Friend and fellow Michael Massey admirer Don Smith just got the 1959 set from APBA. He’s hankerin’ for the olden days, I suspect. He mentioned Hank Aaron’s card and I had to have a look. It’s not Hank’s first time on Monster Monday but the card is definitely different.
In 1959, Milwaukee finished 2nd with a 86-70 record just two games back of the Dodgers. Right fielder Aaron provided much of the support both offensively and defensively.
Aaron led the National League in batting (.355), hits (223), and slugging (.636). This was helped by 92 extra base hits including 46 doubles and 39 home runs.
The Braves synergized around Aaron and he drove in 123 runs while scoring 116 himself.
Aaron’s K% was 7.8% with only 54 strikeouts for the whole year.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 Totals | 154 | 693 | 629 | 116 | 223 | 46 | 7 | 39 | 123 | 8 | 51 | 54 | .355 | .401 | .636 |
It’s very rare that you will find an APBA baseball card with a 13-22 for someone with a OBP over .400 but this is it. Of course, it helps that ’59 Aaron gets most of his on-base from hits. The Fast OF-3 Aaron earns a 55-7 and 25-7 along with his 15-10.
The Hammer did legitimately earn two 14s; one at 36 and the other at 45. It’s always been my contention that lower on-base guys get a 36-14. No proof or evidence but it seems to bear out. Just two 13s for slugger Aaron.
At first glance, it looks like ’59 Aaron has three 24s. Not so. APBA placed the 12 at 61 for this 1959 set. Aaron only has two DP-inducing numbers.
I can’t believe I’ve gotten this far down in this article about Hank Aaron’s APBA card and haven’t mentioned his power numbers! He’s got them, that’s for sure. Hammerin’ Hank sports extra base numbers 1-1-4-6-6. Contrast that to his card in the first reprint published in 1991 where he received 1-4-5-5-6.
I know my buddy, Don. He likes to hit home runs but “can’t roll 66s”. He will like this new card. I have had cards with the two 5 combination. That said, there is nothing like hitting a homerun on a dice roll of 22. I still remember Mark McGwire’s 1998 card with the 44-5.
Good luck rolling on 1959, Don!
