Rexall Drugs in the New York in the 50s

[Brianruns10]

Hey all no apologies necessary if the thread goes off topic. I'm really enjoy reading everyone's recalls.

As a young person, it drives me nuts that I totally missed out on the fun of scouring for these cards in the early 50s. I grew up in the age when you could buy the whole series in a box, when cards had become instant, ready made, prefab collectibles...in other words, junk.

Not to mention, there is a lot less to admire about the players today. I really wish I could know what baseball was like in the prime years. I ask my dad about it, who grew up in the 50s, and all he can say was, "Growing up, baseball was everything."

I had heard the story about 52 Hi's in the 53 packs...if I had a wax 53 pack or two, I'd sure think about opening them, though I imagine at the time kids might've been a little pissed off at getting a few cards from last year in the mix with the new ones.

[toppcat]

I blogged a little about the 52 high number wrappers recently, you may be interested in some of the info guys: http://toppsarchives.blogspot.com/20...is-not-53.html

[GoldenAge50s]

When the '53 Topps came out they were easily found just about everywhere in WNY and that prevailed right thru the Hi-#s---no problem getting those in my area. I'm sure Topps improved & increased their distribution for their 2nd major effort.

As for '52 Hi's in '53 packs----I never found any such thing!

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Brianruns10

Hey all no apologies necessary if the thread goes off topic. I'm really enjoy reading everyone's recalls.

As a young person, it drives me nuts that I totally missed out on the fun of scouring for these cards in the early 50s. I grew up in the age when you could buy the whole series in a box, when cards had become instant, ready made, prefab collectibles...in other words, junk.

Not to mention, there is a lot less to admire about the players today. I really wish I could know what baseball was like in the prime years. I ask my dad about it, who grew up in the 50s, and all he can say was, "Growing up, baseball was everything."

I had heard the story about 52 Hi's in the 53 packs...if I had a wax 53 pack or two, I'd sure think about opening them, though I imagine at the time kids might've been a little pissed off at getting a few cards from last year in the mix with the new ones.

Baseball was everything because the other sports weren't widely promoted and had shorter seasons. Even baseball in the 70's wasn't always on television, making the games a bit more special. I remember the entire male half of most classes badgering the teachers to not give us homework while the world series was on.

But the players then were just like the players now. Some were good some not so good as people. Into the 50's and maybe later the reporters travelled with the team and often at the teams expense. A good writer was closer to the players than would be considered seemly today. So some stories didn't get any press. Especially stuff like bar fights or other personal issues.

The earlier eras were also bit harsher, and some stuff that would be really a problem today was just rather ordinary then. In some ways that's good, but not all. Like most older guys I think the world has become a bit too easily offended.

I watched some episodes of "a football life" last night. Landry and Ditka.

On the Landry one they showed the onfield reaction to a playoff loss, I think late 60's. One player yanked his helmet off and threw it some distance. Like out of the picture distance, and it wasn't a closeup. Today there'd be a big fine and required public apology.

On the Ditka one they showed the clip of him clobbering a drunk fan who ran on the field. (One of my favorites) Today that would probably involve a fine, suspension, apology, and probably a large lawsuit. At the time it was more "what did he think would happen?"

Baseball wasn't much different.
One player who gave a talk was asked for Boog Powell stories, he couldn't think of many repeatable with kids around, but when presed told one about some of the team drinking at a bar frequented by mafia types. One guy was hitting on one of the thugs girlfriends, and things got very tense. Big standoff and argument that was headed for a big maybe dangerous fight.
Boog then grabbed one of the bigger goons and stuffed him headfirst into an ice freezer, yeling run for it boys! ..............I can only imagine how that story would play out in todays press.

Steve B