1949 Leaf BB cards....show us your Leaf's
 

Most set collectors consider this set to be the toughest to complete of all the major post-war issues. I've posted this thread here in the pre-war section since this set
comprises of BB stars that played in every decade from 1897 to 1948.

There are 98 different subjects in this set (20 of them HOFers). These cards were issued in 2 series of 49 cards each. The first series was available very early in the
Spring of 1949. The 2nd (short-printed) series was very limited in its distribution during the Summer of 1949. These 49 cards were available only in four regions of
the country (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Eastern Massachusetts).

Anyhow, I have quite a sentimental attachment to these cards, since they were my very first colorized BB cards that I collected when I was a 10-year old kid.

I'll start this show with some of my favorites in my set. Looking forward to seeing your 1949 Leaf cards.



http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...DiMaggio50.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...iMaggio50b.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...abeRuth50x.jpg . http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...leafwagner.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...abeRuth25b.jpg..........http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...afPaige25x.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...fPaige25xb.jpg


TED Z
.

Those are awesome Ted..

My holy grail is the satchel Paige.... Being born and still living in Mobile.... He's an icon around here.
One day!........

Great thread. I love this set. I only have one but it is easily in my top 5 of my collection.
Drew

Beautiful cards Ted. The Joe D. is particularly amazing.

But why?
 

Honestly, I've never understood the attraction to this set. I think they are by far the ugliest post war cards ever produced. I would love to hear why so many collectors love this set. I am not judging or belittling anyone, I really have always wondered why so many revere this set like they do (and I mean from the visual aspect, not the player content, that I do understand). I can totally understand Ted's reasoning as it's part of his childhood and I respect that.

For me, they just evoke an image of the time. Despite all their numerous imperfections, i.e., color bleeds, stinko registration, over prints, mc and oc issues, always loved the set, always will. To each his own . . . That said, I only have one: Bob Elliott in SGC 84.

I've always enjoyed them since finding some at a flea market in 1977. I actually like the football issue even better, classic poses of players we seldom see.

My two favorite Leafs
 

Lucky to pick these up before prices went crazy. Definitely two of my favorite.

Troy

Have the entire set except Newhouser. Prices on that one, a short print, are just wacky. By year end hope to have a full set.

I love the Leafs. To me they always invoke Andy Warhol for some reason. Explosive colors. If you blew that Robinson card up and put it in the Warhol museum it would fit in just fine. My favorite post war set. Works of art to my eyes.

Damn. Lucky indeed.

Since a certain board member won't sell me his Williams, this is my only one so far.

Now you're talking!
 

This set, by far, has been the most interesting and enjoyable for me to collect.

A focused Feller. That is something.

In many cases it is an acquired taste. When I first got back into collecting ('98-'00), these didn't do much for me. However, over time I came to appreciate the appeal and relative beauty of these cards. Many are off register, so finding an example that's in good shape and registered can be tough, but they look so much better when everything lines up.

You also have minor and major color variations throughout the set, adding another nuance to the eye appeal factor. To me, they perfectly represent the time period, and the printing process resembles an Andy Warhol silkscreen to me.

1948 Leaf
 

Always loved these cards. Would love to pick up the other big three (Ruth / Robinson / Paige).

My one and only
 

It has some paper loss on the back, but nothing I can't live with.

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/t...pslk9eode2.jpg

Leaf Musial
 

My only Leaf card but one of my favorites...

Only have one...
 

Purchased several years ago.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...ackie-robinson

1949 Leaf BB cards....Cleveland HOFers
 

Of the twenty HOFers in the 1949 LEAF set, the Indians lead with these five HOFers......


Spring series cards

"MVP in 1948" **
http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...udreau25xb.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...oudreau25x.jpg.http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...eGordon25x.jpg



Summer series cards (short-prints)

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...afPaige25x.jpg..https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...eafDoby25x.jpg..http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...AFFeller25.jpg



** Note.... Trivia: What is unique regarding Lou Boudreau's MVP award ?

Furthermore, I bring Boudreau's 1948 MVP award to your attention, which is one of several factors that prove this LEAF set was issued ONLY in 1949. The graded card
flips (PSA, SGC, etc.) are absolutely incorrect with their "1948" date.

