A Bit About Me

[Knucksie49]

When I was a kid my aunt and uncle used to give my brother and I vintage baseball cards that my uncle would pick up at auctions for Christmas. In 1988 when I was ten I was given a 1967 Topps Hoyt Wilhelm card. This began a life-long obsession with the knuckleball. As I grew older I left the baseball card collecting behind, but would attend games every year, and enjoy watching knuckleball pitchers, which became easier when the Navy stationed me in New England, as I watched Tim Wakefield at Fenway or one of the many minor league pitchers that would attempt to replicate the Wakefield experiment that had stuck with the Red Sox, including getting to watch Dickey in the 2012 season win a Cy Young award.
When my aunt passed away I picked back up the gathering of knuckleball cards, focusing on Wilhelm in particular. My Wilhelm library from his many years in the sport sits nearly complete, as I do not have, and likely (price based) will not have the 1952 Topps (unless someone has one in really rough shape). Getting these cards brings me back to Christmas 36 years ago, when I opened a present, and there, amidst cards that included a 1961 Frank Robinson, was the 1967 Hoyt Wilhelm card, the one that started an obsession, that would be fully realized. It transported me to being ten again, and reminded me why I love the game of baseball, and how it is the little things that show why we, as grown adults, continue to follow a game that means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but means everything when it comes to understanding who we truly are.

[dembums]

Well said and welcome to the forums.

[Bigdaddy]

Welcome Knucksie; you'll find this a good place to stay a while.

[gregndodgers]

Nice story! Welcome aboard shipmate!

[JollyElm]

While casually tossing the ball around during our weekly softball league warm ups, my friend would suddenly slip in a nasty knuckleball, putting my person in serious danger. Pure frickin' evil!!!!!!!!!!!

And a pertinent Collectorism:

761. Close Horse
How cards of Hall of Fame relief pitcher, Hoyt Wilhem, always seemed to have him sporting yet another new team’s uniform each season.

Welcome aboard!!!

[drmiraculous]

My pop knew Hoyt when Wilhelm was in Minneapolis, he was great with fans and took time to show any kid who was interested how to toss the flutterball, my dad enjoyed being one such. I grew up watching the Niekro bros, Gaylord Perry and Hough, there is nothing like a zero-rpm knuckler whizzing towards the plate underneath the interstate speed limit. Now there is an equalizer pitch!

[doug.goodman]

Welcome to net54.

Every thread needs a card.

[Knucksie49]

I love hearing these old stories about him. I grew up idolizing knuckleball pitchers like him, but never got to see him pitch. I "settled" for the Niekro brothers, Hough, and Candiotti.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Knucksie49

In 1988 when I was ten I was given a 1967 Topps Hoyt Wilhelm card. This began a life-long obsession with the knuckleball.

I too am a huge fan of knuckleball pitchers.

Originally Posted by Knucksie49

When I was a kid my aunt and uncle used to give my brother and I vintage baseball cards that my uncle would pick up at auctions for Christmas. In 1988 when I was ten I was given a 1967 Topps Hoyt Wilhelm card.

Getting these cards brings me back to Christmas 36 years ago, when I opened a present, and there, amidst cards that included a 1961 Frank Robinson, was the 1967 Hoyt Wilhelm card, the one that started an obsession, that would be fully realized. It transported me to being ten again....

Yup! That's what collecting is all about for me as well. The cards provide me with a direct link to pleasant experiences from my formative years. Those memories are a part of me and I don't want them to just disappear in the mists of time.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

There is no place for hayt on this forum.

[ClementeFanOh]

Welcome aboard, Knucksie!

Trent King

[Zach Wheat]

Nice story and welcome

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Knucksie49

My Wilhelm library from his many years in the sport sits nearly complete, as I do not have, and likely (price based) will not have the 1952 Topps (unless someone has one in really rough shape).

Oh man, a really nice Hoyt Wilhelm would be well worth the cost!

(Not mine.)

So splurge! You may have to cut out the beer, whiskey and other mind altering substances for a few months and eat more rice and beans instead of bacon and other red meat (all of which would be to the benefit of your health anyway), but you'll never regret acquiring a nice 1952 Wilhelm.

[GeoPoto]

Welcome. Let's remember the first all-knuckle starting rotation:

https://pitcherlist.com/knuckleheads...ball-rotation/



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[Knucksie49]

I have the Spring News article of the for knuckleball pitchers with a signature from each of them set up on my knuckle wall. Either Leonard or Ted Lyons are next in my PC.