I took a week off from Monster Card Monday so I better make this count. I think it will. I promised Pastor Rich Zawardzki that I’d put up Willie Mays’ 1954 card. Indeed, it’s worthy of this column.
This was Mays’ breakout season when he not only led the NL in hitting with a .345 batting average but also cracked 41 homeruns and 87 extra base hits. In just his third year in the bigs, he won the MVP award.
Mays’ 1954 season was his first All-Star appearance which started a string of consecutive appearances which would not end until 1973.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 Totals | 151 | 641 | 565 | 119 | 195 | 33 | 13 | 41 | 110 | 8 | 5 | 67 | 55 | .345 | .412 | .667 |
I have several tests that help test a Monster Card… 7s across the top, six power numbers etc. Mays has one that I really like; he has a 5 at 44. Not only that, he has three 5s. With power numbers of 1-4-5-5-5 he defines the clutch hitter even in the realm of APBA.
With his .345 average, Mays gets a 55-7 plus a 15-10 (based on 8 stolen bases).
Mays has two 13s at the very prominent places of 26 and 46 but if you look closer, you won’t find anymore. For 1954, he only struck out 55 times. He does have four 14s though proving that Willie Mays can hit wherever Willie Mays wants to (though with those three 5s, I would try to convince him to not lead off!). He did strike out more than he walked for his whole career but not by much (1526 Ks to 1464 walks).
If all that isn’t enough, he’s Fast and is a OF-3 (what do you expect from Willie Mays?). Those still wondering why, this video should explain better than any words could:
thanks, Rich!
Great card for a MCM! I have this card & love the 5s as well! Where would you hit Mays in a line up? I would hit him 3rd but if you were doing a blind draft, like I often do,& a his team has no true power hitter would you move him to 4th or leave him 3rd?
Thanks
Shawn
This is a great card.
1, 4, 5 (3), 7, 10 and (F) and OF-3
Three 5s is very very rare. Nowadays I think instead of 1-4-5-5-5 you’d get 1-1-4-6-6,
I have the latest update of the ’54 set and Mays has 1-1-0-0-0. It’s not as good a card as this one.
Seems like the cards tht are made today don’t compare to the older cards. I’m guessing tht I’d due to the board changes. More 8s & 9s are given because the grades of pitchers are mor Bus & those numbers become hits in certain base situations. Any other thoughts on why the formulas have changed? Probably in the name of statistical accuracy as well;)
Thanks
Shawn
Should read Bs instead of Bus
;)
“All star games were invented for Willie Mays.”
Ted Williams
i rem this card for sure…’54 giants from the gtp set if i’m correct…44-5…is the only legit card to EVER get that?? gotta be…whatta beast.
ps..i even like the font on that card as it was the first time i’d seen it and it was real easy to read. maybe i’m a nerd about it.
Wasn’t the original card 1-2-4-5-5?