The Little Guy (’55 Version)

More mini-me’s.  Like 1954, 1955 featured another disembodied Verne Troyer, but this time on a super-swanky gradient background.

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“Another home run.  This is getting so depressing.  When is Skip going to pull me outta here?”

Dean Stone ...  Great name, isn’t it?  Sounds like the name of a baseball player in a movie – or the actor who portrayed him.

“Hey, big fella, take a swish at this one!”

Some cool stuff about Duane Pillette:

• His middle initial is X.
• His father, Herb, and he both had the distinction of leading their leagues in losses.

Billy O'Dell had an interesting follow-through.  Instead of falling off to either side like a Bob Gibson or Mitch Williams, Billy fell backwards, right onto his butt.

O'Dell, who was a major college star (at Clemson), was one of the first bonus babies.  He never threw an inning in the minors. Here he is again.

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Being the manager – it’s always a challenge.    And I’m sure managing the Cubs is a special challenge.   Sigh …

Stan Hack played 16 years with the Cubbies, and was one of the best third basemen of his day.  He led the NL in hits and stolen bases twice, finishing with over 2000 hits and a .301 average.  Bill James ranks him ahead of Pie Traynor.  Similar players include Eddie Collins, Billy Herman, George Kell, and Richie Ashburn, all in the Hall.

Another mini-me helping his player with some waxy buildup.

Basically a journeyman, Sandy Amoros is most famous for a catch he made in Game 7 of the 1955 World Series to preserve the win and make the Bums world champions.

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Art’s mini-me has opted to go with the glove instead.  Not sure if that’s the right move, Art.

Art Fowler bounced around the bigs for nine years, having made it to the Show at the grand old age of 31.  He had a brother, Jesse, who also made the majors.  Interestingly, though, Jesse was 24 years older.  Their MLB debuts were separated by 30 years.

Nope, that was the right move.  Look at the big hunk Ferris’s mini-me’s got ahold of.

Ferris Fain led the AL in batting two years running, ’51 and ’52, and was an All Star for five.  His skills faded, though, after getting in a brawl in a bar with some fans.  He got into trouble again in the late ‘80s, spending a year and a half in the pokie for growing pot. 

Now, we can’t end without mentioning Fain’s all-star nickname, “Burrhead “  Gotta love it.

* - author has this card



1956's mini-me's feature action shots!  Check 'em out right here.