1952 Topps #26, Monte Irvin ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Let the infectious smile of Monte Irvin brighten your Wednesday!
This legendary Hall of Famer and MLB Pioneer played in the Negro League for Newark Eagles.
On July 8, 1949, Hank Thompson & Monte Irvin broke the color barrier for the NY Giants.
On October 4, 1951, during the opening game of the World Series between the New York Giants and the New York Yankees Monte Irvin was part of the first all-African American outfield in MLB history - along with Willie Mays and Hank Thompson.
As a member of The Greatest Generation, Monte served in the United States Army during WWII (1943 - 1945) and fought in The Battle of The Bulge alongside the grandfather of our Mantel hobby friend and colleague @Vohnhenk.
We owe a heavy debt to all those who sacrificed so much for our freedom, like Aaron's Grandpa Jenkins and Monte Irvin.

1929 Kashin R316, Moe Berg RC ⭐
Starting on November 20, 1934, as part of MLB's All-Star tour of Japan, catcher Moe Berg begins filming aspects of Japanese life and infrastructure, as spy for United States intelligence entities, including for U.S. military use.
This is Moe Berg's true RC.

Eddie Kazak was a WWII Veteran, who served in the U.S. Army, and American Hero.
He was part of the U.S. Army's D-Day invasion parachuting into France.
He was severely wounded by a German bayonete and then blown up, laying under ruble for many hours until finally discovered alive.
Doctor's told him he would never play baseball again, but Eddie persevered and played in the 1949 All-Star Game as a 28-year-old rookie.

Hoyt Wilhelm is a true American Hero serving with the U.S. Army in one of the most famous battles of World War II. He fought bravely in The Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded in combat, an experience that shaped his grit and perseverance throughout his Hall of Fame pitching career.
In MLB, Hoyt Wilhelm is a legend for his dancing and mystifying knuckleball which he used to baffle major league hitters for an incredible 21 seasons.

Hank Greenberg is a legendary Hall of Fame Detroit Tigers first basemen & American Hero.
Greenberg was the first player in the American League to choose to register for the draft and he missed out on four prime years of his career as a baseball player while serving in the U.S. Army in World War II.
The 47 months Greenberg served as a sergeant in the Army are the longest any major league player has served in the U.S. Armed Forces.