CLOSED...1961 Topps $15 Auction...Day 36

[HercDriver]

I lived for those Cubs teams, running home from school to watch on WGN and listening to the radio in my room when they played on the West Coast. I remember Rick Monday saving the flag, Jerry Morales and the basket catch, the greatest catching platoon in MLB history of Steve Swisher and George Mitterwald, Jose Cardenal's afro coming out of his hat, Larry Biittner pitching an inning or two, Pete LaCock...just saying Pete LaCock in a French accent, the Lee Elia tirade, Jack Brickhouse before Harry, the 23-22 loss to the Phillies in OT, the debut of the kid from Mount Joy, PA who brought the split-finger fastball to MLB and made it to the Hall. And when Rick Reuschel was on the mound we had a chance. Ray Burris, Steve Stone, Steve Renko, and Bill Bonham were not in the same league as Reuschel. That's what we had. The Reds had Bench, Perez, Morgan, Concepcion, Rose, Griffey, Geronimo, and Foster. And we had Swisher/Mitterwald, and the hope that Rick Reuschel might win us one game out of the three. It's funny how you think as a kid...like you still have a chance, just because the math says so. Thanks for reading...and no, I'm not sure where that card is today, or I would just send it to you!

[xplainer]

Don’t forget, that LaCocks dad was Peter Marshall, of Hollywood Squares fame.
The late, great Ernie Johnson used to reminded us on the Braves network of that, when he could. Also, that Mike Lumm was from Honolulu.
That was my personal heyday of baseball.
Sidenote. Born and grew up in Tampa. Home to the Reds spring training at Al Lopez Field. I saw them all. Rose, Bench, Concepcion. Billingsly, Geromino, Morgan, Perez and Sparky and all those guys. I did not know what I was witnessing at the time.
Today, I understand. Some of the best players ever.
I saw On tv or in person, Clemente, Hank, Mays and everyone from 72 on. Carlton’s season, greatest ever. Some many great players I got to see.
I appreciate it now. Then it was the norm.
Ok...done.