Picked up a sweet ‘61 Topps Jim Gilliam this weekend - found it in a $3 stack. Getting close to finishing his run, but the ‘53 is out there waiting. That will be a fun one to bring home.

1956 Topps #280, Jim Gilliam ⭐ MLB Pioneer
I'm not a Dodgers fan, per se, but Jim Gilliam is one of my favorite players.
My friend, @ScribSports just completed the 1956 Topps set so this post is for Pete.
Jim Gilliam is a MLB Pioneer, who started his professional baseball career in 1946 at age 17 with the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro Leagues. He played for the Elite Giants from 1946 through 1950 before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1951 via their minor league affiliate, the Montreal Royals.

1954 Topps #35, Junior Gilliam ⭐ MLB Pioneer
I love the design of 1954 Topps baseball cards. This particular card, #35, is extraordinary and portrays two stunning images of the first true gentleman of baseball's golden era of the 1950's.
Gilliam started out in the Negro Leagues for the Baltimore Elite (pronounced ee-Light) before signing with the Dodgers.
He spent his entire MLB career playing and coaching with the Dodgers.
He played on 4 Dodgers World Champion teams and played on 7 pennant winners.

1954 Red Heart, Jim Gilliam ⭐ MLB Pioneer
There has been no finer gentleman to step on a MLB field than Jim "Junior" Gilliam.
He was magnificent on the field and even better away from it.
Gilliam played in the Negro Leagues for the Baltimore Elite Giants from 1948 to 1950, before his phenomenal Dodger career.
Gilliam was a clutch performer who either a played or coached, on ten Dodger pennant winners, with four World Series championships.
His uniform #19, is retired by the Dodgers and is the only Dodgers player whose number is retired but has yet to be elected to the MLB Hall of Fame.
Jim Gilliam deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and I believe someday he will be enshrined there.

1962 Topps #486, Jim Gilliam ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Have a Happy Tuesday friends and card folk!
I'm not a huge fan of Topps' 1962 design, but I love this card.
IMO, Jim Gilliam, #19, deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
Gilliam played in the Negro Leagues for the Baltimore Elite (pronounced "E-light") Giants from 1948 to 1950, before his phenomenal Dodger career.
Gilliam was a clutch performer who had a magnificent career and was either a player or coach, on ten Dodger pennant winners (seven as a player), and four World Series championships.
Gilliam was also highly regarded throughout the major leagues for his many outstanding personal qualities, including integrity, temperament, and sportsmanship. Junior Gilliam is the only Dodger non-HOF player to have his number retired.