Question about 1962 Salada Coins

[droid714]

Ty Cline and Walt Bond both spent the 1960-62 seasons with the Indians. Both played only a handful of games in 1960-61. Neither had what could be considered a "breakout" season but Cline was given the CF position in 1962.

Cline was the prototypical CF of his era. 6' tall and 170 lbs. with good speed and a good glove. He had a very average season in 1962 and was sent to the Braves after the season.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/p...linety01.shtml

Bond was a giant of a man at 6' 7" and 230 lbs. who had decent speed and a good glove. Unfortunately, he didn't hit for much of an average and didn't have the power you would expect from someone of his size. He only played a handful of games in 1962. He spent 1963 in the minors and was sold to Houston prior to the 1964 season.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/p...bondwa01.shtml

Keep in mind, these were the Indians of 1962. After having great teams throughout the 1940's and 50's and contending in 1959, they were in their third season of what would eventually turn into 35 years of some of the worst baseball ever played by any major league franchise.

You can count on the fingers of both hands the number of truly talented players who played for the Indians during those 35 years and they were generally sold off to make payroll.

I can't really fault the decision makers at Salada for their choices concerning the Indians of that time. Most of the players were either untested rookies or past their prime old-timers trying for one last shot of glory. The roster turned over so quickly that you barely got to know the players.

Just to prove my point, here's the list of the 13 Indians on the Salada coins and the last season that they played for the Indians:

John Romano C (1964)
Vic Power 1B (1961)
Johnny Temple 2B (1961)
Ken Aspromonte 2B (1962)
Woodie Held (SS) (1964)
Bubba Phillips 3B (1962)
Tito Francona OF (1964)
Jim Piersall OF (1961)
Walt Bond OF (1962)
Willie Kirkland OF (1963)
Jim Grant P (1964)
Jim Perry P (1963)
Gary Bell P (1967)

As you can see, all but one player of what was considered in 1962 to be the core of the Indians team was gone by 1965.

[droid714]

I actually though I had posted this in the post war forum. Is there any way that I can move it?

[droid714]

Sorry, duplicate post.

[droid714]

Sorry, duplicate post.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by droid714

I actually though I had posted this in the post war forum. Is there any way that I can move it?

I have made that request for you. Normally, you would send a board message to Leon.

[droid714]

Thanks, Swarmee. I appreciate it!

[brian1961]

Good afternoon, John. Brian Powell here. Several years ago, I wrote an E-book on a CD entitled, Never Cheaper By the Dozen. It's a 478-page whopper of a book about the immediate post-war regional / food issues---those special "free prizes" with a purchase. All too often, they're murder if you're trying to complete the set, or get individual stars, particularly in high-graded condition. I devoted chapter 5 to the amazing 1962 Salada Coins, titled, "WHEN YOU REALLY LIKE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW IT". It's 18 pages long, and there just might be a few things in there you didn't know about this wondrous set.

Should you be interested in purchasing the book, Google the title and you'll find the press release entry still available to see on the Sports Collector's Digest site. It was written by their fine former editor, and my editor, Tom Bartsch. At the end of the press release is ordering details.

Again John, it's an E-book on a CD. You read it by installing the disc into the disc drive of your computer. If you don't have a disc drive, I'm afraid I've wasted your time.

Regardless, have fun pursuing the '62 Saladas; that was one special food issue!

Kind regards, Brian Powell

[MRSPORTSCARDCOLLECTOR]

A fun anecdote story about this Salada set that my late uncle and late grandfather told me was when they collected this series they couldn`t get Yaz for some reason to complete the set. My uncle and grandfather lived in the Boston area, so they wrote Salada a letter saying they would pay a little extra for the Yaz. Salada sent them a Yaz for free to complete the set.

[droid714]

Thanks for the info, Brian! I'll be sure to track down a copy!