuno Barragon and received one of the nicest responses ever from an old player. Really classy guy.

I had his 1962 Topps card and the name seemed so strange that I started looking for him in the box scores back in 1963. Just decided to write him a few weeks ago and I am glad that I did!

[JollyElm]

I just wrote Cuno Barragon and received one of the nicest responses ever from an old player. Really classy guy.

I had his 1962 Topps card and the name seemed so strange that I started looking for him in the box scores back in 1963. Just decided to write him a few weeks ago and I am glad that I did!

Come on, we need more than that!!! LOL. What'd he say?

[1963Topps Set]

Where is he now? How old is he?

[brian1961]

Great book, indeed. From memory, I just can't get their one sentence write-up of Whammy Douglas's 1958 Topps card, as well as the write-up of Tom Tresh, out of my mind. Laughing so hard m' shoulders are shaking!:D ---Brian Powell

[byrone]

I seem to always come back to their quote about Bo Belinsky...

"What he could have done in baseball had he been serious about the whole thing is entertaining speculation, but since Bo didn't really seem to have cared, why should we?"

I'm afraid I've used that same thought process about many people I know.
"If they don't care, why should I".
Not necessarily a good way to think about some people, but maybe it helps me be more patient

[LeftHandedDane]

I was absolutely obsessed with that book! I must have read it dozens of times, and I can safely say it is the primary source of my lifelong love of collecting cardboard. Sheer genius!

[cardinalcollector]

"Choo-Choo Coleman was the quintessence of the early New York Mets. He was a 5'8", 160-pound catcher who never hit over .250 in the majors, had 9 career home runs, 30 career RBIs, and couldn't handle pitchers. Plus his name was Choo-Choo. What more could you ask for?"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-Topps-27-Choo-Choo-Coleman-Mets-NM-/281480822446?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item4189907eae

[Exhibitman]

My uncle got me a copy when it came out in softcover and I read it until it fell apart. Totally kindled my love for vintage Topps and Bowman cards. A few years ago I was staying with my uncle before heading to Baltimore for the National and I saw the book on the shelf in the study where I was crashing. Spent a lovely hour re-reading it.

[1963Topps Set]

I would love to see a complete list of the cards in the book. I have tried several times to do this, but can't seem to get the job done.

[mrmopar]

I have many of the cards pictured in that book in my collection only because of the book and later started getting signed copies of many of them.

I remember just loving that 1964 Topps Phil Linz card at one point and I was a Dodger fan!

My original copy that I got in grade school through the Scholastic Book Order, I think (one of several versions I own)…

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a81/mrmopar/My%20Collection/Flipping.jpg (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/mrmopar/media/My%20Collection/Flipping.jpg.html)

[1963Topps Set]

I really fell in love with the 1956 Topps Herb Score card because if that cover. Doesn't he just seem so happy?

[the 'stache]

I have to say I absolutely love this book. A board member (I think it was Cardboard junkie) sent it to me a number of months back, and I've read it through all the way at least twice. It's a first edition copy. When I have a prolonged stay in the men's room, it often accompanies me there. He also sent me a '65 Bo Belinsky card. I'd never heard of either the book, or Belinsky before. Now they're both greatness.

Favorite passages?

Herbie Plews is perhaps my favorite all-time second-rate ballplayer, just nosing out Chi Chi Olivo and Lou "The Nervous Greek" Skizas. There was something almost heroic about the stupefying mediocrity of his play, the polished indifference of his skills, which could, on occasion, move me almost to the brink of religious ebullience. It's no use trying to describe the feeling-- you'd really have to have been there to appreciate it.

http://www.williamgregory.net/images/laughing.gif

[the 'stache]

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3425/cqr1Zp.png

My copy of said book, provider of countless hours of enjoyment thus far, and many more hours to come.

[Rickyy]

I like many others got charged up about bb cards after purchasing this book as a kid.... I still own my tattered copy....and also bought a nicer one for my bb paperback collection.

Ricky Y

[darkhorse9]

I am only a dozen or so cards cards away ftom accumulating every card pictured in that book. The two 1952 high numbers eill be my challenge. I need a few of the 1951 Bowmans as well.

