Spring means baseball!

But first – three years ago today our feeder in Ann Arbor was covered with ice. So, no complaining about how late spring is this year.

As a kid Al Kaline was my idol. The stats on this card are from the previous year when he won the American League batting title. I have a lot of cards from this season and I’ll show some of my favorites.

George Kell was, at this time a former Tiger, having won a batting title with Detroit and then going on to be a commentator for Tigers’ games.

Who in the eastern U.S. didn’t like Mickey Mantle (well, maybe Red Sox fans). When I played little league baseball and I couldn’t get #6 (Kaline’s number) I opted for #7 (Mantle’s number).Unlike either of these great players, in three years I managed one home run and one triple – nope, no power, but lots of singles and doubles.

I’m sure that folks from Boston all adored Ted Williams.

As far as pitchers went in the 1950s and 60s Whitey Ford was among the best.

Willie Mays before the team moved to San Francisco. Another childhood hero.

Yogi was full of great sayings such as “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Joe Garigiola, another great catcher had an interesting experience growing up in the same neighborhood as Yogi. Paraphrased he said most major league ball players were the best kid playing in their neighborhood, or at least the best at their position – but not him, growing up at the same time as Berra.

My father had saved a bunch of baseball cards from his childhood and gave them to me. While these two aren’t in the best of condition at least I can say I have Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in my collection.

Rogers Hornsby and Hank Greenberg – two more great players given to me by my father.

That’s all for an overcast day in Ann Arbor, more tomorrow.