Click Here to Return To Main HOF Portrait Page
NOTE: Item below is NOT FOR SALE - please click here to view available inventory
Al Lopez
(b. August 20, 1908 - d. October 30, 2005)
A workhorse behind the plate, Lopez held the major league record for games caught until 1987. He turned manager in 1951, and in 1954 led Cleveland to 111 wins. In 1959, he won another pennant with the White Sox. Inducted in 1977, he drove his 17 teams to a 1,410-1,004 record for a .584 winning percentage, eight all time. Usually losing the pennant to the Yankees, Lopez's clubs finished second in the AL 10 times.
 
Inducted in 1977
 
 
1969 Topps Al Lopez #527 PSA 10 GEM MT
     
Click Image to Zoom
Click Image to Zoom
 

Comments: I won an eBay auction from seller Gary Prachar (fletchcollect) for this card in January, 2003. At some point I also purchased a couple examples of his 1936 WWG issue (a PSA 1 and a PSA 4). But, I decided to stick with the '69 Topps issue. I may upgrade this to a GEM MT copy someday but it's not a high priority. The price will have to be right!

UPDATE: I had just arrived to work at the client office in Warsaw, IN. around 8:45am and unlocked my iPhone to check emails.  With eBay alerts I’ve been directed towards newly listed auction items for several years, but I don’t recall them ever leading to a pickup for my baseball collection.  On April 7th, 2016 my phone kicked back the following message:

The card was centered perfectly and looked like a GEM.  I navigated to the vendor’s website to take advantage of a 12% discount and purchased the card.  It was the first 60s PSA 10 in my collection.

   
Card Details Below:  
Year(s): 1969
ACC Set Designation:
Set Name: Topps
Country: United States
Description:
 
Example 1969 Topps Wax Pack