Thursday, February 23, 2012

1963 Topps Baseball Project - Terry, Hall, and Willey

Sounds like a law firm in the title.  Back with another three commons from the 1963 Topps set I'm slowly building.

First up # 315 Ralph Terry
1962 was by far Ralph's best year in baseball.  He won the World Series MVP title, the Babe Ruth award and was selected an All-Star.  Of course Ralph is also remembered for giving up the game winning home run to Bill Mazeroski in the 1960 World Series.  And in 1963 the Yankees got swept by the Dodgers.  But Ralph had a pretty good career.  After his final year in New York, 1964,  Ralph bounced around the league with the Indians, Athletics, and finished his career back in New York, but with the Mets.  After retiring from baseball Ralph went on to play professional golf into the late 1980's.  He's still around at the ripe old age of 76.

Next up a nice number for those of you who are into those things.  #526 Dick Hall.
Dick broke into the Major with the Pirates in the mid 50's but it was with the Orioles that he had his most success. Dick helped the Orioles take the 1966 and 1970 World Series'.  Dick ended his career as an Oriole but also made stops in Kansas City and Philadelphia.  He ended with a record of 93-75, with 741 strikeouts, and 68 saves.  Dick also got the distinction of being the oldest active player in the American League for both 1970 and 1971. Dick's still around too at the grand old age of 81.  

Another high number from one of my first lots I won, #528 Carl Willey.

Willey came up through the Braves minor league system and just missed getting in on the Braves 1957 World Series win being called up in 1958, but did pitch one inning in the 1958 rematch that the Yankees won. In 1963 Carl was traded to the Mets, it's nice that he didn't have a hat on so Topps didn't have to try and air brush the Mets logo on it, but from the photo you can tell he's in a Braves uniform.  After a few years with the Mets Willey retired in 1965.  After baseball he did some scouting for the Phillies and returned home to Cherryfield, Maine.  Willey passed away in 2009 from lung cancer.  

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