Charles Cox is becoming my pipeline for monster cards lately. He posts such cool and interesting APBA cards that I love to dissect.
This week, it’s Don Newcombe from the 1955 World Champion Brooklyn Dodgers. ‘Newk’ went 20-5 with a 3.20 ERA. He had incredible control allowing only 38 walks over 233 2/3 innings. That led to a 1.8 BB/9IP mark and a 3.76 strikeout-to-walk ratio both which led the league.
What put this card over the top in 1955 was his offensive contribution. I know what you’re thinking. However, Newcombe came to the plate 125 times. In that time, he hit .359 with seven home runs and 17 total extra base hits. All told, he drove in 23 runs (that was more than teammate Don Hoak!).
A look at the numbers
Pitching
| Split | W | L | W-L% | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | IBB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 Totals | 20 | 5 | .800 | 3.20 | 34 | 31 | 17 | 1 | 233.2 | 222 | 103 | 83 | 35 | 38 | 1 | 143 |
Hitting
| Split | G | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 Totals | 57 | 31 | 125 | 117 | 18 | 42 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 23 | 1 | 6 | 18 | .359 | .395 | .633 |
Newk’s numbers
First, let’s look at the pitching. Newcombe’s 20 wins should automatically guarantee him a B grade but even if it didn’t, his very solid 3.20 ERA would give him that as well. And of course he has a Z rating. I honestly don’t know how close he would be to a ZZ rating but seeing as he led the league in BB/9IP, I suspect he would be close.
Newcombe wasn’t exactly a career strikeout pitcher but that fact was that he was a product of his era. Some pitchers in the top ten in the NL in 1955 barely broke 100 Ks. Newk threw more than most and warranted a Y rating.
Now to the fun stuff.
Unquestionably, Don Newcombe knew how to hit. So much so that he pinch hit 23 times for Brooklyn. So replayers, don’t feel guilty for being tempted to do so. You will have fun with this card.
Newk has five power numbers including two ones. They are 1-1-4-6-6, to be exact. It doesn’t stop there, either. He can boast of a 55-7 and a 25-7, as well. Despite receiving a slow rating, Newcombe has a 15-10.
This means that he has a hit number at 61! Wow! This was helped by the fact that the 12 was set at 64 in this 1991 reprint. Usually, that number is next in line for hit numbers. He received a 21-23 and a 24-36.
Newk has four 13s but did have two 14s.
Thanks Charles!
