1954 Yankee Prospects of the Past

JIM DYCK
"Jim was in 112 games in 1953 for the St. Louis Browns, the team that is now the Baltimore Orioles. He batted .213 and drove in 27 runs. Jim has played all outfield spots and in the infield.
He played semi-pro and Legion ball around Jefferson City, Missouri and went to junior college there. In 1941 he signed with Norfolk as a pitcher. He switched to the outfield as it was decreed he was too good a hitter not to see more action- Jim hit .321 with San Antonio in 1950."

-1954 Topps No. 85


JIM GREENGRASS
"Jim, an unheralded player, made an undying impression on Dodger fans in his National League debut in September 1952. He hit a grand slam to beat them for his first major league round-tripper.
He broke into baseball as an infielder in 1944 and returned to baseball in 1946. He shifted to the mound and then the outfield in 1950, having a 5-5 mark as a pitcher and a .336 bat mark.
Jim lettered in football, baseball and track in high school."

-1954 Bowman No. 28

"Jim's terrific showing in 1952, when he hit .309 and pounded five homers in 18 games won him a regular outfield berth with Cincy last season. He led the team in triples and was third in Redleg homer production in '53.
Jim was a Yankee farmhand for seven years before he came to the Redlegs. In 1950 Jim didn't think he would ever make the majors. He wanted to quit but his wife Cathy made him keep trying. The next year he hit .379 and in '52 was brought up to Cincinnati- thanks to Cathy Greengrass!"

-1954 Topps No. 22


ELLIS KINDER
"Ellis, who has been around a long time, did a sensational job as a relief man for the 1953 edition of the Boston Red Sox. He got into 69 games, of which he won 10 and lost 6. He saved many for other pitchers, however. His earned run average, though, is the best possible indication of his effectiveness on the mound. For 107 innings pitched, his ERA was 1.85.
Ellis has been in baseball since 1938. He came to the majors with the St. Louis Browns."

-1954 Bowman No. 98

"Last season Ellis was the top  American League relief pitcher, chalking up the best earned run average of his entire career.
A major leaguer since he broke in with the Browns in 1945, 'Kinny' came to the Red Sox in the winter of '47. In '49 he had 23 wins, six of them shutouts, and led the AL in won-lost percentage with .793.
In '52, Ellis had a bad season due to a bad back injury. He considered hanging up his glove but decided to try again in '53. His back healed and he became a star reliever, setting an American League record for games pitched."

-1954 Topps No. 47


PETE SUDER
"Pete is one of the real veterans of the Philadelphia Athletics. He has been with the team since they drafted him in October 1940. During those years he has played at second, third and short.
Pete had his best season with the Athletics in 1953, batting .286 for 115 games, his highest average since 1940. He had 130 hits and drove in 35 runs. In 1950, Pete took part in five plays at second base [in one game], tying a major league record."

-1954 Bowman No. 99