Boudreau's MVP award was announced in late December 1948. However, if you need more proof of the 1949 issue date, I refer you to my 8-page article published in
Old Cardboard titled "1949 R401 Leaf Gum Company: Most Challenging of all "R" sets" ? ...... Issue #9, Fall 2006.


TED Z
.

Great cards, guys.

As someone who appreciates mid-century pop art, I find this set mesmerizing. As someone who craves focus and centering, I find it infuriating.

My only two examples. Hoping CW posts his DiMaggio duo.

I had one many years ago, that I foolishly sold becuz Hal had four eyes, two in the middle of his forehead. Alas, haven't seen one since that I could afford.

Speaking of Hal, this is my only Leaf.
http://caimages.collectors.com/psaim.../Newhouser.jpg

My Paige, sold my Jackie earlier this year.
This was the one for me, the set is troubling with focus. And the Jackie also having wet transfer issues.

Leaf needs
 

If anyone has brecheen majeski or scheffing in psa 7s for sale
Im interested
Thanks

Wow Troy those are Niiiice! You win so far...

Imo
 

Most of the cards in this set have problems. PSA has chosen not to apply PD (print defect) or OF (out of focus) "qualifiers" to this set. The term "buy the card and not the holder" definitely applies when collecting 48-49 Leafs.

When I see a well centered, well registered short print it's a thing of beauty.

sweeeeet card Peter!

I am certain that a deal could be had .... seems like the members here are pretty cool.

The green Joe D
next to the red Teddy B
would certainly be
a sight to see

My Del Ennis rookie card.
Attachment 232318

Leaf
 

I love the Leaf set. Tons of variations with missing colors, strange tints, and they seem to be tough to find in top condition. I also love the 1948 and 1949 Leaf football cards. They are ugly but cool. The boxing cards are also interesting.

It's TUESDAY NITE TRIVIA time......
 

I'm reprising this post because there were no responses to my Trivia question......

What is unique regarding Lou Boudreau's 1948 MVP award ?

Leaf set
 

I have been putting together this set for the last several years. Before I started, I also felt it was "ugly" but after reading Ted Z's article and looking at the set some more I decided to jump in and really enjoy the set. I'm down to needing one more card to complete the basic set (need the Larry Doby card). As many mentioned, it can really test your patience with the print defects, centering issues, focus problems but it has become one set where those issues don't bother me as much. Here is a link to my set and a few cards that I like that haven't been posted:

http://www.collectorfocus.com/collec...leaf-baseball/

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...-tommy-henrich

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...enos-slaughter

Chris,
I can't shake the feeling that this Paige is going to end up in my collection one day :D

Dark BLUE or light BLUE....have your choice.
 

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...sialColors.jpg


http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...tBluexBlue.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ndillinger.jpg



And then, there is BLUE or no BLUE.

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...izellplatt.jpg


TED Z
.

I have a Wagner & a Williams but

here are the only two I have scans of:

Attachment 232339

Attachment 232340

I used to own several more but have been reducing my collection.

My lone example from the set ....

Attachment 232338

That is a cool Platt, Ted! I recall seeing a Musial with no color once as well, but I could be wrong.

I recall hearing about a "blue" Joe DiMaggio? Is that true?
I saw a yellow one in the last REA auction, which was nice, just not like a green Joe D.

Ok. I'll bite. Just a stab in the dark but was Lou Boudreau the only player/ manager to win an MVP?
Drew

Ted Z-

Thanks for dropping all the knowledge!


I'm fairly certain I wasn't farsighted enough to hold onto anything I ever paid less than a dollar for, much less a penny.

Bravo!

I dare say that not many other members could claim that distinction.

If so, those would be interesting stories to hear...I'd suggest a new thread...

'What's the most inexpensive vintage card you still have in your collection?'

Ray,

I'm not sure there is a consensus opinion regarding Ted's droppings, but his knowledge is always appreciated.

Ted,

Looks like your Fannin has a piece of Vern Stephens bat-

Drew

You got it....you're the Trivia King tonite.


TED Z
.

