TTM Success - Billy Gardner

I received a couple signed cards in the mail from former Oriole and former manager, Billy Gardner on (you guessed it) April 4.  The cards were mailed out on March 11 with my huge batch of vintage and came back 24 days later.

The 1958 Topps was pretty rough, but it was the only card of him as a player that I owned.  It still looks nice signed.  It also helps me out down the road when I choose to branch this project out to former Orioles.

As always, a 1985 Topps card turns out nice.  I have noticed that 1985 is slowly creeping up on 1987 for the most autos.  As of today, counted cards that haven't been posted, 1985 trails 1987 14-17.  Not bad, considering I have a ton of 1987s.

Gardner (b. 1927) played in the majors from 1954 to 1963 for the Giants, Orioles, Senators, Twins, Yankees and Red Sox.  He had 841 hits, 41 home runs and a lifetime average of .237.  He finished 12th in the AL MVP voting in 1957, his only time showing up in the voting.  Gardner won the World Series with the Yankees in 1961.

Gardner served as manager of the Twins from 1981 to 1985 and the Royals in 1987.  He had a career record of 330-417.  His Royals were in second place in the AL West before his tenure ended as manager after 126 games.