Jim Wilson--1958
There was nothing special on the front of
Jim Wilson's card to note. He's a pitcher
for the White Sox who is looking up at a
place in space, as he avoids eye contact
with the Topps cameraman.
What we liked was cartoon characters on
the back of Wilson's card. Check out the
doctor. He's giving Wilson the grim news
about a head injury, while the right-
hander has other plans, "Wanna bet,
Doc?" Just looking at the doctor, I would
look over the list of medical providers by
my insurance plan and make a change.
And how about the two players hugging
over his 1954 no-hitter. Plenty of space
between the two, but still a weird hug as
Topps danced around the situation of
two men hugging. (The no-hitter would
be the first in Milwaukee Braves history).
Wilson would bounce between six
organizations as a starting pitcher,
posting an 86-89, 4.01 mark in 12
seasons. Three times he would find
himself amongst All-Stars, despite
posting just two winning seasons. The
verbiage on the card highlights Wilson's
best season as the hurler went 15-8 with
an American League best five shutouts
in 1957. He would retire from baseball
following the 1958 season, later serving
as the General Manager of the
Milwaukee Brewers in 1973-74.
(9/21/11)
