On the subject of baseball card units, few have been as game-changing in pastime historical past because the 1957 Topps baseball card set.
Some units are fortunate sufficient to characteristic one or two key pastime milestones.
This one has three…
It is robust to say which one was most vital.
On condition that ’57 Topps baseball was the primary set to characteristic the now normal 2.5″ by 3.5″ dimensions, which may be its most lasting contribution.
However, being the primary set to characteristic full-color images was seemingly extra surprising on the time.
And if these two issues weren’t sufficient, collectors have been now capable of see a given participant’s full-career stats on the cardboard reverses for the primary time.
Think about what youngsters should have thought after they noticed these playing cards for the primary time.
Little did they know then, there have been additionally a number of future Corridor-of-Fame rookies hiding in packs of ’57 Topps.
And so a few years later, all of those attributes make it straightforward to see why this set is likely one of the hottest within the pastime.
And on this information, we have a look at the 25 most useful.
Let’s soar proper in!
1957 Topps #95 Mickey Mantle
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $11,250
You would be hard-pressed to cherrypick Mickey Mantle’s greatest season out of a Assassin’s Row of MVPs, pennants, and World Sequence titles.
Nonetheless, you will not do a lot better than the New York Yankees icon’s 1957 AL MVP marketing campaign.
The legendary middle fielder’s ’57 season was a statistical outlier.
Within the latter half of a back-to-back MVP surge, “The Mick” turned simply the fourth participant within the twentieth Century to put up an on-base share over .500 (.512), becoming a member of Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, and Ted Williams (who, remarkably, did it for the third time in ’57.)
Mantle set private profession bests in batting common (.365), OPS (1.177), OPS+ (221), and walks (an MLB-best 146).
He additionally led the league in runs scored (121) whereas cracking 34 residence runs and driving in 94 in 144 video games.
This was prime Mantle on a stage as uncommon as he was.
Nonetheless, his Herculean exploits weren’t sufficient to push the Yankees to back-to-back World Sequence titles.
The 98-win Yankees engaged in a back-and-forth seven-game conflict with the Milwaukee Braves, in the end falling within the deciding seventh sport, 5-0.
Mantle was stable, but unspectacular within the sequence loss, going 5-for-19 (.263) with a homer, two RBIs, three walks, and three runs scored.
1957 Topps #35 Frank Robinson Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $5,500
What sophomore hunch?
After bursting onto the big-league scene because the NL Rookie of the 12 months in 1956, Cincinnati Redlegs outfielder/first baseman Frank Robinson made it clear that he wasn’t a one-year marvel.
Displaying a tenacity and maturity nicely past his years, Robinson fine-tuned his hitting method in yr two and reaped the reward.
Robinson hit .322 for the fourth-place Redlegs, the third-best mark of his 21-year Corridor-of-Fame profession.
Spraying the ball to all fields, Robinson relied much less on brute power than he had throughout his rookie yr.
That led to a noticeable lower in energy numbers however made him a extra well-rounded hitter.
On the similar time, the younger two-time All-Star earned an early repute as one of the crucial fearless gamers within the sport.
“No person had extra guts on the plate than Frank,” Earl Weaver stated years later. “He curled his higher physique and head over the plate and dared pitchers to hit him.”
That iron-willed method earned Robinson a league-best 20 hit-by-pitches throughout his rookie yr.
He adopted it up with twelve in ’57.
Total, the Cincinnati phenom slashed .322/.376/.529 with 29 residence runs, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 97 runs scored, ten stolen bases, and 75 RBIs in 677 plate appearances (611 at-bats).
1957 Topps #302 Sandy Koufax
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $5,500
One thing clicked for Sandy Koufax within the winter of 1956-57.
The 21-year-old Brooklyn Dodgers lefty went to Puerto Rico to play for the Milwaukee Braves Ben Geraghty.
Geraghty was extensively revered for his dealing with of younger gamers.
And whereas Koufax’s 3-6 report was nothing to write down residence about, he tossed a blinding pair of shutouts with one hit and two hits respectively.
His flashes of winter greatness emboldened Brooklyn’s administration to up his workload.
Koufax pitched in 34 video games for the reigning NL champs, beginning 13 contests and ending twelve.
He ended the yr with a 5-4 report, pitching to a 3.88 ERA with two full video games and 83 hits surrendered in 104.1 innings pitched.
The Dodgers backslid from their 1956 perch, ending third within the Senior Circuit with an 84-70 report.
It was a disappointing yr for the boys from Brooklyn, but it was a pivotal one within the profession of their future ace.
Koufax struck out 122 batters in ‘57 for a career-high 10.5 strikeouts per 9 innings.
The walks remained a nagging problem, nevertheless it was fairly clear that the child was studying to belief his electrical stuff.
1957 Topps #328 Brooks Robinson Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $4,250
Earlier than Brooks Robinson was Brooks Robinson, he was only a child working his butt off to show the doubters improper.
“I believed Paul was kidding when he had me watch the child work out sooner or later,” Baltimore Orioles teammate Gene Woodling as soon as stated. “He could not hit, he could not run, and his arm wasn’t that robust.”
What Robinson did have was pure, untapped potential.
It took him 4 years to place that potential into observe, nevertheless it was there nonetheless.
In 1957, the long run Corridor-of-Famer took his lumps.
After a less-than-spectacular 15-game cup of espresso the yr earlier than, the second-year expertise was penciled in because the Orioles’ beginning third baseman to start out the season.
It did not final lengthy.
Robinson’s glove was slick if unpolished, and his baseball IQ was already fairly spectacular.
The issue was that he simply could not hit.
The 20-year-old performed simply 50 video games for the fifth-place O’s in ’57, posting a slight .239/.286/.359 slash line with two residence runs and 14 RBIs in 126 plate appearances (117 at-bats).
He wasn’t a lot better when despatched right down to Double-A.
His .266 common in 33 video games was deceptive, contemplating his .641 OPS was 4 factors worse than his major-league mark.
In brief, it was a disappointing yr from begin to end.
It was additionally a necessary studying expertise for a teen with on a regular basis on the planet.
1957 Topps #407 Yankees Energy Hitters
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $4,250
This card has at all times been common.
However, lately, it is seen a gradual climb to grow to be one of the crucial fascinating within the set.
And it is easy to see why: Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra are two of the sport’s greatest legends.
The picture on the entrance is iconic.
And the textual content on the reverse facet is an ideal praise:
“Most likely probably the most feared energy mixture within the Main Leagues, Mickey and Yogi remind Yankee followers of the Murderers Row of Ruth and Gehrig days.
An ideal illustration of their devastating energy was within the 1956 World Sequence when each sluggers poled three homers.
Yogi put two collectively within the final sport of the Fall Basic to convey the Championship flag again to the Stadium.
Mickey is likely one of the all time lengthy ball hitters and has dwarfed the feats of different sluggers by blasting incredible drives.
Statisticians have tape measures prepared when Mickey steps up.
In Washington in ’55 he hit a ball they declare continues to be touring.
Conservative guesses put the ball at a 575 foot distance from residence plate.
Specialists determine that if Ruth’s 60 Homer mark is to be topped, the muscular Oklahoman will do it.”
1957 Topps #20 Hank Aaron
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $4,000
Already a perennial MVP candidate heading into his fourth MLB season, Milwaukee Braves outfielder Hank Aaron took an enormous step in the direction of immortality in 1957.
A yr after successful his first batting title, the 23-year-old phenom wasn’t glad.
Moved to the cleanup spot behind fellow Corridor-of-Famer Eddie Mathews, the 23-year-old phenom switched from a 36-ounce bat to a 34-ounce mannequin.
The change labored wonders.
Narrowly besting Stan Musial and Crimson Schoendienst for his first-and-only MVP award, Aaron led all of baseball in residence runs (44), RBIs (132), and complete bases (369).
He slashed .322/.378/600 for the marketing campaign, cracking 27 doubles and 6 triples whereas scoring an NL-best 118 runs.
Aaron was the catalyst for the Braves’ first pennant in 9 years and the primary in Milwaukee.
He walked off the St. Louis Cardinals with a paradigm-shifting bomb on September twenty third, clinching a World Sequence berth in entrance of 40,926 delirious followers.
That was simply the prelude.
Unshaken within the shadow of the juggernaut New York Yankees, Aaron torched Pinstripe pitching en path to the franchise’s first World Sequence win since 1914.
All through the seven-game slugfest, Aaron went 11-for-28 (.393) with three residence runs, a triple, seven RBIs, and 5 runs scored.
Although by no means corrected, this card is notorious in pastime historical past for utilizing a reverse damaging that incorrectly confirmed Aaron as a lefty.
Had the error been caught and later corrected, the error model might have made it the costliest within the set.
1957 Topps #1 Ted Williams
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $3,800
Father Time will get everybody.
But, it positive waited a heck of a very long time for Ted Williams.
Turning 39 earlier than the ultimate month of the 1957 MLB season, Williams was arguably higher than his GOAT-worthy prime a number of years earlier than.
Battling the anticipated litany of accidents and nagging pains that include growing older, the Boston Crimson Sox left fielder by no means let anybody see him sweat.
You may argue that Williams’ 1957 season was leagues higher than his MVP years in 1946 and 1949.
He fell a mere six hits shy of a second .400 season, settling for his fifth batting title at .388.
He additionally led the Majors in on-base share (a jaw-dropping .526) and slugging share (.731), and his large 1.257 was the second-best of his unparalleled profession (1941)
And oh yeah, Williams dragged the 82-win Crimson Sox to a third-place AL end together with his 38 residence runs, 28 doubles, 96 runs scored, 119 walks, and 87 RBIs.
If not for Mickey Mantle, the dwelling legend would have run away together with his third MVP triumph.
Because it was, The Splendid Splinter needed to accept an unreal marketing campaign in defiance of the years behind him.
1957 Topps #10 Willie Mays
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $3,500
The New York Giants went out with a whimper in 1957, ending their 74-year keep within the Massive Apple with a dismal sixth-place end at 69-85.
It was a tumultuous yr filled with back-biting, uneasy followers, and a way of dread that the staff was destined for a brand new residence on the West Coast.
Because it turned out, this was the final yr for the foreseeable future that New York would discipline a Nationwide League squad.
Via the entire complications and miserable lowlights of the ‘57 marketing campaign, there was one fixed value rooting for: the irrepressible Willie Mays.
Coming off a down yr that will be a profession efficiency for 99.99% of the baseball world, the Giants middle fielder turned simply the fourth participant within the twentieth Century to amass 20 or extra doubles (26), triples (an MLB-best 20), and residential runs (35) in the identical season.
Moreover, Mays topped the Majors in stolen bases (38) and paced the Nationwide League in slugging share (.626) and OPS+ (173).
Mays captured his sixth-straight Gold Glove and fourth All-Star nod, touchdown fourth on a stacked NL MVP poll.
That marked the primary of ten consecutive years wherein the “Say Hey Child” completed sixth or higher on the league’s MVP ledger.
1957 Topps #76 Roberto Clemente
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $3,500
The ebook on Roberto Clemente, deserved or not, was that he was at all times harm.
Or, extra precisely, some thought he was at all times saying he was harm.
“The case historical past of Clemente is the more severe he feels, the higher he performs,” The Sporting Information as soon as quipped.
Nonetheless, his good friend and Pirates coach Tony Bartirome as soon as cleared the air, saying, “I used to be at all times engaged on him to ease the ache, and he pushed by way of it. He wasn’t a hypochondriac. He was a fighter.”
No matter what others needed to say, in 1957, Clemente was legit injured.
Troubled by a again harm for fairly a while, the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder tried his greatest to make it work.
Clemente’s ailing again value him almost two months’ value of video games and reduce deeply into his general manufacturing on the plate.
His .253 batting common and .637 OPS ended up because the low-water marks for his 18-year Corridor-of-Fame profession.
Undeterred by Clemente’s underwhelming season, Pirates supervisor Bobby Bragan leaned on the Puerto Rican standout as a lot as he presumably might, particularly contemplating that the 62-92 Buccos did not have a lot else going for them.
“I would somewhat have a Clemente with some ailment than a Clemente who says he feels nice with no aches and pains,” Bragan stated.
He obtained his want.
Clemente was harm all yr lengthy, a lot in order that he delayed his customary Puerto Rican League project till mid-January 1958.
1957 Topps #176 Gene Baker (“Bakep” Error)
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $2,750
Gene Baker made his Main League debut on September 20, 1953 when the Chicago Cubs bought his contract from the Los Angeles Angels, a Minor League staff within the Pacific Coast League on the time.
The Cubs initially supposed for Baker to be their main shortstop.
However, with the addition of Ernie Banks to their roster, Baker quickly moved over to second base, the place he’d be the on a regular basis starter for a number of years.
Baker’s greatest yr got here in 1955 when he led the Majors in video games performed (154) and made his first and solely journey to the All-Star sport.
Halfway by way of the 1957 season, Baker discovered himself with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the place he’d win a World Sequence ring in 1960 earlier than retiring in 1961.
Baker was a stable participant.
However, he wasn’t a family identify like a few of the different guys on this listing.
So, why can this card be so costly?
In the event you look intently on the reverse facet of the cardboard, the ‘R’ in Baker’s final identify will typically seem as a ‘P.’
That error was later corrected, making any of those who made it into circulation fairly dear in excessive grade.
1957 Topps #18 Don Drysdale Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $2,250
In his first yr as a full-time beginning pitcher, the Don Drysdale completed at 17-9 with a 2.69 ERA, good for second behind Braves star and 1957 NL Cy Younger winner Warren Spahn.
The 20-year-old righty was one of many few redeeming issues in regards to the Dodgers’ ultimate yr in New York.
Drysdale stored them related for so long as doable, finishing 9 of his 29 begins whereas surrendering simply 197 hits and 61 walks in 221.0 innings (1.167 WHIP).
He additionally stored them combating.
Actually.
The middle of one of the crucial notorious bases-clearing brawls in MLB historical past, Drysdale beaned Braves shortstop Johnny Logan twice in a matter of seconds, as soon as within the batter’s field and as soon as at first base.
“He was strutting up there and digging in exhibiting me his enamel and appearing like he owned the place,” Drysdale recalled. “I have a look at this man and inform myself, ‘Okay Buster, you requested for it.’ And I intention one inside to let him know who’s boss.”
The second offense was an excessive amount of for the Braves.
Logan charged the mound together with a cavalcade of his incensed teammates.
Drysdale threw blows in any respect comers as the sport devolved into anarchy for a number of minutes.
And thus, Massive D’s repute was cemented.
Opposing hitters feared him and feared him for a cause.
1957 Topps #310 Max Surkont
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $1,500
Max Surkont spent 9 years within the Majors, pitching for 5 totally different organizations from 1944 to 1957.
Initially signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, he made his MLB debut for the Chicago White Sox in 1949, going 3-5 with a 4.78 ERA in 44 video games (2 begins.)
Surkont is greatest recognized for his time with the Braves from 1950 to 1953, with certainly one of his highlights being a 13-strikeout sport towards the Cincinnati Reds on Might 25, 1953.
And at one level throughout the sport, Surkont struckout eight consecutive batters.
Over his profession, Surkont compiled a win-loss report of 61-76, with an ERA of 4.38 throughout 1,194.1 innings pitched.
Surkont’s versatility allowed him to function each a starter and a reliever, making him a invaluable asset to his groups.
His profession, whereas it could not have been on par with a few of the superstars on this listing, was marked by consistency and reliability, incomes him respect within the baseball group.
Surkont’s card is likely one of the hardest within the set to search out in excessive grade.
1957 Topps #55 Ernie Banks
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $1,250
All through his 19-year Corridor-of-Fame profession with the Chicago Cubs, Ernie Banks was music to his long-suffering fan base’s ears.
It seems that his contemporaries heard the tune as nicely.
“In fact, Ernie Banks was an excellent hitter, even initially,” Ralph Kiner as soon as stated. “He would evenly rap his fingers on the bat. He seemed like he was taking part in the flute.”
The Cubs weren’t fairly as catchy in 1957, bumbling their option to a 62-92 report, tied for the worst mark within the NL with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Banks stored smiling and taking part in with gusto, although, even with the losses piling up every day.
The 26-year-old shortstop performed all 156 video games for the moribund Cubbies, together with two ties.
He hit to a sturdy .285/.360/.579 slash line with 43 residence runs, 34 doubles, six triples, 113 runs scored, and 102 RBIs in 674 plate appearances (594 at-bats).
A down-ballot MVP point out, the now two-time All-Star stored the followers popping out by way of thick and skinny.
Regardless of the sorry state of the Cubs franchise, Banks gave them an awesome cause to go to Wrigley.
1957 Topps #2 Yogi Berra
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $950
1957 was as near a season-long hunch as New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra obtained throughout his 18-year, ten-championship tenure within the Bronx.
The 32-year-old backstop hit .251 with a .767 OPS in ’57, each of which have been the second-worst marks of his time in pinstripes.
A part of the issue was that Berra’s legs have been taking a beating behind the dish, as evidenced by his new career-low 14 doubles.
Placing all this apart, Berra was nonetheless a down-ballot MVP candidate and the life’s blood of the AL champions.
He slugged 24 residence runs in simply 134 video games performed, tacking on 74 runs scored, 82 RBIs, and 57 walks in 545 plate appearances (482 at-bats).
With Berra quarterbacking the pitching workers, the Bronx Bombers cleared the Chicago White Sox by eight video games for the staff’s ninth pennant in eleven years.
And whereas the Yankees in the end fell to the Braves in a hard-fought however disspiriting seven-game World Sequence, Berra was exemplary in defeat.
He went 8-for-25 (.320) towards Milwaukee pitching with a homer, a double, two RBIs, 5 runs scored, and a team-best 4 walks.
1957 Topps #400 Dodgers’ Sluggers
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $850
Just like the Mantle/Berra card earlier on this listing, the “Dodgers’ Sluggers” can also be extraordinarily common.
Showcasing 4 of Brooklyn’s greatest bats, the panorama design can barely match a lot energy onto one card.
The reverse of the cardboard is a incredible learn:
“The Massive 4 of the Brooklyn Membership tossed their weight across the Nationwide League once more final yr after they hit a complete of 116 homers.
As a unit they’ve slugged the Dodgers to five Pennants.
Within the 1955 World Sequence, they introduced the primary World Championship to Brooklyn.
In that Fall Basic, Snider hit 4 homers and Hodges and Furillo mixed forces for 15 hits with Gil driving in each runs within the final sport to beat the Yanks 2-0.
Campanella’s nice taking part in was a significant component within the Dodgers success.
Through the ’55 season he hit 32 homers and gained the M.V.P. Award for the third time.
The identical yr Duke was the highest man within the League with 136 R.B.I.’s.
With this righthand energy plus Snider’s capability to hit any pitching, N.L. lefties shudder after they hurl towards the Dodgers.”
Understandably, Brooklyn Dodger followers adore this card.
1957 Topps #24 Invoice Mazeroski Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $800
A yr earlier than incomes the primary of ten All-Star appearances, Invoice Mazeroski staked his declare as one of the crucial invaluable second basemen within the Majors.
One of the crucial sure-handed infielders of his era, or any era for that matter, the Pittsburgh Pirates legend performed in an period when second basemen did not hit for a lot.
He labored exhausting to buck that pattern in ’57, partnering with Pirates coach and Corridor-of Famer George Sisler to tweak his hitting method.
That meant slowing down and giving again what pitchers gave him somewhat than simply seeking to pull every little thing.
Sisler’s tutelage paid dividends proper from the soar.
The 20-year-old hit an eye-popping .442 in 18 Spring Coaching video games, priming himself for an enormous 1957 marketing campaign.
Mazeroski could not proceed that torrid tempo for the last-place Pirates however nonetheless put collectively a profession yr.
He hit a career-best .283 on the season with eight residence runs, 27 doubles, seven triples, 59 runs scored, and 54 RBIs in 568 plate appearances (526 at-bats).
The Pirates sunk and sunk exhausting in ’57.
But, Mazeroski’s mere presence meant loads of hope for the long run.
1957 Topps #25 Whitey Ford
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $750
Go away it to Whitey Ford to suppose his approach by way of critical shoulder points en path to down-ballot MVP consideration.
The long run Cy Younger winner and World Sequence MVP was as heady as ever in 1957.
And in a yr the place Ford did not have his greatest stuff, he held issues collectively admirably because of his on-field smarts and sheer willpower
“The Chairman of the Board” gutted his approach by way of his first handful of appearances till hitting the disabled listing for six weeks in late Might.
When Ford returned, Yankees supervisor Casey Stengel picked and selected his spots, figuring out that the 28-year-old could be an ace up his sleeve in October.
Ford appeared in simply 24 video games in ’57, beginning 17 and finishing simply 5.
The 129.1 innings he spent on the mound have been classic Ford, accidents be damned.
He completed the common season at 11-5 with a minuscule 2.57 ERA, surrendering 114 hits and 53 walks.
Even the controversy of the legend-spinning Copacabana brawl (and subsequent commerce of Ford’s shut good friend, Billy Martin) wasn’t sufficient to cease him from crossing the end line.
Within the World Sequence, Ford was at his best possible.
He tossed an entire sport five-hitter for a 3-1 win in Recreation 1 and went tit-for-tat with Milwaukee’s Lew Burdette in a tense 1-0 Recreation 5 loss.
The Yankees misplaced the sequence in seven, however Ford went down together with his greatest shot.
1957 Topps #300 Mike Garcia
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $750
Mike Garcia loved a noteworthy Main League Baseball profession primarily with the Cleveland Indians from 1948 to 1961.
A right-handed pitcher recognized for his sturdiness and ability, Garcia emerged as a key pitcher throughout the Indians’ aggressive years.
As a rookie in 1949, Garcia raised eyebrows when he lead the Majors in ERA (.236).
Within the early 50s, Garcias was one of the crucial dominant pitchers in all of baseball.
Garcia twice gained twenty or extra video games in 1951 and 1952, virtually making it thrice in 1954 when he went 19-8.
A 3-time All-Star, Garcia obtained a shot at World Sequence glory in 1954 when the Indians squared off towards Willie Mays and the mighty New York Giants.
Sadly for Indians followers, no one might sluggish the New York freight prepare, with the Giants sweeping them in a decisive rout.
Garcia made two appearances within the ’54 Sequence, as soon as because the starter in Recreation 3, the place he allowed 5 hits and three runs within the eventualy 6-2 loss to New York.
Regardless of the unlucky outcomes of the ’54 World Sequence, Garcia’s legacy as among the best pitchers of the period remained intact.
1957 Topps #335 Granny Hamner
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $750
Born Granville Hamner in Richmond, Virginia in 1927, “Granny” Hamner excelled as a center infielder, primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies, throughout his seventeen seasons within the Bigs.
At simply 17 years previous, Hamner made his MLB debut on September 14, 1944, going 0-1 in a 12-1 loss to the New York Giants.
The next season, Hamner began at quick for Philly throughout their season-openener at Ebbets Area towards the Brooklyn Dodgers, changing into the youngest participant ever to start out an Opening Day sport.
Hamner would bounce across the Majors and Minors from 1945 to 1947 earlier than settling in as a full-timer for the Phillies in 1948.
At 23 years previous and already in his seventh season, Hamner gained additional notoriety as one of many “Whiz Children”, the 1950 Phillies squad comprised of a number of children who gained the NL pennant that season.
A 3-time All-Star, Hamner constructed a repute as a stable hitter who might each produce and rating runs, whereas showcasing a stable glove on protection.
At his peak, Hamner had the honour of being the Nationwide League’s beginning shortstop throughout the 1952 All-Star sport in entrance of the hometown crowd at Shibe Park.
1957 Topps #338 Jim Bunning Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $750
Beneath the steerage of Detroit Tigers supervisor Jack Tighe, Jim Bunning was handed the ball for the second sport of the 1957 season, a choice that will form his profession.
He was this near quitting after bouncing to and from the Majors for 2 years, and he was uninterested in working in a mop-up bullpen function.
This was his probability to make a mark and make it depend.
In his first begin of ’57, although, Bunning skilled some turbulence.
He surrendered 4 consecutive singles to open the sport and was pulled unceremoniously proper then and there.
Tighe despatched him again to the bullpen for over a month, imploring the child to work on his arsenal and management.
Bunning did simply that, tightening his command whereas growing a nasty slider that will grow to be his trademark.
Given a second probability as a starter on Might sixteenth, Bunning dazzled in a five-hitter towards the Boston Crimson Sox.
In his subsequent look, the righty pitched 13 innings of one-run ball towards the Orioles.
From there, he was off to the races.
Named to his first All-Star staff and ending ninth within the league’s MVP race, Bunning gained an AL-best 20 video games towards eight losses.
He pitched to a sterling 2.69 ERA in 45 video games (30 begins), finishing 14 video games and surrendering simply 214 hits in a league-best 267.1 innings pitched.
1957 Topps #298 Irv Noren
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $625
Irv Noren started his skilled profession in 1946 as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ farm system.
And by 1949, he would grow to be the the Triple-A Pacific Coast League MVP after hitting .330 with 224 hits, 29 homers and 130 RBIs.
Sadly for the Dodgers, the timing could not have been worse.
With a jam-packed outfield that already included Duke Snider, Carl Furillo, Gene Hermanski, and Jim Russell, the Dodgers could not make room for Noren.
As a substitute, they shipped him off to the Washington Senators.
Noren made a right away impression throughout his 1950 rookie marketing campaign in Washington, incomes down-ballot MVP votes after batting .295 with 14 residence runs, 98 RBIs, and 80 runs scored.
But, regardless of performing nicely for the Senators, he would quickly be despatched to the New York Yankess in 1952 as a part of a multi-player commerce.
Whereas in New York, Noren loved his solely All-Star look in 1953 and served as an integral part of their two World-Sequence-winning squads in 1952 and 1954.
From 1957 to 1960, Noren would bounce round from Kansas Metropolis, St. Louis, and Chicago earlier than lastly touchdown with the Dodgers, the staff who initially scouted him, for his ultimate season in 1960.
1957 Topps #347 Hal Naragon
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $625
Hal Naragon’s Main League Baseball profession spanned from 1951 to 1962, primarily as a catcher for the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and the Washington Senators.
With a profession .991 fielding share, Naragon earned a repute for his proficiency behind the plate, managing pitchers and dealing with sport eventualities successfully.
Due to his navy service within the Korean Warfare, Naragon would miss your complete 1952 and 1953 seasons.
From then on, Naragon established himself as a dependable backstop, beginning in a career-high 54 video games for Cleveland and the Washington Senators in 1959.
Over his profession, he performed in 424 video games, amassing a profession .266 batting common with 262 hits in 1,088 plate appearances.
Though he didn’t earn particular person accolades, Naragon’s constant efficiency and contributions helped his groups of their pursuit of postseason success.
This included his contribution the Cleveland Indians’ pursuit of a World Sequence championship in 1954.
1957 Topps #324 Dodgers Staff
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $525
1957 Topps #125 Al Kaline
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $475
By no means one to be cordial with the media or the followers, Detroit Tigers outfielder Al Kaline withdrew additional into himself in 1957.
It began, because it usually does, with a contract dispute.
After the 1956 marketing campaign, Kaline sought a elevate from Tigers president Spike Briggs.
Briggs responded by sending the 22-year-old a lowball provide.
Kaline volleyed proper again, mailing the contract again to the Detroit prez unsigned.
Briggs went to the press, chastising Kaline for believing he was on the identical stage as a participant like Mickey Mantle.
Kaline finally obtained most of what he wished, however many followers and sportswriters turned on him for what they thought was a egocentric contract holdout.
The unhealthy vibes adopted the younger star into the 1957 season.
Kaline struggled mightily within the first half.
Whereas he secured a 3rd All-Star nod, many considered him as an underachiever heading into the latter a part of the season.
He punched again with an amazing second half, albeit not sufficient to spice up his numbers to the heights of his earlier two campaigns.
The 1955 batting champ dipped underneath .300 (.295) for the primary time, and his .821 OPS was over 90 factors worse than his ’56 output.
Kaline nonetheless had loads of pop, crushing 23 residence runs and driving in 90.
He additionally landed tenth within the league’s MVP race whereas grabbing his first Gold Glove.
It wasn’t precisely a misplaced season, but it positive was a bumpy journey.
1957 Topps #210 Roy Campanella
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Worth: $475
It wasn’t supposed to finish this manner.
A 3-time All-Star when he got here to Brooklyn in 1948, Roy Campanella hit overdrive in his decade in Dodger Blue.
Three NL MVP seasons (1951, 1953, 1955) and a World Sequence title later (1955), Campanella was one of many sport’s most achieved and beloved catchers in 1957.
The season itself, nevertheless, was a making an attempt one.
Recurring hand accidents sidelined Campanella for almost a month and a half.
When he did swimsuit up, he did not have the identical oomph in his swing.
Failing to earn an All-Star nod for the primary time since 1948, Campanella slashed simply .242/.316/.388 with 13 residence runs, 9 doubles, 31 runs scored, and 62 RBIs in 380 plate appearances (330 at-bats).
After the season ended, the Dodgers made their transfer to Los Angeles official.
Campanella was lower than happy (as have been lots of the Dodgers’ gamers) however nonetheless deliberate to run it again in 1958 in Southern California.
It wasn’t to be.
In January 1958, Campanella misplaced management of a rental automobile on an icy road in Harlem.
The ensuing accident left him paralyzed from the neck down.
It was an entire tragedy.
It was brutally unfair.
But, it could not erase Campanella’s impression or his place in baseball lore.
1957 Topps Baseball Playing cards In Assessment
Not everybody loves this set, however you are not going to search out many who dislike it.
Pastime historians will level to the set’s new dimensions, full-color images, and full-career statistics as maybe their high selections for admiring the set.
The widespread collector will level to Corridor-of-Fame rookie playing cards in Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Don Drysdale, Whitey Herzog, Invoice Mazeroski and Jim Bunning as their main points of interest.
And almost everybody loves the entire pastime legends like Mantle, Aaron, Mays, Clemente, Koufax and extra.
There’s simply an excessive amount of going for this set that make it exhausting to not discover one thing to love.
Topps elevated the set to 407 playing cards, in comparison with 340 of their 1956 launch, giving collectors a a lot bigger problem to finish.
And, the truth that they short-printed the 4th sequence playing cards, these have been even harder.
Collectors seeking to full the set may also discover it difficult to search out the guidelines playing cards free from any markings, as most youngsters used them as they have been supposed: to maintain monitor of what that they had.
Total, I can not say sufficient good issues about the1957 Topps baseball set.
And it ought to proceed being common for years to come back.
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