I thought that might be it but now I see it's actually printed one the back of his card. :p
Drew

[QUOTE=tedzan;1542379]Most set collectors consider this set to be the toughest to complete of all the major post-war issues. I've posted this thread here in the pre-war section since this set
comprises of BB stars that played in every decade from 1897 to 1948.

There are 98 different subjects in this set (20 of them HOFers). These cards were issued in 2 series of 49 cards each. The first series was available very early in the
Spring of 1949. The 2nd (short-printed) series was very limited in its distribution during the Summer of 1949. These 49 cards were available only in four regions of
the country (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Eastern Massachusetts).

Anyhow, I have quite a sentimental attachment to these cards, since they were my very first colorized BB cards that I collected when I was a 10-year kid.

Ted,
When did you discover there was a second series of the Leaf baseball set? Also, were all the Bowman 1949 series sold in your NJ hometown?

Here is my only one

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In 1949 in our neighborhood in New Jersey, the LEAF's were available in March. The BOWMAN's followed in April (or May). I remember this well because Spring training had started
when we were flipping our LEAF cards. Also, we played a game of scaling them against our front porch. Like horseshoes, the closest one to the first step would pick up all the cards.
If one of us got a leaner, the kid that knocked it down by aiming his LEAF card at it picked up all the cards.

Only the 1st series LEAF's were available to us. I had my original 49 cards in this LEAF cards set when I got back in the hobby in 1977. I acquired my first 2nd series LEAF card at
a 1982 card Show in north NJ from a dealer from Ohio. It was this Satchell Paige, and it cost me $200. Eight years later, I completed this set of 98 cards (and, its 3 variations).
I have completed a 521-card T206 set in less time than that !


And, to your 2nd question......all 5 series of the 252 cards in the BOWMAN set were available in our neighborhood during May thru September 1949.


http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...afPaige25x.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...fPaige25xb.jpg


TED Z
.

Ted
That's a neat story... That would be around my dad's age.

You need to get that Paige graded... It's a beauty..
I'm guessing you would get a 6 or 7.

That's high quality

Variations
 

Hey Ted....I find these two are interesting. Priddy with the all yellow background.
Wyrostek with some uniform detail. This might be unique. Maybe a pattern
card?

Hi Mike

Here's my normally green Billy Johnson with a yellow background.

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...sonsyellow.jpg

I'm not quite sure what you are noting on your Wyrostek card ?


TED Z
.

Wyrostek
 

It's the blue striping on his jersey. I have never seen another example with the stripes.

Hi Mike

I always assumed Wyrostek was printed with the striping on his jersey. My card does not have it....and, I will be on the look out for another that does have the striping.

But, I'm sure you have been doing that.

Thanks for posting your Wyrostek cards.


TED Z
.

Here are some more of my color printing flaws......
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...sonsyellow.jpg

And, do printing flaws get any wilder than this ?
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...ljohnson_1.jpg
TED Z
.

That's sweet. Looks less like a baseball card and more like an album cover from a 1980's Europop band.

1949 LEAF cards
 

The two Detroit Tigers HOFers......

. http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ewhouser25.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...whouser25b.jpg




Hey guys

I have completed 1.75 sets of these 1949 LEAF cards. And I will say that Kell and Newhouser and Doby and Kurowski and Paige are definitely the toughest
cards in the entire set. However, I really do not understand why these 5 are tougher than the other 44 cards in the 2nd series (since they were all printed
on the same 49-card sheet). Anyone on this forum have any ideas why this is so ?

Anyhow, if you guys have found some other LEAF's in this set just as tough as these 5, please chime in with your candidates.....Thanks.


https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...size/kurow.jpg.http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...afPaige25x.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...eafDoby25x.jpg


TED Z
.

Three more toughies.

I'm much closer to 2 sets than 1 as well. Brecheen has been the toughest for me to find in any kind of decent condition.

While we have a few eyeballs on this great set, here's my current wishlist of a few odds & ends. Will pay top dollar for any of these but even a scan posted of one of them would be a huge help towards finishing up a project.

