1955 Yankee of the Past: Hank Majeski

 MY BIGGEST THRILL IN BASEBALL

"My biggest thrill came to me in the past World Series, the Indians against the New York Giants. In the 4th game, I was sent in to pinch-hit for the pitcher in the 5th inning, with two men on base. I hit a home run.

As you know, the Giants beat us four straight, and my home run did not play a 'Merriwell' part. However, though it may have been only a 'personal achievement,' it was a tremendous thrill since this was the only World Series I've ever been in."

-Hank Majeski, 1955 Bowman No. 127

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Jerry Lynch

"The Pirates brought Jerry up for the 1954 season after a tremendous showing in the minors.

He started with Greenville in 1950 and hit .329, driving in 75 runs with 33 stolen bases. After two years in military service, he returned to Norfolk where he led the league in batting (.333) and RBIs (133) as well as hits, doubles and triples. The Pirates hope Jerry can do the same for them."

-1955 Topps No. 142

"Jerry broke into the Buc lineup last year after a brilliant 1953 season at Norfolk. He led the Southern Association in batting (.333), hits (180), doubles (33) and triples (22)."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 73

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Dale Long

"Dale comes up to the majors again this year determined to make the grade. Once before, in 1951, he played briefly for the Pirates and the Cardinals but was sent to the minors for more seasoning.

Starting in baseball back in 1944, Dale hit .330 at Ogden in '46 and .311 at Oneonta in '47. A long ball hitter, he belted 33 home runs at New Orleans in '52 and 35 for Hollywood in '53."

-1955 Topps No. 127

"They were thinking of making a catcher out of left-handed Dale. He's a top prospect for the Buc first base job this year."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 115

1955 Yankee of the Past: Sherm Lollar

THE MOST EXCITING GAME IN WHICH I'VE PLAYED

"Early in 1953, we played the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and with two out and one on in the ninth we were trailing by three runs. Then Minoso, Wright and Rivera singled in succession, scoring one run and leaving the bases loaded. Stengel switched to Blackwell and Paul Richards sent Tommy Bryne to bat for Stephens. Byrne belted a line drive to the bleachers to beat the Yankees."

-Sherm Lollar, 1955 Bowman No. 174

"The Sox expect Sherm to regain the top form that made him one of the American League's finest backstops in 1953. That year he batted a robust .287 and paced the loop's catchers with an airtight .994 fielding mark.

Sherm first broke into the majors after hitting .364 at Baltimore in 1945. A brief trial with Cleveland followed and in '47 he joined the Yankees and went to the Browns in '49."

-1955 Topps No. 201

1955 Yankee of the Past: Bob Kuzava

 THE MOST EXCITING GAME IN WHICH I HAVE PLAYED

"Probably this was in 1953 against the White Sox, while I was a Yankee. We had a doubleheader on a Saturday and the Sox were in second place. We won both games.

Whitey Ford pitched a 1-0 shutout in the first game. In the second game, pitching against Virgil Trucks, I had a no-hitter with one out in the top of the ninth. Then Bob Boyd, the Sox first baseman, hit a double and I became conscious of the fact that up to then I'd had a no-hitter. It ended up as a 1-hitter and we won 3-0."

-Bob Kuzava, 1955 Bowman No. 215

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Ellis Kinder

 "One of the most efficient and tireless workers in baseball, Ellis pitched in the most Red Sox games last season. In 1953, he set the all-time American League record by hurling in 69 games.

A veteran of 17 seasons in pro ball, Ellis came to Boston after three years with the St. Louis Browns. He led the A.L. in '49 with the top won-lost percentage (.793) while posting 23 victories and six shutouts."

-1955 Topps No. 115

"Again last season, Ellis hurled in the most Red Sox games. In 1953 he set an American League by pitching in 69 games. Ellis led the league in won-lost percentage (.793) in 1949."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 130

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Bob Keegan

 "The handsome former Bucknell University baseball star began like a 'house afire' last year with a 12-3 record by mid-July! Bob has the ability to scatter his opponents' hits and bear down when the pressure is on.

Bob joined the White Sox in '53 after a brilliant year at Syracuse where he racked up 20 wins. Starting as a Yankee farmhand he's pitched for Kansas City, Newark and Binghamton."

-1955 Topps No. 10

"A sensation when he played at Bucknell University, Bob originally was Yankee property. He joined the White Sox in 1953 and last year won 12 games by mid-season!"

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 52

1955 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Dave Jolly

"Dave is a mighty effective relief pitcher. He got into 47 games for the 1954 edition of the Braves, all but one of those appearances relief jobs. He won 11 games and lost 6. His earned run average was a good 2.43, ranking him fifth among pitchers who worked less than 154 innings. He pitched 111 innings and gave up only 87 hits, walked 64 men [1.36 WHIP] and struck out 62.

He began in baseball in 1946. The Boston Braves drafted him in December of 1952, then their franchise was shifted to Milwaukee for 1953, Dave's rookie year."

-1955 Bowman No. 71

"Last season the knuckle-ball relief hurler posted his best earned run average since coming into Baseball. Dave was the 'busy bee' of the Braves squad in '54, appearing in the most games, and led the staff with the lowest ERA.

At Mooresville in '47, Dave won 14 games as a starter and had 12 victories at Tulsa in '49. With the Braves in '53, he hurled in 24 games with a 3.52 ERA."

-1955 Topps No. 35

"Dave's knuckleball is one of the toughest pitches to hit. He was called upon to work the most games of any Braves hurler in 1954 and had the lowest earned run average."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 95

1955 Yankee of the Past: Don Johnson

"Don pitched for the Chicago White Sox during the course of the 1954 season. He appeared in 46 games, 15 of which were starting assignments, and the remainder relief jobs. Don worked 144 innings, gave up 29 hits, walked 43 [1.19 WHIP] and struck out 68. His earned run average was a good 3.13.

He began as Yankee property in 1944 with Kansas City. He also pitched for Newark that year. Don was with the Yankees in 1947 and has also been with the St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators."

-1955 Bowman No. 101

"Don came to Baltimore this year after proving he can be mighty stingy in giving up runs to the enemy. Last season with the White Sox he posted his best E.R.A. in five major league campaigns.

Beginning in the Yankee chain, Don was with New York in '47 and posted a 4-3 record but was sent to the minors in  '48. After another stint with New York he joined the St. Louis Browns."

-1955 Topps No. 165