TTM Tuesday: (Doerr and Virdon)

I got two returns back this past week.

This 2013 Allen & Ginter card of Boston Red Sox and Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr came back in about a month and a half.

Doerr was born April 7, 1918. He will turn 99 years old next month and is currently the oldest living Major League baseball player.

I also got a two card return from Bill Virdon. Virdon was the 1955 Rookie of the Year winner with the St. Louis Cardinals and won a World Series as a member of the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates. He also managed 4 different clubs over a 13 year period (1972 - 1984), twice winning Manager of the Year.

I didn't realize it until writing this post, but the two cards I sent are from his first year as a manager and his last. 

TTM Success: Bill Virdon

I recently sent Bill Virdon a TTM autograph request. He responded in just over a week. Because I didn't have any cards for him to sign I sent a couple of index cards and asked for some inscriptions. He obliged and even sent back an autographed card of his own. Thanks Mr. Virdon!

Bill Virdon played in the Majors from 1955 - 1965 and then 6 games in 1968 (not sure why the gap). He won the 1955 National League Rookie of the Year Award as a St. Louis Cardinal but after a slow start to the 1956 season he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. An excellent defensive player, Virdon made several spectacular catches during the 1960 World Series and earned a Gold Glove award in 1962.

After his playing career ended, Virdon became a coach and then a manager. He managed the Pirates (1972-73), the Yankees (1974-75), the Astros (1975-82), and the Expos (1983-84). For his efforts Virdon won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 1974 and the National League Manager of the Year Award in 1980.

More recently Bill has spent time as a coach for the Pirates.