Fannin with Joost Wrong Back (or vice versa) or
Sauer with Miller Wrong Back or
Henrich with upside down back or
Henrich MC back with 1949 Copyright shown above or
Joost MC back with 1948 Copyright shown above

I get really tired of the poor grammar on this site. Here are my "Leaves" . . .

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...pshum1iwrj.jpg http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...psxgeq7kdz.jpg http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps7o1zvbpr.jpg

Hey Sam

Better yet, how's about some psychedelic poster from the late 1960's :)

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...ljohnson_1.jpg
TED Z
.

1949 LEAF variations
 

All three of these variations are in the 1st series.

In early press runs Kent Peterson is depicted with a black cap. Later issues of 1st series cards, Kent Peterson is depicted with a Red cap.
My guess is LEAF changed the color of his cap to be consistent with the 3 other Cincinnati players in the 1st series. The Red cap version
is somewhat rare.

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...cincireds5.jpg



The Gene Hermanski card is rarely found misspelled "Gene Hermansk". This variation appears to be just a spelling error that was caught
early in the printing process.

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...77/abcleaf.jpg

The long-sleeve card of Aberson appeared in the early issues of the LEAF cards. The short-sleeve version appeared later in the game.
I tend to think that the short-sleeve Aberson cards are simply the result a printing flaw.

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...bersons25x.jpg



TED Z
.

My guess on Hermansk is a printing plate issue. If you line up a Hermansk and a Hermanski you will see they are perfectly aligned but the Hermanski is better centered within the text block. This partial "I" demonstrates the point.

Hi Mike

I agree that Pesky is considerably tough to find.

I'm not sure that Gustine is that tough.

Thanks for posting your Leaf's.


TED Z
.

Hi Steve

In the Old Cardboard magazine, in my article on this set, I present another take on the Hermanski variation.

The Hermanski card was located on the bottom right-hand corner of the 49-card LEAF sheet. In the printing process of this sheet, there were times when the letter "I"
did not print (or as your card shows, partially printed) due to the printing plate not making firm contact with the cardboard on that very lowermost corner of the sheet.


TED Z
.

I think that is the right idea, but maybe backwards? Don't forget that it is the text boxes that are printed, not the names. The names are just voids within the text box. A missing "I" would be from over-contact or too much ink.

Uncut sheet of 1949 Leaf BB cards
 

For many years we've known that these cards were skip-numbered, and that there are 98 different BB subjects.
But, in the Spring of '49....us kids had no idea how many cards we needed to complete this set. A premium adv.
on the back of some cards mentioned a 168-card album was available for mailing in a number of wrappers.
We kept spending our pennies buying LEAF cards by the 100's. It was a "nasty" marketing trick that LEAF Gum
played on us kids back then. My original collection had all 49 (1st series) cards and approx. 80 duplicates.


Here is an old photo of an uncut sheet of 1st series cards. Along with a diagram of the card #'s on their backs.


http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...eries1x50x.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ries1x50xN.jpg




TED Z
.

Pretty neat stuff Ted.

I've been studying the first series a bit trying to figure out the order of what to me looks like three printings, or maybe three sets of plates with some transitional cards using elements of two different groups. Having the major variations in some sort of order is huge.

The stuff I'm, looking at.

Pink vs Red and background differences like backgrounds extending along the players body or bat or not.

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=3315

And not only pink vs red, but dark blue vs light blue and similar background issues.

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=3316

I've suspected for a while that pink and those extensions of the background were earlier, pink changed because the target market would probably very much prefer red, and the little extensions removed to cut a bit of cost. Not saving much ink per card, but over a big press run it would add up.

There's other changes that are less obvious and that I don't have good scans for like shading on hats or not.

A fun set that I like, and one I like all the more for that complexity. I'll probably complete the basic regular cards someday, probably not the SPs.

Steve B

Hi Steve B.

Thanks for chiming in, and thanks for the compliment.


Here are other LEAF's from my 2 sets that have both shades of Blue.

The Musial card is mostly found with the Dark Blue color. Very rarely, a Light Blue one is found. I prefer the Light Blue version.


http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...sialColors.jpg



http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...tBluexBlue.jpg



http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ndillinger.jpg



And then, there is BLUE or no BLUE.

