Today on the blog, I begin to post customs from my 1950 Drake's "extended set, which I released in limited edition last year, beginning with a card for the "Yankee Clipper" Joe DiMaggio:
I
love the Drake's set, and as with many of the oddball sets released in
the 1950's, there were always many of the game's top players missing, so
I decided to release a special set, in ultra-special packaging, on
genuine thick card stock to help "fill-out" the checklist.
Obviously
"Joltin' Joe" was an easy choice, as he put together a legendary career
that had become an American Icon, taking home three league MVP Awards,
hitting safely in a record 56 straight games in 1941 and being a part of
a staggering NINE World Champion teams between 1936 and 1951.
If
not for his military service, losing three years during his prime
between 1943 and 1945, his already lofty numbers would have been even
better.
One of my favorite career stats for the guy? Let's
admire his incredible feat of hitting 361 home runs while striking out
only 369 times over his Big League tenure.
Now, while I
certainly don't think he was the game's "greatest living ballplayer" as
they voted him later on, the man was definitely up there, especially
capturing the nation's attention the way he did.
A true legend.