May 29, 2012 Renko, McAnally and Gardner

Got back three today.

Steve Renko

Steve started in the Mets organization and then pitched for the Expos for many years.

Ernie McAnally

Mr McAnally pitched for the Expos from 1971 to 1974 going 30-49.

 
 Rob Gardner


I remember seeing Rob Gardner pitch in Yankee Stadium for the Yankees in 1972 when he went 8-5.
  He also pithed for the Mets in the 1960s

 
 

May 28, 2012 200 Ted Schreiber Cards

Went to Adorama  to pick up the 200 Ted Schreiber 1963 Mets custom cards he wanted me to make for him. If you try to get Ted's autograph through the mail, you may get one of these cards.

May 26, 2012

Mailman came really early today, got 4 returns.

Wally Wolf

Wally Wolf pitched in 6 games with the California Angels in 1969-1970 with a 0-0 record. He pitched with the Astros, Reds and Angels farm systems in the 1960s. He sent me a really nice note which I'll post here.

Gene Leek

Gene played for the Indians in 1959 and the Los Angeles Angels 1961 and 62. After that he played in the minors until 1969.

Tom Tischinski

Tom started his career in the Reds organization and was drafted by the Twins in 1967. He made the majors   in 1969 and stayed with the Twins until 1971.

Ray Crone

Ray was a starting pitcher for the 1955-56 Milwaukee Braves.

May 25, 2012 Six Returns Today

Roy Gleason

Roy played for the Dodgers in 1963 and was drafted by the Army and went to Vietnam where he received a Purple Heart. He tried to make it back to the Dodgers after his return but played in the minors in 1969.

He also added his own photo

Rick Kester

Rick Kester pitched for the Atlanta Braves from 1968-1970

Al Weis

Mr Weis played infield for the Chicago White Sox from 1962-1967 and then was traded with Tommie Agee to the NY Mets where they won the World Series in 1969.

Don Taussig

I sent Mr Taussig 3 custom cards and he signed the Colt 45s and the Cardinals cards but didn't sign the Milwaukee Braves card writing that he was never under contract to the Braves. I looked at the photo and it sure looks like Don so I checked BaseballRefernce.com and sure enough he was drafted be the Braves from the Colt 45s in the November 1962 Minor League Draft. Oh well......

Ron Cook

Ron pitched for the Houston Astros in 1970 and 1971, going 4-8 in 48 games. He wrote a very detailed letter about where the photos were taken and asked for copies for his grand kids......plus he pointed out that I made him right handed on the 1969 custom....OOOPPSS. I'll have to fix that before I send him his copies.

Jim Saul

Jim Saul never played in the major leagues but he has been a player or coach for over 50 years in the minor leagues. He signed one of the 1966 customs on the back.

May 24, 2012 Five Returns Today

Good mail day as I got back 5 returns, some got a little damp from all the rain in NYC today.

Jimmie Schaffer

Jimmie was a backup catcher with the Cardinals, Mets, Cubs, White Sox and Reds in the 1960s.

Dan Neville

Mr Neville never pitched in the big leagues but he did appear on a 1965 Topps "Reds Rookie Stars" card. He sent me a nice email and I'll be sending him some copies of the cards.

Bill Parsons

Bill was drafted by the Seattle Pilots in 1968 and pitched for the Brewers in 1971 and 1972 and was 1971 The Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year and he finished second to Chris Chambliss for AL Rookie of the Year.

Bob Botz

Bob was a pitcher for the 1962 LA Angels going 2-1. He spent most of his career with the Milwaukee Braves organization.

Billy Connors

Pitched with the 1966 Cubs and the 1967-68 Mets but is more known for being the pitching coach for several teams and the Yankees three times.

May 23, 2012 Joe Schaffernoth

Joe Schaffernoth

Mr Schaffernoth pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 1959- July 1961 when he was sold to the Cleveland Indians.After the season, he was purchased by the Washington Senators but he never pitched for them in a major league game.

May 21, 2012 Taylor Phillips and Ken MacKenzie

Taylor Phillips

Mr Phillips played for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs and  Philadelphia Phillies in the late 1950s. All three photos used to make the cards were originally black and white and were colorized. The 1957 card was my first attempt at a horizontal style to better show the photo.

Ken MacKenzie

Was born in Canada and now lives in Connecticut. Graduated from Yale in 1956 and was a member of the 1962 Mets.

From Wikipedia:  Manager Casey Stengel was quoted that MacKenzie was a great kid. "He's a splendid young fella with a great education from Yale University. His signing with us makes him the lowest paid member of the class of Yale '56