Thursday, July 4, 2024

WTHBALLS CUSTOM SET SPOTLIGHT: 1890 "BASEBALL CHAMPIONS" BUCK EWING

Good day everyone!

On the blog today, we spotlight my card for the greatest catcher of the 19th Century, Buck Ewing, from my "19th Century Base Ball Stars" custom set released back in 2018:



 
Just a really fun set to create and release, using authentic 1890's tobacco stamps and other elements to make the cigarette pack as "real" as possible.
I can tell you a ton of work went into this set!
As for Ewing, this was a man legendary manager Connie mack called the "greatest catcher of all-time", with Ewing even called the "greatest all-around player of the 19th century" by Total Baseball in 1989.
His numerous innovations and "tricks" to the position are incredible, and for a fuller idea of what the man brought to the sport, see his SABR bio here:


Over his 18-year career which began in 1880 with Troy, and ending in 1897 with Cincinnati, he would finish with a .303 batting average, along with 354 stolen bases, and 1129 runs scored over 1315 games.
But again, it was what he brought to the catching position that solidified his status and an all-time great in the game.
A true baseball legend.