Cards are numbered #1 - #210, but 4 cards were never made, making this 206 card set, the smallest that Topps would ever produce unless you include the 1951 Topps Doubles Baseball Playing cards.
Can anyone name the 4 players that should have been in the set without looking? Answer will be at the bottom of this post.
The 1955 Topps high number series which includes card #161 - #210 are a little more scarce. I have one from the high number series on my page.
Here's what I got.
#6 Stan Hack - Featured here as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, Hack had relatively little success as a manager, but he is likely one of the better players that you've never heard of. The five time All-Star played his entire career for the Cubs between 1932 - 1947. He batted .301 lifetime with 2,193 hits and as a third baseman he led the N.L. in stolen bases twice.
#41 Chuck Stobbs - Stobbs pitched for 5 different teams and the Senators twice over his 15 year career, but with a losing record and ERA above 4.00 he is probably best known for giving up the 565 foot home run to Mickey Mantle that exited Griffith Stadium in 1953.
#61 "Spook" Jacobs - An avid stamp collector, Spook had part of his personal stamp collection showcased at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
#77 Arnold Portocarrero - The 6' 3" right-hander led the Orioles in wins in 1954 with 9 and was second in the A.L. in losses with 18.
#80 Bob Grim - This is the rookie card of the 1954 A.L. Rookie of the Year. Grim was 20-6 with a 3.26 ERA in his rookie season.
#147 Laurin Pepper = A collegiate football star, Laurin was drafted by the Steelers in 1954, but choose baseball instead.
#154 Willie Miranda - Try looking up Willie Miranda. I couldn't find him. Now try Willy Miranda. This card was printed after Willy played his final major league baseball game.
#184 Harry Perkowski - A below average pitcher featured in a Cubs uniform during his only season with the Cubs and last season at the big league level.
The missing cards are #175 - Stan Musial, #186 - Whitey Ford, #203 - Bob Feller, and #209 - Herb Score.
Do you have a favorite from 1955 Topps? I don't know about you but I'm loving the old-school team logos. The cartoons/trivia on the back are pretty great as well!
