Next up, we have a sweet 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle! Of all the more expensive Mantle's to acquire this was the first one I pulled the trigger on. I am really happy with the condition and look of this card!
In this picture Mantle is smiling! It's a nice change from the later years. I like the nice bright background as well. Interesting fact from the back of the card "the man who brought bubble gum and the tape measure to national prominence". To think desks everywhere would not be sticky if it weren't for Mickey Mantle!
Also Trivia question from 1954.. What modern American Leaguer is first to have a batting average of over .400 in a decade? (I also believe its the last time it happened as well, correct me if I am wrong)
If you didn't already know after reading that the answer is Ted Williams.
I really like this vintage card collecting. I honestly had no plans to go into vintage but I really got into it when I went to a card show with my gf and was searching for cards for my brother Dan at the Other World. I really like doing a certain player and going after all of there playing day cards! I'll have to decide which Hall of Famer or fun player to go after next! Suggestions are welcome!
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Thanks for reading!
I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed seeing these posts. In fact, you've inspired me to start to chase Roberto Clemente from every year. Will I have his RC anytime soon? No. But I'm putting it on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteVintage does get to you though. No autos, no relics no numbering. Just the simple pleasure of finding cards that endured through time and circumstance and marked this history of our nation. I totally get the allure now that I've dabbled myself.
Clemente is a great choice. I saw the 1963 you picked up really nice looking card!
DeleteTed Williams? Who said Ted Williams? Brad's Blog, on his Mantle post? Alright!
ReplyDeleteI miss out on a lot of the stat-line questions, but I knew this one, probably due to having re-watched Ken Burns "Baseball" recently. He mentions it about every 30-seconds when covering Teddy.
That is an incredible '54 Mantle. The entire card exudes happiness. Heck, I'm surprised there aren't double rainbows in the background.
Great comment, Guy! I agree, these Mantle posts have been inspiring and fueling my desire to chase someone down as well. When I feel like this I run into the same problem over and over: my Padres and Chargers have only been around since the modern era, i.e., basically the 60's. Where I to chase an older player, my first choice would be Gehrig, but that's a set up for failure and great disappointment. For me, it'll probably be Hank Aaron, but we'll see.
Another great post of a great card, Brad!
Cheers.
I would like to get my hand on 1955 Topps Hank Aaron love the look of that card
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