#382 Curt Simmons

Curt Simmons was a highly sought after high school and amateur pitcher in his Pennsylvania region in 1947. The Phillies landed him with the largest bonus ever paid to that point. The Phils had, in fact, agreed to play an exhibition game in Simmons town in the summer of '47 in order to get an up close and personal look at him. 

The 'bonus baby rules' in effect at the time allowed Simmons one year at the minor league level and then the Phils carried him on their roster for a couple more before he became a front-liner in 1950. He won 17 that year and received a bit of MVP consideration. He was called to the National Guard before he had any chance to pitch for the 'Whiz Kids' in the Series that season.

He had quite a bit of success for the Phils over the next decade, winning 86 games for some weak Phillie clubs. He made three NL All Star squads during that time. After a sore arm caused the Phils to release him in 1960 Simmons signed with the Cardinals and got his second wind. 

The veteran lefty backed up ace Bob Gibson for a St. Louis club that won the '64 pennant and gave him his only taste of the post season. He made two starts in the Series against the Yanks, pitched well despite losing his only decision and got a championship ring.

After one more effective season Simmons wrapped up his career with the Cubs and Angels before retiring following the 1967 season.

His hometown of Egypt Pa. held a parade and a day in his honor just this month. One interesting anecdote from Simmons amateur days concerns a Legion Baseball All Star game he pitched in. The 'managers' were Carl Hubbell and Babe Ruth. Supposedly when Ruth saw Simmons hit and play the outfield after his turn on the mound he suggested to Simmons giving up pitching to concentrate on his other baseball skills. 

Pretty much a standard pose here, Connie Mack Stadium and a green border make a nice frame of the bright Phils duds Simmons is wearing. Clean card with nice corners, too.

#339 Roy Face

I can't recall anyone calling him 'Roy'. I always referred to him as 'Elroy' Face. No matter. He was a real relief star of the late 50s and 60s. In an era when save totals were much lower than they are now Face led the league three times, once with 17. He was among the first to take on the role of 'closer' as we know it today. He featured the 'fork ball', a unique pitch he learned from the Yankee's Joe Page.

In 1959 he won 18 games and lost only one, all in relief. He finished seventh in MVP votes that year. Face made three NL All Star squads. In the 1960 Series against the Yankees he saves three of the four Pirate victories. He was property of the Pirates after being drafted off the Brooklyn Dodgers roster in 1952. The Dodgers had drafted him from the Phillies. Branch Rickey was the 'drafter' in both cases. He had begun as a spot starter and reliever but quickly found his place in the bullpen.

He finished his major league career with a brief look by the Tigers and a year in Montreal with the fledgling Expos in 1969. He then pitched a bit of minor league ball in 1970 before exchanging his glove for a band saw and making his living as a carpentry foreman.

I like how Face posed for this card by taking a peek over his shoulder as a reliever would who had entered a game with a runner on. Aside from the mis-cut this is one of the better conditioned cards in my set.

#204 Casey Wise

Casey Wise a.k.a Kendall Cole Wise... 'Kay Cee', get it? Classic 'good field, no hit' infielder. He hit .174 for his career which consisted of 321 at bats over four seasons. 

Wise began in the Cubs organization and hit pretty well. He made his debut with the Cubs in 1957 was traded to the Braves the next year and finished with the 1960 Tigers.

Before you write this guy off consider this... he had three big league homers and got himself a World Series share in 1958. He actually came up to bat in a World Series game in Yankee Stadium. OK, so Ryne Duran struck him out... how many of us have gotten to bat in a World Series? Or had two homers and a triple in one big league game including a dinger off Vinegar Bend Mizell? (one previous homer and he hits two in a game? And a triple? Holy cow!). Or actually worn that amazingly gorgeous Milwaukee Brave cap on a real big league diamond? So there.

His dad Hugh, and brother, Hugh Wise Jr. both played pro ball. His father played for the Tigers and was a scout for decades. Why Baseball Reference doesn't make note of that I don't know. His brother played in the Braves' chain for a few years as an outfielder.

After he retired Casey Wise became an orthodontist in Florida. His brother was a doctor as well and through Google I believe he does/did scientific research in D.C. Pretty cool family.

Blame my scanner for the dark around the edge on the card. It's really much nicer than it looks here.