Sampler Album Addition: 1953 Topps Clint Courtney

I learned about this particular card from Bob Lemke’s Blog a few weeks ago.  I also discovered that Carl  Crawford Cards had written about Courtney in last May. 

I learned from Bob Lemke that Courtney was the first catcher to win the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award, but that the commentary along with the award from the writers was that Courtney’s win was an indictment of how weak the rookie class was that year.  Here was the editorial in the Sporting News after the award was given:

““Rookie Crop Far Below Par,” with the subhead, ”Courtney Pick Rip-Off of General Lack of Talent.”  And later the article describes the occasion as “dramatic evidence that the freshman class of 1952 was the least talented since World War II.”

Poor guy.  Imagine the excitement he must have felt from winning the SN ROY award… and then reading that caveat from the same folks who gave him the award.   I imagined he must have had a chip on his shoulder.  Turns out, as Carl Crawford Cards explains, he did:

His nicknames were "Scrap Iron" and "The Toy Bulldog," both of which make sense for a guy who caught, wore glasses, and stood all of 5' 8". He was, apparently, a natural lefty who taught himself to catch right-handed, robbing the world of another in the line of distinguished left-handed catchers. He was also, according to Wikipedia, myopic.

Sporting News ROY in 1952 and an original Oriole, he had a solid 11-year career, but as his nicknames would lead you to believe he's best remembered for being an all-out ass kicker. Wikipedia, BR Bullpen, and The Baseball Library all dedicate significant verbiage to his brawls, fights, and fines.

Cleve's Auction Night Part Two : An Assist From Bob Lemke

I mentioned yesterday in my euphoric post about winning a Satchel Paige card the other day at Cleve's,  that there was a second card I won that needed it's own post.  Getting this card was almost as much fun, but for different reasons. 

1952 Bowman Mickey Grasso- (the card is not miscut, it's my stupid scanner)

There are blogs like mine, run by fans and amateurs, and there are blogs like Bob Lemke's, run by people in the card business who know what they are talking about.  Bob is not only the current vintage editor of the vintage card sections of the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards, but he also creates some really neat custom cards on his site.   I read Lemke's blog religiously, and because I was reading back in April, I learned the very interesting back story on back up catcher Mickey Grasso.  (Please click this link for some great WWII history.)

So the other day when I was browsing the offerings for the upcoming auction at Cleve's, the Mickey Grasso card stood out amongst the other 1952 Bowman Commons that were to be available.  I put in my write in bid, and was optimistic I would get it.  And I did!

This is the kind of addition to my collection that keeps me energized!  Thank you to Mr. Lemke, not only for the great story on Grasso, but for providing such an entertaining and informative blog!

Grade:

1952 Bowman Mickey Grasso $3:  A+  A great vintage card in fantastic condition with an interesting story.   All for less than the cost of a Big Mac.