Eight Crazy Nights - Six

Happy 6th night of Hanukkah!  Maybe it seems like it will never end, eh?  

Tonight we honor another Jewish ballplayer, Sid Gordon.

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Happy Chanukah!

I grew up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood on the far north side of Chicago and though I'm not at all religious I do call myself culturally Jewish.  Having moved to another state a few years ago, I now live in a small town that as far as I can tell is exclusively Christian.  As a way of staying connected to my roots I've started collecting cards featuring Jewish athletes.  Here's one of my favorites, a vintage Sid Gordon from the 1948 Bowman set.  Happy Chanukah!

This as Adam Sandler's most recent version:

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.""

 2004 UD Timeless Teams #8

Mudcat with Larry Doby and Satchel Paige

Mudcat's book

 Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke is celebrating his 63rd birthday today.

 1971-72 Topps #114

Golf legend Ben Hogan was born in Stephenville, Texas on this date in 1912.

Hogan with Ike in 1953

Hogan at the British Open 1953

Hogan with another legend, Byron Nelson

Hogan and Sam Snead

Wow! Snead-Bobby Jones-Hogan at The Masters

Hogan's classic golf instruction book

Card of the Day -- Sid Gordon

This was just going to be a regular old Card of the Day post until I saw a post from one of my favorite bloggers who made a comment that made me think a bit (no I didn't hurt myself).  He thought it "weird" that Topps would put out a card like this, connecting two players by their religious background.

(thanks to COMC for this image)

 I don't think it's weird at all.  I'm not going to attempt to write a thesis here but guys like Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax have meant a lot to Jews, especially sports minded Jewish boys and I would think this continues today.  I'm aware that Ryan Braun is Jewish and there is a measure of cultural pride I take in his accomplishments.  By putting out this card Topps is honoring not only the players but their fans.

That being said here's another great Jewish ballplayer, Sid Gordon on his 1953 Topps card.