1923-24 Exhibits Mike Gonzales Cuban Catcher (Gonzalez) ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Mike Gonzalez is in my MLB Pioneer collection because he played In the Negro League with the Cuban Stars, Long Branch Cubans and NY Lincoln Giants, and made it to MLB, debuting with the Boston Braves in 1912 and playing and coaching in the Majors for various teams through 1946.
Born in Cuba in 1890, Gonzalez' success in both the Negro Leagues and Major Leagues challenged the rigid racial and ethnic barriers of the era, demonstrating that talent transcended the artificial boundaries imposed by segregation.
He was a 4-time World Series Champion (1934, 1942, 1944, 1946), most notabably with the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals "Gas House Gang".
He was inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

1923-24 Exhibits Mike Gonzales Cuban Catcher (Gonzalez) ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Today's mail was, by all accounts - EPIC! 💥

Unless you are into collecting MLB Pioneers, early Cuban-born MLB players, early Exhibits cards, or St. Louis Cardinals, you probably would not not know about this card and how much it means to my MLB Pioneer collection.
I've been trying for over 6 years to get this particular card because, IMO, this is the finest image of Mike Gonzalez on a mainstream card during his MLB playing days.
In the past month or so, two of these popped on eBay. I targeted the least expensive one, which IMO has better eye-appeal than the more expensive one.
I'm not sure how or why PSA put this VG card in a PR holder.😂 But I digress.
I'm so thankful that I can finally check this card off my bucket list of "grail" cards. My PC requires no other cards of this great MLB Pioneer.
In total, Mike Gonzalez played in 11 major-league seasons, which can be split into 2 phases.
First MLB stint: 1912–1918, played for the St. Louis Cardinals and NY Giants.

Second MLB stint: 1924–1932, played primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gonzalez played for the Cuban Stars and Long Branch Cubans in the Negro League.
His MLB claim to fame is that González is credited with contributing a lasting piece of baseball terminology. Asked by the Giants to scout a winter league player, González judged that the player was outstanding defensively but a liability as a batter. He wired back a four-word scouting report: "Good field, no hit." That phrase is still in use today.
Mike Gonzalez is a member of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame.