I believe I converse for a lot of collectors within the SABR neighborhood after I say that it’s exhausting to analysis a baseball subject with out rapidly deciding you want the playing cards. Definitely this was the case for me in my early days studying about Dave Hoskins, and it was the case as soon as once more as I expanded my analysis focus past Hoskins himself to different Barrier Breakers of the Texas League.
This broader subject was the topic of my article within the 2025 version of “The National Pastime” in addition to my speak at SABR 53. In case you’re not heading to Dallas 😊 here’s a desk displaying the gamers that built-in every of the Texas League franchises and kind the inspiration of this new assortment.
Like most enjoyable amassing enterprises, the desk consists of a mixture of straightforward and troublesome, together with many alternative methods to assault issues. I’ll share beneath the actual playing cards I went with, however I’ll additionally spotlight some options that may make extra sense for different collectors.
Dave Hoskins (Dallas Eagles)
I didn’t actually must do something right here since I’d already constructed up a sizeable Dave Hoskins assortment. That stated, the “grail” right here could be the pitcher’s 1952 Globe Printing card because it reveals him as a Dallas Eagle.
Nevertheless, a superb different is Hoskins’ 1954 Topps card, which isn’t solely his rookie card but additionally tells the story of the dying threats he acquired whereas integrating the Texas League.
Invoice Greason – Oklahoma Metropolis Indians
Invoice Greason could have the hardest playing cards of the bunch, even when we depend fashionable tributes. The grail is his 1949-50 Toleteros card out of Cuba, however I’ve by no means truly seen one. Within the meantime, I’m a fan of his 2024 Topps Dwelling Set card from artist Angel S. Aviles.
Greason has a handful of different playing cards as nicely, however none are significantly straightforward. For that matter, neither was this one!
Chuck Harmon (Tulsa Oilers)
Harmon, who additionally built-in the Cincinnati Reds (together with Nino Escalera), has a number of reasonably priced playing cards from which to decide on. My private favourite, based mostly on visible enchantment, is his 1955 Topps card. Total, he has playing cards in every of the Topps flagship units from 1954-58, plus a bonus Topps card within the 1955 Topps Double Headers set.
Charlie White (San Antonio Missions)
Largely based mostly on worth and aesthetics I opted for White’s 1955 Topps card. Nevertheless, there are a pair enjoyable Johnston’s Cookies choices in addition to a loopy cool trying minor league card from the 1952 Parkhurst set.
Buster Clarkson (Beaumont Exporters)
The grail playing cards right here come from varied Toleteros units of the late Forties and early Fifties. The straightforward card comes from the 1986 Fritsch Negro League Baseball Stars set. In my case, I break up the distinction with a 1972 Puerto Rican Winter League sticker.
Bob Boyd (Houston Buffaloes)
Boyd has loads of Topps playing cards, and even a Bowman and a Leaf, between 1953 and 1961, together with varied image pack and oddball points from his taking part in profession. My favourite of the bunch is his 1958 Topps card.
Maury Wills (Fort Price Cats)
Like Hoskins, Wills is a participant I acquire, so there was no must exit and discover one thing new right here. As Wills doesn’t have any playing cards with the Cats, classic or fashionable, I’ve chosen has 1960 Bell Model card as a stand-in.
No one (Shreveport Sports activities)
Take into account this one the free sq. in your bingo card. Nevertheless, have been you searching for some form of cardboard stand-in, you would possibly go along with two-time batting champ Tommy Davis to characterize the built-in Victoria Rosebuds workforce that changed Shreveport within the league at first of the 1958 season.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
In lots of instances, the mixing of a Texas League workforce was rapidly adopted by that very same workforce’s addition or debut of a second Black participant. In some instances there are playing cards, and in some instances there should not.
Jose Santiago (Dallas Eagles)
Simply over a month after Hoskins built-in the league, the Eagles added Puerto Rican ace Jose “Pantalones” Santiago to the pitching employees. I really like his 1956 Topps card, which can be a far simpler discover than a few of his earlier Cuban playing cards.
Nino Escalera (Tulsa Oilers)
Regardless of integrating the Cincinnati Reds in 1954, Escalera, who made it into the Tulsa lineup a pair weeks after Harmon, has only a few mainstream playing cards. Due to this fact, it was a serious coup for me to land this Cuban card of Saturnino from the 1949-50 Toleteros set.
Harry Wilson (San Antonio Missions)
Wilson was on the Opening Day roster when White, a catcher, built-in the workforce. Nevertheless, Wilson didn’t get his flip within the rotation till three days later. Good factor, in case you’re a collector, since Wilson seems to don’t have any playing cards other than a customized I put collectively for my Texas League Barrier Breakers unofficial set.
Jesse Williams (Beaumont Exporters)
Williams made his Beaumont debut just a few weeks after Clarkson and didn’t keep lengthy in any respect.
Although I wouldn’t thoughts considered one of his early Cuban or minor league playing cards, I’m completely satisfied to have his 1987 Phil Dixon’s Negro League Greats card.
Ed Moore (Fort Price Cats)
The Dodgers despatched Moore to Fort Price concurrently Maury Wills, however Wills made it there a pair days forward. As with Harry Wilson, good factor, since Moore has a complete of zero playing cards.
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Total, this can be a assortment I’m actually having fun with, even if so most of the playing cards and gamers are off the radar of most collectors. Really, let me attempt that once more. It’s a group I’m actually having fun with, largely as a result of so most of the the playing cards and gamers are off the radar of most collectors!
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