The 18th Edition of 'Who's Who Magazine, 1950 issue, features four aces of diamonds. Pictures of their top four players from each league are printed in the middle of the playing cards. The playing cards are about 3 inches x 5 inches and the players are in their batting or pitching poses.
Along side of the cards are a short printed description of the players previous season, 1949. Here's some interesting reading for our fans:
American League Aces 1949 Exact Wording 'Who's Who - 1950'
Mel Parnell, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox; The iron-hearted lefty was the kingpin hurler of the league last year. Playing his second full season with the Red Sox, he led the field in ERA with 2.78 in 39 games; pitched the most complete games (27); won most games (25); worked most innings.
Phil Rizzuto, Shortstop, New York Yankees; The brilliant little vet was the most valuable player in the AL last season, say thousands of fans. His never failing spirit sparked the Bombers in their great pennant battle. He led AL shortstops defensively with .971 in 153 games. He hit .275, Scored 110 runs, knocked in 64 more, stole 18 bases.
Bob Lemon, Pitcher, Cleveland Indians; Bob was the only member of the '48 champs who looked like a champ in '49. He led the Tribe hurlers in every department - and was among the top three in the AL. He won 22 games, had an ERA of 2.99, pitched 280 innings and 22 complete games.
George Kell, 3rd Base, Detroit Tigers; After a 1948 of incapacitating injuries, Kell came back last season to nose out none other than Ted Williams for the AL batting championship. He won it on the final day, finishing with .3429 to Ted's .3427. Defensively, Kell's work was great, as usual. His FA- second best For AL third sackers - was .975.
Alex Kellner, Pitcher, Philadelphia A's; The sparkling young lefty could almost be called a rookie. He worked in only 3 games for the A's in '48, and led Mack's entire hurling staff. He pitched 245 innings in 38 games, was one of five AL throwers to get 20 wins, pitched 20 complete games, whiffed 94 batters. That's an ace-high record.
Luke Appling, Shortstop, Chicago White Sox; Long-wearing Luke was honored last Jan. 22 by the Chicago Baseball Writers 'for long and meritorious service to baseball.' He said that he would certainly be in the lineup this year - and he probably will. Last season Luke set a new, lifetime record for the majors with 2198 games played at short.
National League Aces 1949 Exact Wording Who's Who - 1950
'PeeWee' Reese, Shortstop, Brooklyn Dodgers; The humming dynamo played every game on the schedule in high gear last year. He led all NL shortstops in fielding with .977. He was a constant inspiration to the team, helped put winning fight in every Dodger player. He batted .279, leading his mates in runs scored with 132. And he stole 26 bases, second only to leader Jackie Robinson.
Stan Musial, Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals; The Man of the Majors missed the Most Valuable Player Award by 38 points last year. And his BA slumped to a mere .342, four points off the pace of Champ Robinson. But Stan led the circuit for the fifth time in base hits with 207; amassed most total bases (382); most doubles (41); tied colleague Slaughter for most triples (13). He's still very much The Man.
Ken Raffensberger, Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds; The off-traded vet who says he has only three pitches with nothing on any of them, had a bright-light record last season. He took part in more games (41) than any other member of the Red staff; he led in innings pitched (284) and strikeouts (103). And he was the only Cincy hurler to win oftener than he lost (W18, L17).
Bobby Thomson, Outfielder, New York Giants; Bobby could have the regular, Middle garden job on most any team in the majors if Durocher wanted to make a deal. Last season he was the Giants ace in games played (156); runs (99); hits (198), total Bases (332), doubles (35), triples (3), homers (27); RBI (109) and BA (.309). Durocher Wouldn't trade him. Would you?
Carl Furillo, Outfielder, Brooklyn Dodgers; Furillo gave thanks for his first chance to play full time in the majors, by big ace performance last season. He hit .426 in the final 46 games had a season BA of .322 with 106 RBI. A painful injury during the last game of the campaign, greatly impaired his value in the World Series.
Hank Sauer, Outfielder, Chicago Cubs; The big ball-buster came to the Cubs last year after playing 42 games for Cincinnati. He hit 35 homers for the Reds in '48, but was way off that pace in '49 - before joining the Bruins. As a Cub, he hit 27 round trippers and proved to be the all-around strong man on their so-called attack. baseballhistorian.com archives "Who's Who Magazine- 1950 Edition" |