Reader Neal writes:
Can you tell me the first year APBA Baseball went to 2 column player cards and did all cards have 2 columns that first year or did some still have just one? Thx!
Great question! In their first eight years of APBA Baseball, the card makers were faced with challenges of replicating extra-base numbers using single column cards (see Minnie Minoso’s 1951 card above). In 1959, the double column card with the new zero was introduced.
I’m sure it was a controversial decision when it came out (perhaps someone out there remembers) but I bet it made the card makers’ work a lot easier.
This Wade Boggs card is a fine example of a double card.
It wasn’t until 1985 when double column card in combination with a first column 1 came to be.
You can see a timeline of the major changes to APBA cards at the bottom of the APBA ’12’ list.
- 1957 forward has Z
- 1958 forward has A&C
- 1959 forward has double columns
- 1962 forward has split pitching grades
- 1963 forward has A&B
- 1969 forward has small team envelopes for seasons
- 1972 forward has 42
- 1976 forward has single result numbers in the second column
- 1975 forward has J, 14*
- 1976 forward has MG
- 1985 forward includes double column cards with first column 1
- 1990 The ZZ rating is introduced
If you’re interested in the history of APBA cards, I highly recommend checking out the online Zack APBA Handbook. It’s a treasure trove of information! Warning: you may need to set aside some time. There is a lot of good stuff there!
thanks for the question, Neal!
Just a heads up! The 2020 APBA Blog Pitching Grade Challenge is coming soon. Here are the results from last year. Stay tuned!!
Hi Tom,
This is a great question and an excellent answer. I have only played in the two column era, and never cared if a player had one or two columns so long as they could help me win.
Nice article Tom,
I really prefer the single column cards, as the double column ones seem to me too “busy” visually, especially if there are lots of “11s” in the second column. And I think it takes away some of the fun when you roll a “33” then have to roll again to find that its an “8”. I realize it is more accurate, but its somehow less fun.
I also noticed on Minoso’s card above that he has three “8s” but only one “9”. I don’t think I have seen that before. Usually it is two and two, not three and one.
Keep up the good work.