Thursday, December 10, 2020

Reprints: 1940 Play Ball Philadelphia A's Team Set

 The Athletics left Philadelphia long ago, and the Phillies maintained their history in the city for many years through their inclusion on the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.  Other than that you don't hear much about them locally; I have worked in Philly for the past 12.5 years, and I think exactly one time I saw someone wearing a Philadelphia A's tshirt (with the elephant logo).  While I've picked up a handful of Philadelphia A's cards, I wanted some from the 1940 Play Ball set that I also have a handful of.  I decided, however, that I had spent enough lately, and opted for some cheap reprints instead.  I don't have more than a few reprints in my collection, but this seemed like an appropriate reason to get some.

Connie Mack.
"Save these cards..." back.
Of course the biggest draw is Connie Mack.  I think the only other Connie Mack I have is his Baseball Immortals.  It's good to have another of the legend.  Come to think of it, it would be great to have a card of his namesake stadium, since Connie Mack Stadium (the former Shibe Park) is where Dad went to games when he was a kid.  Dad was an orphan, and he said that sometimes some of the young men who worked at the orphanage/school that he attended/lived at would take the boys to a Phillies game at Connie Mack. 

Sam Chapman
"SUPERMAN" back.

There are two variants of the card backs on the 1940 Play Ball.  The Connie Mack above displays the "Save these cards..." variant, and this Sam Chapman shows the Superman Gum back.  Chapman was with the A's from 1938 to 1941, then was in the US Navy as a pilot, then again with the A's from 1945 to 1951.  He closed out his career with the Indians in 1951.
Frank Hayes.
Wally Moses.
Frankie Hayes was a 6-time All-Star, playing in the majors from 1933-1947.  Wally Moses was a 2-time All-Star, playing from 1935-1951.  Moses won three World Series as a coach, two with the Yankees and one with the Tigers.
Bob Johnson.
Frank Baker.
When he retired, Bob Johnson was #8 on the all-time home run list with 288.  Home Run Baker wasn't a current player in 1940, having played in the dead ball era instead.  After his playing days had ended, Baker was a manager of a team in Easton, MD and discovered Jimmie Foxx.  That itself would be quite the legacy.  Baker of course is in the Hall of Fame.
Charley Berry.
John Babich.
Charlie Berry was a two-sport guy, playing in the NFL with the Pottsville Maroons.  He was part of the team that famously had their NFL title taken away and awarded to the Cardinals.  Of course this has resulted in the NFL Cardinals being cursed!  (I'm not a football guy, but it's my impression that this is still important to some folks here in PA.)  John Babich was a pitcher with a career 30-45 record and a 4.93 ERA.
Dick Siebert.
Chubby Dean.
Dick Siebert had an ok career, including one All-Star appearance during the WWII years.  But his real legacy, apparently, is as one of the greatest collegiate baseball coaches ever, after a long career at University of Minnesota.  Chubby Dean was a pitcher who put together a 30-46 career record with a 5.08 ERA.
Moose Earnshaw.
Dee Miles.
Moose Earnshaw was a pitcher who led the AL in wins in 1929, helping the Athletics to the World Series championship then, and again the following year.  Dee Miles was an outfielder who played with the Senators, Athletics, and Red Sox between 1935 and 1943, with a .280 career average.

Of these guys, Mack, Chapman, Moses, Johnson, Baker, and Earnshaw are on the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.

Thanks for reading!

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