1951 Topps Red Back #39 - Ted Kluszewski

Ted Kluszewski (b. 1924 - d. 1988) played in the majors from 1947 to 1961 for the Reds, Pirates, White Sox and Angels.  He had 1,766 hits, 279 home runs and a batting average of .298 in his career.  He finished as high as second in the NL MVP voting (1954).  That season, he led the league with 49 home runs and 141 RBIs.  He hit 40 or more home runs 3 times in his career (1953 to 1955).  Kluszewski was a 4-time All Star.  He appeared in the 1959 World Series with the White Sox and went 9 for 23 (.391 batting average) and hit 3 home runs in the White Sox's loss to the Dodgers.

Kluszewski appeared on 15 Hall of Fame ballots from 1967 to 1981 but never received more than 14.4% of the vote (75% required for induction).

Deceased: 31

1955 Topps #120 - Ted Kluszewski

Ted Kluszewski (b. 1924 - d. 1988) played in the majors from 1947 to 1961 for the Reds, Pirates, White Sox and Angels. Known as Big Klu, Kluszewski was a powerful force in the lineup. He led the league in home runs in 1954 with 49. He hit 40 or more home runs in three straight seasons (1953 through 1955). He retired with 1,766 hits, 279 home runs and a .298 batting average. After his playing days were over, he served as hitting instructor under Sparky Anderson during the Reds' run in the 1970s.

(DECEASED 68)