Top 10 Wishlist Pickup - 1953 Topps Satchel Paige

Today, I knocked a card off of my want list that has resided there since I got back into collecting cards in 2005.  I finally own a 1953 Topps Satchel Paige card.  To me, this was an ultimate pickup; a dream blog post, if you will.  Now that I have the card in my possession, I am at a loss as to what to say.  The card is in really good shape considering what I paid for it vs its book value.  There is a crease in the bottom left corner, around the Brownie's ear.  Otherwise, the card is pretty sharp.  There is still some gloss on the face of the card.

The back looks pretty awesome as well.  If you take a look at the text on the back, you can see that Paige, at approximately 44 years of age had pitched a 12-inning 1-0 shutout against the Tigers in 1952.  I'd like to see another 44-year old accomplish that feat.  According to his baseball-reference page, which you can access here, it says he was actually born in 1906.

Paige (b. 1906 - d. 1982) played in the majors during the 1948-1949 (with the Indians), 1951-1953 (with the Browns) and 1965 (with the Kansas City A's) seasons.  During the 1965 season, he pitched in one game (3 innings), allowing one hit and no runs, all at the age of 58.

Paige's career MLB numbers aren't overly impressive with a record of 28-31, 288 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.29.  It's Paige's career as a whole that tells the true story.  Paige pitched professionally, either via the Negro Leagues, MLB or Barnstorming Teams from 1926 to 1966.  Many times pitching two or three complete games in a day, especially when he was barnstorming.  Many folks regard Paige as the greatest pitcher ever to have played the game.  I'm partial to Bob Feller, but I think they may be right about Paige.

Paige was a member of the 1948 World Series Champion Indians and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971 at the first player to be elected solely on his exploits in the Negro Leagues.

I truly love this card.  In my collection, this will rank very close to the top, alongside my 1957 Topps Brooks Robinson, 1948 Leaf Virgil Trucks, my 1995 Leaf Statistical Standouts Cal Ripken and others.  I really am excited I got this card.  I hope you all like seeing it as well.

Amazing TTM Success - John 'Mule' Miles

I mailed a baseball and a letter to former Negro Leaguer John "Mule" Miles on November 7, 2011 and got the signed ball back today (November 14, 2011).

I was amazed at the inscriptions that Miles added to my ball.  He signed it on the sweet spot...

...added his position...

...added the fact that he was a Tuskegee Airman in World War II...

...inscribed his feat of hitting 11 home runs in 11 straight games in 1948...

...and added Negro League Legend.  Simply amazing TTM return.  But wait, there's more!

Mr. Miles also sent a letter in response to the one I sent.  In my letter I asked him who the toughest pitcher he ever faced was and his answer (if you can't tell from the scan) was Satchel Paige.  I thought this was a really awesome return and it is only the second letter I got back from a TTM (the other being Virgil Trucks, of course).

John "Mule" Miles was born on August 11, 1922 and lives in San Antonio, Texas.  He is an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen.  He played in the Negro Leagues from 1946 to 1949 and earned his nickname from his manager after hitting two home runs in one game which elicited the comment from his manager that Miles hit "like a mule kicks..."

Miles is my 38th TTM success.  He signed for free with a 7-day TAT.