Can't Have Too Many Cards: Blow Out the Candles August 13

Monday, August 13, 2012

Blow Out the Candles August 13

Pitcher and US Congressman Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" Mizell was born in Vinegar Bend, Alabama on this date in 1930.

One of my favorite cards.

1953 Topps #128

Wilmer was 13-5 for the 1960 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. After baseball he went into politics, serving three terms, 1968-74, as congressman from North Carolina. He also had appointed positions in both the Ford and Reagan administrations.

His public service record:

elected Davidson County commissioner and later selected as chairman, Board of County Commissioners, 1966; elected as a Republican to the Ninety-first and to the two succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1969-January 3, 1975); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1974 to the Ninety-fourth Congress; Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, March 1975 to May 1976; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1976 to the Ninety-fifth Congress; Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Governmental and Public Affairs under President Ronald Reagan; under President George Bush Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, and executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

One of the all-time great Jewish ballplayers Sid Gordon was born in Brooklyn, New York on this date in 1917.

Coincidentally another great card from 1953.

1953 Topps #117

Sid ranks third in home runs (202) by a Jewish player behind Hank Greenberg and Shawn Green.

Sid with Jackie and Joe (all looking uncomfortable)

1964 Topps #133

From BaseballLibrary.com:

"Colorful Mudcat Grant was not only a 14-year ML pitcher, but a broadcaster and entertainer. He spent his first seven-plus seasons with the Indians, compiling a 67-63 record. He then reached his pinnacle with the 1965 pennant-winning Twins, leading the AL in victories and winning percentage (21-7, .750) and in shutouts (six). He defeated the Dodgers in the World Series opener 8-2, lost Game Four 7-2, and won Game Six 5-1, helping himself with a three-run homer. He worked mostly in relief after his trade to the Dodgers in November of 1967, and in 1969 recorded the expansion Expos' first win. With Oakland and Pittsburgh in 1970, he went 8-3 (1.87) with 24 saves. Sporting muttonchop sideburns, he was the lead singer of a group called "Mudcat and the Kittens.""