A 1952 Topps complete set. Starting "the" ultimate post war project

[cardinalcollector]

From Johnny Sains obituary:


During World War II, he became a Navy aviator and pitched for a military team that included Ted Williams and other big leaguers. On July 28, 1943, his team played an exhibition game at Yankee Stadium against a group of major leaguers managed by Babe Ruth.

"In the fifth inning, Babe decides to pinch-hit," Mr. Sain once recalled. "So here I am, pitching to the Babe. Between me and the ump, we walked the Babe."

It was the last time Ruth ever appeared in an organized game. Four years later, on April 15, 1947, Mr. Sain was the first pitcher to face Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

[irv]

I wasn't aware of the whole story Cardinal collector posted but I will add these. (below)
Although I can no longer find the story (still searching) I read an article that read, due to Sain being the last pitcher Ruth faced and the first pitcher Jackie faced, this is why the Sain, Page bio error is more sought after than the Page, Sain error card.
PSA's article is wrong. It states Ruth faced Sain in 1935, which is not true. 1943 makes a lot more sense.

John Franklin “Johnny” Sain (September 25, 1917 - November 7, 2006) has the unique distinction of being the final pitcher that Babe Ruth faced in his career in 1935 and the first hurler that Jackie Robinson would face in the big leagues after breaking the color barrier in 1947.

https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/ba...t-bio-49/22973

Sain also had the distinction of being the last pitcher to face Babe Ruth[3] in a game and the first in the Major League to throw a pitch against Jackie Robinson.[4]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Sain

[Republicaninmass]

Since I need a signed Al Benton, I've found he is the only pitcher to face both Ruth and Mantle

[irv]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Since I need a signed Al Benton, I've found he is the only pitcher to face both Ruth and Mantle

Interesting! Never knew that either.

Benton is known for being the only pitcher to face both Babe Ruth (in 1934) and Mickey Mantle (in 1952)[1] (Bobo Newsom was also active – but never actually faced Mantle). Benton is also the only player to have two sacrifice bunts in the same inning, against the Cleveland Indians on August 6, 1941.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Benton

[cardsagain74]

PSA 4 Billy Martin and three high number PSA 2 to 3 commons picked up yesterday.

Only 93 high numbers left now Including all the big ones

112/407

[irv]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

PSA 4 Billy Martin and three high number PSA 2 to 3 commons picked up yesterday.

Only 93 high numbers left now Including all the big ones

112/407

Glad to hear you're making good progress, John. I need to get refocused and concentrate on finishing my low number run instead chasing and spending my money on variations and other cards that I don't necessarily need.

Post up picks when you can. I know I like seeing them as I'm sure many others do as well.

[cardsagain74]

Thanks Irv!

I'm sure most of you saw all those high numbers up for auction last night. I spewed bids all over (most ended at around the same time, which made tracking your progress and sniping a mess).

I'm ok with the three I won (for the price), but it was nothing to write home about. The typical story for acquiring these in the current market for them

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by irv

I need to get refocused and concentrate on finishing my low number run instead chasing and spending my money on variations and other cards that I don't necessarily need.

I hadn't really bought anything but '52 T since I started going after the set, but that's mostly because I'd already filled most of my general wish list I expected to get anytime soon (rather than ironclad willpower or focus!)

Did pick up something different tonight though....finally got the Mantle. '68 Mantle that is. Always liked the look of the '65 and '68 Micks, so those were a backburner thing for when I happened to bump into something worthwhile. Tonight that happened with a Greg Morris nice low grade '68. One of those bids that you never expected to hold up, and consider it a nice surprise when "pay now" is your next fee-bay bell message

He had a couple more disastrous '68 Mantles up too. For GM stuff, mine would have usually gone for about 70-75 bucks and those beaters for 50-55 each. But tonight, mine went for 52 and the beaters 33 and 46.

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by irv

Interesting! Never knew that either.

Benton is known for being the only pitcher to face both Babe Ruth (in 1934) and Mickey Mantle (in 1952)[1] (Bobo Newsom was also active – but never actually faced Mantle). Benton is also the only player to have two sacrifice bunts in the same inning, against the Cleveland Indians on August 6, 1941.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Benton

He also faced Gehrig and DiMaggio. The only pitcher to have faced all four of them...

[irv]

Originally Posted by jgannon

He also faced Gehrig and DiMaggio. The only pitcher to have faced all four of them...

Wow. Who would have ever guessed anyone would have faced all 4 of those HOF's.

Thanks for sharing!

[irv]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

I hadn't really bought anything but '52 T since I started going after the set, but that's mostly because I'd already filled most of my general wish list I expected to get anytime soon (rather than ironclad willpower or focus!)

Did pick up something different tonight though....finally got the Mantle. '68 Mantle that is. Always liked the look of the '65 and '68 Micks, so those were a backburner thing for when I happened to bump into something worthwhile. Tonight that happened with a Greg Morris nice low grade '68. One of those bids that you never expected to hold up, and consider it a nice surprise when "pay now" is your next fee-bay bell message

He had a couple more disastrous '68 Mantles up too. For GM stuff, mine would have usually gone for about 70-75 bucks and those beaters for 50-55 each. But tonight, mine went for 52 and the beaters 33 and 46.

I was offered a Connor McDavid foil card last night, that I had been watching for a while, for half price so I jumped on it.
When I paid, I seen the CDN dollar, through PayPal, was at .67 cents!
Needless to say, my purchases from U.S. sellers is going to stop/cease for a while until this covid situation passes and the stock market/CDN dollar improves.
I was purchasing quite a few hockey cards from CDN sellers lately and I think that is what I will continue to do but I am also going to slow down with those as well until things recover.