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...izellplatt.jpg


And if you're lucky (rarely in a "blue-moon") you can find a no-Blue LEAF card.

You got to love this stuff.


TED Z
.

Some great cards being posted. I only have one Leaf card but really love this set and will eventually add more. Here is my Jackie Robinson.
http://i.imgur.com/p2bTq6S.jpg?1

Leaf card back offers
 

Great post Ted Z. I've long admired these cards and have several Reds players in my collection, but I'm also an advanced Reds pennant collector of all shapes and sizes and this is the only pennant I own that measures 12" x 6". In my opinion, this is the Reds version of the pennant offer shown on the back of some Leaf cards. Wanted to hear yours and everyone else's opinion on the subject. I'm also interested in hearing what you have to say about the other premiums offered by leaf. Do you have any pics to share of these items?

my 2...

Here is my six. Just started this great set. Looking for centered ones in the new PSA holder.

Hi Chris

Great looking pennant you have there.

I've never gone after the pennants. I had a chance to get the 32-page LEAF album. But, I thought the price was too high, so I didn't get it. I sort of regret not purchasing it,
as it is very difficult to find this album.

I have the Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig HOF premiums. When I return home tomorrow, I will post pictures of them


TED Z
.

One of the AHs last year had a blue background DiMaggio which was very sweet. Kicking myself I didn't buy it.

If anyone wants to sell a nice Newhouser let me know.

1949 LEAF checklist (sorted by teams)
 

I've listed the 98 subjects (plus the 3 variations) as a function of their teams for those on his forum who are team collectors.

The 2nd series (short-print) cards are identified by an *


BOSTON BRAVES
----------------------
WARREN SPAHN
ALVIN DARK *
BOB ELLIOTT
TOMMY HOLMES *
HAROLD REISER *

BOSTON RED SOX
-----------------------
TED WILLIAMS
BOBBY DOERR
MATHEW BATTS *
DOM DiMAGGIO *
BILLY GOODMAN *
MICKEY HARRIS
JOHNNY PESKY *
VERN STEPHENS *

BROOKLYN DODGERS
---------------------------
JACKIE ROBINSON
GENE HERMANSKI
GENE HERMANSK (missing "I" variation)

CHICAGO CUBS
--------------------
CLIFF ABERSON
CLIFF ABERSON (short sleeve variation)
PHIL CAVRETTA *
FRANK GUSTINE *
EMIL LEONARD *
HARRY LOWREY *
BOB McCALL
ANDY PAFKO
BOB SCHEFFING *
JOHNNY SCHMITZ *
ROY SMALLEY
HARRY WALKER *

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
---------------------------
LUCIUS APPLING
FLOYD BAKER *
ORVAL GROVE *
CASIMER MICHAELS *
DAVE PHILLEY *
PAT SEEREY
RALPH WEIGEL

CINCINNATI REDS
-----------------------
BOBBY ADAMS *
EWELL BLACKWELL
TED KLUSZEWSKI
KENT PETERSON
KENT PETERSON (red cap variation)
HANK SAUER *
JOHNNY VANDERMEER
JOHN WYROSTEK *

CLEVELAND INDIANS
---------------------------
BOB FELLER *
LEROY PAIGE *
LOU BOUDREAU
LARRY DOBY *
HANK EDWARDS
JOE GORDON
JIM HEGAN
KEN KELTNER *
DALE MITCHELL *

DETROIT TIGERS
----------------------
GEORGE KELL *
HAL NEWHOUSER *
WALTER EVERS *
FRED HUTCHINSON *
FRANK OVERMIRE
PAUL TROUT
VIRGIL TRUCKS *
GEORGE VICO
DICK WAKEFIELD

NEW YORK GIANTS
------------------------
JOHNNY MIZE
LARRY JENSEN
SID GORDON *

NEW YORK YANKEES
---------------------------
BABE RUTH
JOE DiMAGGIO
PHIL RIZZUTO
TOMMY HENRICH *
BILLY JOHNSON
JOHNNY LINDELL
GEORGE STIRNWEISS

PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS
----------------------------------
LOU BRISSIE
SAM CHAPMAN
EDDIE JOOST *
HENRY MAJESKI *
BARNEY McCOSKY *
WARREN ROSAR
ELMER VALO

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
--------------------------------
DEL ENNIS
ED MILLER *
DICK SISLER *

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
----------------------------
JOHN WAGNER
RALPH KINER
KIRBY HIGBE *
JOHNNY HOPP
DANNY MURTAUGH *
EDDIE STEVENS *

ST LOUIS BROWNS
------------------------
BOB DILLINGER *
CLIFFORD FANNIN *
MIZELL PLATT
GERALD PRIDDY
AL ZARILLA *

ST LOUIS CARDINALS
---------------------------
STAN MUSIAL
ENOS SLAUGHTER *
HARRY BRECHEEN *
GEORGE KUROWSKI *
MARTIN MARION

WASHINGTON SENATORS
--------------------------------
JAKE EARLY
AL EVANS
SID HUDSON
EDDIE STEWART *



TED Z
.

Leaf did me a favor by not including that many Dodgers, although I have wanted a SP Reiser forever even though he is not a Dodger in the set.

1949 LEAF HOFer picture premiums
 

Hi Chris

The last time I saw any of the Pennants that LEAF Gum offered, I was very young. They really are very rare. Your Cincinnati pennant looks like what was offered by LEAF.
And, it certainly measures correctly.

The 32-page LEAF album premium is seldom seen. Both the Album and the Pennants were mail-in items, and this may have something to do why these items are so rare.

The HOFer's picture premiums were available at our corner candy stores. These premiums were inside the 24-count wax pack boxes. Kids would get a HOFer's picture by
simply giving the store manager ten LEAF wrappers and requested a certain ballplayer.

Also, I've heard that some generous store managers would reward a kid with a HOFer premium when that kid purchased the very last wax pack(s) in the box.

Here are my 3 premiums....two Babe Ruth pictures, and the Lou Gehrig pix.



https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...BabeRuth50.jpg . . . . http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...ouGehrig25.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...Hcaption18.jpg


Premiums Checklist

Grover Cleveland Alexander
Mickey Cochrane
Lou Gehrig
Walter Johnson
Christy Mathewson
John McGraw
Babe Ruth (light background, no text)
Babe Ruth (blue background, no text)
Babe Ruth (dark background, text)
Ed Walsh



TED Z
.

Those are great Ted Z.! I very much appreciate your taking the time to do this. Would you happen to have or have any pictures of promotional items or card wrappers to share? How many cards came in a package? Thanks, Chris.

Chris

Here are the wrappers of the two competing Gum Co. in 1949. The BOWMAN and LEAF wax-packs were available for a Penny and a Nickel.



................ 1949 BOWMAN …….............................................. 1949 LEAF .....................

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...afWrappers.jpg



TED Z
.

Thanks, Ted Z.

Ted, I am sure you recall when Boudreaux tried the Ted Williams Shift, by pulling all the Indian infielders way over towards right field so that the 3rd baseman was playing where the shortstop normally would be and the left fielder was way over in center. I don't think it was a great success.

Hey John....always great to hear from you.

Boudreau devised his "famous shift" in the Summer of 1946. Ted Williams laughed at the Indians players and hit the ball over all of them into the deep confines of Municipal Stadium.
Or into the RF stands at Fenway Park.

Ted Williams was a stubborn guy, who would never resort to slicing the ball to LF where there was no Outfielder, or a line drive down the 3rd base line when this "shift" was in place.

Can you imagine....if Ted had hit the ball to the opposite field when this defensive "shift" was used against him....what his BA would have been ?

Ted's career Hits = 2654, his career Walks = 2021, for a .344 career BA. He needed only 200 more Hits in order to raise his career BA to a lofty .370

The point I am driving at here......had Ted driven the ball to the opposite field just 10 % of the times that he Walked, he would have achieved a .370 BA.

Then Ted would be the all-time Batting leader, instead of Cobb.


TED Z
.

Grading Company's incorrect dating of the 1949 LEAF cards
 

Curt

There are several 1949 Leaf Reiser cards listed on Ebay today.


TED Z