"The Pittsburgh Kid"
World Light Heavyweight Champion 1939-1941
When Billy Conn challenged Joe Louis for the heavyweight title on June 18, 1941, the Pittsburgh Pirates paused their game against the New York Giants in the 4th inning to broadcast radio coverage of the fight over the PA to the spectators at Forbes Field. The game resumed after the fight's conclusion (Louis won by KO in the 13th round), but was called after 11 innings with the score tied 2-2 due to National League curfew laws.

The colors, the pose, the background - everything about this card is perfect.

Other than sharing a rookie card with Thurman Munson, I knew nothing about Dave McDonald. So I did a bit of research.

He was a patient hitter with power and had several good seasons at the plate in the minors. His best year came in 1969, when he hit .281 with a .540 slugging avg and 24 home runs for AAA Syracuse.

He had brief stints with the Yankees and Expos, hitting .145 in 62 career at bats. His only major league home run came off Rick Wise in a 4-2 Montreal win in July of 1971.

His father Les played football for the University of Nebraska and was drafted 8th overall by the Chicago Bears in 1937. Les also competed as an amateur boxer in the heavyweight division.

After his baseball career ended, Dave became a teacher. He also coached high school and college baseball.

I saw this card at a show and thought the colors looked great, so I decided to get it.

Lunghi won a silver medal at the 1908 London Olympics in the 800 meters. He was Italy's first track and field star and won national titles in 6 different running events. He also competed in the 1912 Olympics and coached at the 1920 & 1924 games.

World Lightweight Champion 1902-1908

"There never lived a fighter who better combined skill, power and intelligence. If he had been a white man, he would have been the most popular champion the world has ever known." - sportswriter Robert Edgren (1916)