Let's interrupt our steroid discussion for a bit. Name this old-time Cub. As usual, a $10 gift card from Distant Replays to the first person with the correct ID. (Previous winners not eligible) Don't you love those old-style posed photos where the pitcher doesn't even have a ball in his glove?
0 recs | 28 comments
moe drabowsky
doofus cubs guy - February 14, 2009
Nope.
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
Hiram Bithorn
Chubby Hugs - February 14, 2009
Little known fact that he was.......
1st Puerto Rican to make it to the big league
Clutche - February 14, 2009
That fact is true.
But it’s not who is in the photo.
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
Earl Averill?
cubbybear - February 14, 2009
This is Averill.
And this gets my vote for “Worst Attempt To Change A Baseball Player’s Card Photo To Match His New Team”:
The Cubs got him from Cleveland before the 1959 season.
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
They called him Godfather...
…but he’s Vito Valentinetti by any other name.
Sir Max - February 14, 2009
Just beat me
Nice theme today Al.
Chubby Hugs - February 14, 2009
Nice job
cubbybear - February 14, 2009
DINGDINGDING!!!
Winner. Was wondering how long it would take people to figure out the holiday theme of today’s selection.
According to this, Valentinetti was once voted to have “the most Italian name in baseball history”.
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
Walter John "Monk" Dubiel?
cubbybear - February 14, 2009
See above for the winner.
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
Ok, I'm to late to win, but
he DOES have a baseball in the glove, Al. Look closely . . .
Shanghai Badger - February 14, 2009
Where?
Hidden behind his hand?
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
It sure looks like it's between his thumb and forefinger
Unless that’s just how his fingers are sitting in the glove. Maybe it’s the quailty of the pic.
Shanghai Badger - February 14, 2009
I think a baseball is too large to be in that small space.
IIRC many of the Topps card photos from that era were posed without baseballs in the glove. Why, I have no idea.
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
Yeah, maybe so
I just looked his info up; he’s no bigger than I am. If he was 6’5" / 220, that would be more likely that a baseball could fit.
Shanghai Badger - February 14, 2009
Posed? Check out this 1st baseball from the same 1957 Topps set
What’s wrong with this picture?
flachimesa - February 14, 2009
LOL
That’s not his glove, obviously. Hale was lefthanded.
But they probably let him have a ball in his glove because he wasn’t a pitcher.
Al Yellon - February 14, 2009
Uh
The guy is this picture is wearing a glove on his right hand. How is that inconsistent with being lefthanded?
azjazzman - February 16, 2009
I looked at it again.
It looks, at first glance, like he’s wearing a fielder’s glove backwards.
But a closer look shows it’s a lefthanded first baseman’s glove.
Which is exactly what this LH first baseman should be wearing.
Al Yellon - February 16, 2009
It says first base......
…. but if you look at the infield behind him, he’s over at third.
BeerCub - February 14, 2009
and in foul territory to boot...
ballhawk - February 15, 2009
I think there is a ball there....
… way back on his fingers. The glove is open enough to accomodate one. Which isn’t to say Topps didn’t pose guys without baseballs, but I think there is one in this picture.
BeerCub - February 14, 2009
I'm watching the Godfather (Part 2) right now
How fitting.
Brett Taylor - February 14, 2009
Name that Cub
I still have my 1958 Topps Vito Valentinetti baseball card. And I’d be happy to sell it to you for 3 thousand dollars This was the year that Topps thought that that it was ok to use pink as a background color for their later series cards. Fifty years later, It’s still not ok to use pink..
My all time favorite common baseball card was Detroit Tigers Reno Bertoia. Next in line would be K.C. A’s Jerry Lumpe. The Mickey Mantle cards just weren’t there dude. They all went to Billy Crystal, so they say.
Ed
Fanzone - February 15, 2009
You mean this card?
You’re right. It’s not OK to use pink.
Al Yellon - February 15, 2009
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