I know it hasn’t been long since I posted an Aaron card on Monday but as Doug Schuyler says, this 1957 card is “a thing of beauty”. This 1957 card is from the original 1957 card GTOP set published in the 1980s and it is something.
I checked Aaron’s stats for 1957 Braves. He hit 44 homers four times (appropriately) and 1957 was one those years. He also hit .322 with an even .600 slugging percentage. Hard to believe but Aaron was only 23 years old at the time and it was his fourth full season. Before the season started, he had already led the NL in hits, doubles, and hitting. In 1957, Aaron really began to show his power leading the league in homers. His 118 runs and 132 rbis also paced the league.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 Totals | 151 | 675 | 615 | 118 | 198 | 27 | 6 | 44 | 132 | 1 | 57 | 58 | .322 | .378 | .600 |
Very rarely, does APBA give out three first column 5s. With runners on base (especially first, second, or first and third) this card is lethal with power numbers 1-5-5-5. Aaron isn’t done yet. He also has a nifty 55-7.
I keep looking over Aaron’s 57 card and expecting to find a hidden 13 somewhere but no, he really does have just two 13s (he seems to have a couple extra 32s to fill the void).
Fun numbers: 33-5, 22-5, 55-7
Doug can correct me but if memory serves, the entire 1957 Milwaukee Braves team is a lot of fun. Schoendienst has a nice card (2B-9 and 55-7??) and very decent pitching led by Warren Spahn.
thanks, Doug!
The ’57 Braves are a great APBA team, aided tremendously by the unheralded rookie Bob “Hurricane” Hazle.
Hi Wolfgang,
here’s Hazle’s card. Forgotten I’d done this..
http://www.apbablog.com/card-analysis/monster-card-monday-1957-bob-hurricane-hazle
Nice.
you say this is an original card, but did original 1957 have J ratings? i wonder if this is from the ’57 Braves Great Team of the Past, which i do have, but can’t really dig up right now.
that’s a good point, Erik. i was going by the 12 list which lists the 12 on 56. http://www.apbablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/APBA12list.pdf
But it also mentions that the J factor wasn’t in use till the 70s. Can I get a ruling from anyone? I honestly don’t know.
1-5-5-5 is unique as far as I know. Run it again Wednesday?
as far as I know, there isn’t any other card like it certainly among players with ample playing time. The only one close to it is McGwire’s 1-1-1-5-5.
I just dug in the closet. your picture is the exact card i have from my Milwaukee Braves of 1957 that i probably bought back in the 80’s. Hank was a god. I loved him when i was a kid, even though he was wrapping up his last two years as i was just getting into baseball.
I just looked at the original 57 Braves and Hank’s card was 1-1-5-6 with 7’s at 44 & 55 The 12 is at 56. The card pictured is from the 57 GTOP set.
I looked at Hank’s 58O and his card is:
1-5-4-6 with 7’s at 15, 44, 55
Hope this helps. Walt
Erik and Walt,
thanks to both of you for clarifying!
Tom