1952 Topps #26, Monte Irvin ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Monte Irvin overcame countless obstacles to become one of the best players of the legendary Hall of Famers in major league baseball.
As a player, Monte Irvin was a star in the Negro Leagues, starting with the Newark Eagles, where he was one of the most feared hitters of his era. When he finally reached Major League Baseball with the New York Giants, he helped lead them to a 1954 World Series championship and finished third in the 1951 NL MVP voting. Despite losing prime years to segregation.
As a MLB Pioneer, Monte Irvin was one of the early African American players to integrate MLB in the post–Jackie Robinson era. He played a crucial role in helping younger Black players transition to the majors and later became MLB’s first Black vice president, continuing his impact off the field.
Moreover, Monte Irvin will always be remembered and universally respected for his dignity, humility, integrity, and leadership.

I picked up this 51 Monte Irvin 3 or 4 (or 5??) years ago at an antique mall in Niles, MI. I bought it raw knowing it would look sharp in a tux (and would probably grade out at a 1) and I was right! This is one of my many favorite cards.

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.

1951 Topps Red Back #50, Monte Irvin ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Before Topps produced arguably the most iconic baseball card set in the hobby (1952 Topps Baseball Cards), they released their 1951 Baseball Card Set.
The 1951 Topps baseball card set was Topps' debut set, featuring black-and-white player portraits on a colored diamond background and distributed as two separate series, the Red Backs and Blue Backs. These are small playing-style cards, designed to be played as a card game using game actions printed on the fronts.
This card of Monte Irvin is a key card because he is a legendary Hall of Famer and MLB Pioneer having played in the Negro League for Newark Eagles.
Monte Irvin was the first Black player for the NY Giants. He debuted with the Giants on July 8, 1949, along with Hank Thompson, becoming the first two Black players to integrate the Giants.