[Eric72]

Card #215, Tommy Byrne, shows a Yankee left-hander who was coming off perhaps the finest season of his 13 year career. In 1955, he went 16-5 with a 3.11 ERA and finished 14th in the MVP voting.

Byrne's 1956 Topps card shows a portrait of a World War II veteran in his mid-30s. He had missed two years of his career due to service in the U.S. Navy, an experience similar to many of his peers. His expression is somewhat serious, with eyes narrowed and seemingly fixed upon something in the distance. I wonder if he was actually gazing inward and contemplating something about which none of us could ever know.

The action shot is beautiful in its presentation. Byrne is shown on the mound, mid-delivery, at the moment of release. There is no batter pictured..no other players...no crowd. I've often heard that great pitchers have the ability to block out nearly everything when expertly plying their craft. To me, this image exemplifies the sort of disposition in which a top-notch hurler would find themselves when everything is working just right.