Tuesday, March 20, 2012

T206 Tuesdays: T as in Terrifying

It’s been a long time since I’ve bought a vintage T206 card.  I have about a half dozen now.    I’m pretty selective in which ones I chase because I like to have T206 cards that have a story behind them.  The last card I bought was of Lena Blackburne.   His contribution to the game is felt in every single pitch thrown in every single Major League Baseball game.  

The other day I was reading my Bill James baseball abstract, looking for potential T206 subjects, and came across a mention of Larry McLean.   McLean was noted in the abstract because he was the largest player in the 1910's at 6'5" 289 lbs.  He also had a bad disposition when he'd been drinking.  Further research revealed that he was shot and killed in a bar by a bartender acting in self defense as McLean climbed the bar and attacked him. 

 Out of curiosity, I searched eBay for T206 cards of Mclean.   I found one with a reasonable price and went after and won it.  It came in the mail last week:

 McLean beckons you closer...

Other than the dot on the front, this card is in magnificent shape.  Of the few T206 cards I own, this is by far the best condition of any.  

However, as nice a card as it is, this picture, along with the story of McLean scares and intimidates me a little.  I wonder what this guy was like when he was alive.  And there is something strangely familiar with this picture.  What does it remind me of?  Oh yeah, this:


I will show this card off proudly during the day, but at night it’s getting tucked safely away.  Where it can’t get me. 
This card is definitely a great steak.

7 comments:

The Lost Collector said...

Sweet card! I want a T206.

Ryan said...

AWESOME. Great card WITH a great story = priceless.

I would share your fear if it were a picture of a clown.

6,000,000 Cards and Counting... said...

I've had a number of t206's in my day - I really love the t205's myself. Great find and great story!

Robert said...

I went back and read the Lena Blackburn post about the mud, great stuff there!!! I can absolutely say I learned something useful today.

Greg Zakwin said...

Nice addition Doon!

Dhoff said...

Maybe the coolest T206 card I've seen. Love the old gear, and, because of your post, now I'm terrified.

Martyn said...

I posted about Blackburne quite a while ago, as I was born in Blackburn, Lancashire (the same one from the beatles song) i thought i'd get a card of every Blackburn.

A great story!