1952 Parkhurst #68, Jim Gilliam ⭐ MLB Pioneer
When I got back into the hobby, I was passionate (still am) about collecting what I call "MLB Pioneers", those are baseball players who played in the Negro League and also made it to The Show.
I learned so much about baseball and baseball card history through this part of my collection that it is mind boggling.
Jim "Junior" Gilliam is one of the players I learned about and became preoccupied with.
Through my passion for Jim Gilliam, I developed a love of oddball and minor league cards.
This card fits the bill on 3 card things I love - Jim Gilliam, oddball, and minor league cards. Check out the cool back of this card (sorry for the poor photo quality).
Jim Gilliam is a Dodger legend and his #19 is retired by the Dodgers, the only player with his number retired by the Dodgers who is not in the MLB Hall of Fame.
played in the Negro Leagues for the Baltimore Elite (pronounced E-Light) Giants from 1946 to 1950. During his time with Baltimore he was a three-time Negro League All-Star and a key infielder before signing with the Dodgers in 1951.

1958 Topps Philidelphia Phillies #134, John Kennedy RC ⭐ MLB Pioneer
This is key card in my MLB Pioneer Collection and John Kennedy's only image on a flagship card during his brief MLB career.
Like many early professional African-American players, John Kennedy was denied a meaningful opportunity to play at the highest level because of the color of his skin.
He was 30 years-old, on April 22, 1957, when he made history becoming the first African-American player to appear in a game for the Philadelphia Phillies, breaking the team’s color barrier a full decade after Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball. Kennedy’s debut came as a pinch-runner against the Brooklyn Dodgers, symbolizing both progress and the Phillies’ long-delayed step toward integration.

Collect What You Love❤

1952 Topps #314, Roy Campanella ⭐ MLB Pioneer
The 1952 Topps card of Roy Campanella is the one Roy Campanella card that I wanted most, even more than his 1949 Bowman RC.
I've admired Roy Campanella and his courageous legacy since I first learned of him.
He's a MLB Icon and MLB Pioneer who started his professional career in the Negro League with the Baltimore Elite (pronounced E-Light) Giants.
He is easily one of baseball’s greatest catchers, and won three National League MVP awards while knocking down racial barriers along side Jackie Robinson.
His career was tragically cut short by a 1958 car accident that left him paralyzed, yet his resilience and optimism made him a symbol of courage and dignity.
If you are unaware of the significance of 1952 Topps Hi-number cards (#311-#407), here's the reader's digest version.
The 1952 Topps Hi-number cards (Sixth Series, numbered #311–#407) are more scarce that the lower number cards because they were the last series and therefore printed later in the season and in much smaller quantities.
Additionally, the Hi-numbers were distributed primarily in limited regions like the East Coast and many unsold cases of Hi-number cards were famously dumped into the ocean by Topps to clear warehouse space, making them far scarcer today.

1947-66 Exhibits Ernie Banks ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Ernie Banks was one of my favorite non-Pirates a true legend of the game and MLB Pioneer.
He started his professional career in 1950 with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before serving in the U.S. Army for 2 years and then rejoining the Monarchs after his service. The Cubs purchased his contract in 1953, and he became the franchise's first Black player.
I love Exhibit cards. IMO they exude nostalgia like no other issue.
The best thing is they are fairly plentiful and an affordable way to collect the legends of sport.
Be careful on some of the higher end Exhibits because there are some fakes out there.

1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson ⭐ MLB Pioneer
On October 23, 1945, Brooklyn Dodgers president, Branch Rickey, officially signed Jackie Robinson to a minor league contract. Jackie was assigned for duty with the Montreal Royals the following season. A true Pioneer of MLB, Jackie was a Negro League star with the Kansas City Monarchs before signing with the Dodgers. Jackie became the first black player to play in modern-day MLB and paved the way for MLB integration.