1949 Bowman #233, Larry Doby RC ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Larry Doby was my Dad's favorite player as a kid.
When my Dad played Little League baseball, he would imitate Doby and say "Larry Doby coming to bat", when he came to the plate.
It earned my Dad the nickname "Doby".
This is the first card I acquired when I got back into the hobby around 2020.
Collect What You Love!❤

1953 Topps #220, Satchell Paige ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Any meaningful Hall of Fame for baseball cards or sports cards in general must necessarily include this beauty in the inaugural class.

1953 Topps #62, Monte Irvin ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Don't you just love this card?
The artwork is amazing and beautiful, fitting a MLB Pioneer and legendary Hall of Famer.
This legendary Hall of Famer played for the Newark Eagles in the Negro League to start his professional baseball career.

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.

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.