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.