Fun with Flexichrome-1952 Topps Baseball

[Phil68]

Today's modern love goes to a good friend. Mr. Madlock. #315 in the mid-number "modern series"...

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A couple of young hurlers...

[Phil68]

Today's obscure fellow...Louisiana's own Leonard Yochim. Picked up his only big-league win in September of '51 going 7 innings to beat the Braves.
It was good enough to earn Len a spot at #482 in the Banty Red '52 set.
He spent '52 in New Orleans. This is likely because the Pirates made more money when he pitched there! They were desperate for pitching and, although he had some control issue--like most young lefties--he was a proven winner in the Sally and Association. He SHOULD have been in the Buccs rotation... However, he put more fannies in the seats when he pitched in his hometown than the Pirates drew. He wouldn't re-appear in the bigs until 1954, then aged 25. Len was 6'2 and was between 200-215 pounds when he played. He never could get the change-up...or what he called his "fader" around the zone enough to win consistently, but he could be very good at times. He spent his whole life in Louisiana. He passed in 2013 at age 84.

[Phil68]

The Bench didn't work out...the Concepcion has hope. Meanwhile...
Here's #31 Earl Weaver and #258 Big George Crowe

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Card #144 Bob Porterfield and #150 Dusty Rhodes...both working off of Bill Jacobellis proofs.

[Phil68]

This horizontal one will debut in our July 4th auction. The other is up this week for only the second time (the first copy sold in 2018). There's something about Roy Campanella that makes me feel young and happy. Can't figure it out--but...it's a thing.