Sy Berger
This announcement today from Marty Appel, one of the great baseball PR men:
Sorry to announce the passing early this morning of Sy Berger, 91, in Rockville Centre NY. Sy is considered the "father of the modern baseball card," having gone to work for Topps after graduating from Bucknell and then service in World War II, and designing the first Topps set of baseball cards at his kitchen table. He came to personally sign all the Major League players over the next 40 years, establishing the cards as an important part of American culture - and for many, the gateway to America's pastime. His greatest friend may have been Willie Mays, but he had beloved friendships with thousands of players.
Getting one's picture on a Topps baseball card meant you had "made it." Football followed, based on a handshake with NFL Commissioner Bert Bell - and then basketball and hockey. Sy handled entertainment products too, including the Beatles. He flew to London to meet with Brian Epstein, spoke Yiddish to him, and made a deal. There was Elvis, Michael Jackson, and much more. Death came peacefully in his sleep of natural causes. Survivors include his wife of 68 years Gloria, a daughter, Maxine Berger, her husband Mark Bienstock and their daughter Amelia…..a son, Glen and his wife Jeannie, and their children Jonathan, Sarah and Maxwell, and a son Gary and his wife Tipayawan, and their son Jeremy, plus two great grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.
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