[the 'stache]

^^^ that would be a great project.

[toppcat]

I am only a dozen or so cards cards away ftom accumulating every card pictured in that book. The two 1952 high numbers eill be my challenge. I need a few of the 1951 Bowmans as well.

Thought about doing that once myself, even compiled the list but never pulled the trigger. I think a couple of guys here have done it.

[darkhorse9]

I call this a "lazy project." I don't put a lot of effort into it unless an opportunity arises.

I did indeed compile a complete checklist . There are 243 cards pictured in the book. I need 31 of them

If anyone is interested in contributing to the cause to help me out, the ones I need are noted below. They're Topps cards unless noted

1940 Play Ball Van Mungo (need)
1951 Bowman Alfonso Carrasquel
1951 Bowman Andy Seminick (need)
1951 Bowman Bubba Church (need)
1951 Bowman Cal Abrams (need)
1951 Bowman Early Wynn
1951 Bowman Ed Stanky
1951 Bowman Ewell Blackwell (need)
1951 Bowman Granny Hamner
1951 Bowman John Bernadino (need)
1951 Bowman Ned Garver
1951 Bowman Sal Maglie
1951 Bowman Sibby Sisti
1951 Bowman Vic Wertz (need)
1952 Bowman Harry Lowrey (need)
1952 Bowman Roy Campanella
1952 Bowman Sam Jethro (need)
1952 Al Zarilla (need)
1952 Bill Nicholson (need)
1952 Bill Pierce
1952 Bob Kuzava
1952 Bobby Thompson (need)
1952 Clint Hartung
1952 Clyde Kluttz
1952 Curt Simmons
1952 Eddie Miksis
1952 Eddie Waitkus
1952 Eddie Yost
1952 Enos Slaughter (need)
1952 Ferris Fain (need)
1952 Frank Crosetti (need)
1952 Gus Niarhos
1952 Gus Zernial (need)
1952 Hoot Evers (need)
1952 John Antonelli (need)
1952 Johnny Lipton
1952 Johnny Sain (need)
1952 Larry Doby (need)
1952 Les Moss (need)
1952 Maurice McDermott
1952 Pete Reiser (need)
1952 Ralph Branca (need)
1952 Sherm Lollar
1952 Stan Rojek
1952 Ted Beard (need)
1952 Richie Ashburn (need)
1952 Vern Law
1952 Vern Stephens
1952 Willie Jones (need)
1953 Bob Del Greco
1953 Bowman Bobby Avila (need)
1953 Bowman Joe Garagiola (need)
1953 Satchell Paige
1954 Bowman Billy Cox
1954 Bowman Billy Loes
1954 Bowman Bob Friend
1954 Bowman Earl Torgeson
1954 Bowman Gus Bell
1954 Bowman Joe Nuxhall
1954 Bowman Nellie Fox
1954 Bowman Solly Hemus
1954 Charlie Silvera
1954 Cot Deal
1954 Frank Leja
1954 Jim Delsing
1954 Joe Black
1954 Mike Fornieles
1954 O'Brien Twins
1954 Ted Kazanski
1955 Ted Williams
1955 Bill Consolo
1955 Bowman Barlick
1955 Bowman Boggess
1955 Bowman Chylak
1955 Bowman Dascoli
1955 Bowman Hubbard
1955 Bowman Secory
1955 Bowman W. Schantz
1955 Camilo Pascual
1955 Gene Conley
1955 Harry Agganis
1955 Jim Gilliam
1955 Lauren Pepper
1955 Rip Repulski
1955 Sandy Koufax
1955 Spook Jacobs
1955 Wayne Terwilliger
1956 Al Silvera
1956 Carlos Paula
1956 Dale Mitchell
1956 Dave Philley
1956 Dick Brodowski
