TTM Success - Jack Aker

The team leaders cards in the 1987 set are pretty tough.  In years past, those cards told you on the back who was depicted on the front.  That stopped with the 1987 set, and continued for 1988 and 1989.  I've had to rely on some online checklists to figure out who was on the cards.  I got this Indians one signed by Jack Aker, so that helps.

I had two other cards of Aker; the above 1966 Topps and 1973 Topps.  I love the Wrigley ivy on the 73.

Aker (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1964 to 1974 for the A's (KC and Oakland), Yankees, Cubs, Braves and Mets.  He had a career record of 47-45 with 404 strike outs and a 3.28 ERA.  His best season was 1966 when he recorded 32 saves with a 1.99 ERA.  That year, he finished 13th in the AL MVP voting.  He appeared on the 1980 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Aker on September 6 and got the cards back on September 18, for a 12-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.  By the way, the other two people on the Indians card are Chris Bando and Phil Niekro.