1956 Ernie Oravetz
1956 Fred Hatfield
1956 Hank Bauer
1956 Harry Simpson
1956 Herb Score
1956 Jackie Robinson
1956 Jim Busby
1956 Minnie Minoso
1956 Russ Meyer
1956 Toby Atwell
1956 Topps Whitey Lockman
1956 Wilmer Mizell
1957 Clint Courtney
1957 Dave Sisler
1957 Del Ennis
1957 Dusty Rhodes
1957 Ed Bouchee
1957 Elmer Valo
1957 Hank Aguirre
1957 Harridge/Giles
1957 Jack Meyer
1957 Moe Drabowski
1957 Paul Smith
1957 Robin Roberts
1957 Ruben Gomez
1957 Ted Kluszewski
1958 Bob Cerv
1958 Bob Shaw
1958 Carl Furillo
1958 Carlton Willey
1958 Dale Long
1958 Dick Hyde
1958 Don Larsen
1958 Foster Castleman
1958 Gail Harris
1958 Gino Cimoli
1958 Hal Griggs
1958 Harvey Kuenn
1958 Herb Plew
1958 Jim Brosnan
1958 Marv Throneberry
1958 Ray Narleski
1958 Rival Fence Busters
1958 Rocky Colavito
1958 Sam Espositio
1958 Sam Jones
1958 Sandy Amoros
1958 Series Hurlers
1958 Stan Musial AS
1958 Topps Steve Bilko
1958 Vic Power
1958 Whammy Douglas
1958 Yogi Berra
1959 Casey Wise
1959 Coot Veal
1959 Gene Stephens
1959 Hector Lopez
1959 Joe Jay
1959 Neil Chrisley
1959 Reno Bertoia
1959 Solly Drake
1959 Stan Lopata
1959 Walt Dropo
1959 White Sox Coach
1960 Chuck Estrada
1960 Dick Hall
1960 Don Drysdale
1960 Duke Carmel
1960 Johnny Unitas (need)
1960 Leon Wagner
1961 26-Inning Tie
1961 Billy Muffett
1961 Dick Farrell
1961 Eli Grba
1961 Ernie Banks AS
1961 Harvey Haddix
1961 Jackie Jensen MVP
1961 Jim Piersall
1961 Johnny Logan
1961 Ruth Homer
1961 Stu Miller
1962 Charlie Smith
1962 Chris Cannizzaro
1962 Cino Barragon
1962 Don Buddin
1962 Harry Chiti
1962 Jesus McFarlane
1962 Mike De La Hoz
1962 Paul Fotack
1962 Pumpsie Green
1962 Roger Craig
1962 Sammy Drake
1963 Albie Pearson
1963 Bill Skowron
1963 Billy Klaus
1963 Bob Tuttle
1963 Cal McLish
1963 Carroll Hardy
1963 Charley Maxwell
1963 Choo Choo Coleman
1963 Dick Stuart
1963 Felix Mantilla
1963 Galen Cisco
1963 George Brunet
1963 Harry Craft
1963 Jay Hook
1963 John Roseboro
1963 Ken Hubbs
1963 Lou Klimchock
1963 Mets Team
1963 Moorhead Rookie
1963 Rich Rollins
1963 Roberto Clemente
1963 Rocky Bridges
1963 Rod Kanehl
1963 Ryne Duren
1963 Tex Clevenger
1963 Tom Tresh
1963 Tommie Aaron
1963 Tracy Stallard
1963 Walt Bond
1963 Whitey Herzog
1963 Yanks Celebrate
1964 Bubba Phillips
1964 Caey Teaches
1964 Charlie Lau
1964 Don Mossi
1964 Doug Camilli
1964 Earl Battey
1964 Eddie Bressoud
1964 Jim Bouton
1964 Jim Gentile
1964 Joe Koppe
1964 Phil Linz
1964 Smoky Burgess
1965 Bo Belinski
1965 Casey Stengel
1965 Dave De Busschere
1965 Dave Nicholson
1965 Frank Baumann
1965 Masandri Murakami
1965 Woody Held
1966 Bob Purkey
1966 George Scott
1967 Bubba Morton
1967 Ozzie Chavarria
1968 Jim Gosger
1968 Ken Harrelson
1969 Aurelio Rodriquez
1969 Roy Face
1969 Walt Williams

[1963Topps Set]

Beautiful, many thanks for that!