1958 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Hank Foiles

"Hank had the best season of his major league career in 1957. He skyrocketed his batting mark 58 points over his '56 average. He's a top-notch defensive operator. 

Before coming to Pittsburgh, Hank saw action with Pittsburgh and Cleveland. At Indianapolis in 1954, he helped develop strikeout star Herb Score."

-1958 Topps No. 4

"Given an opportunity to play regularly, Hank enjoyed his best season in the majors. The Pirates are counting heavily on Hank in their plans to escape the second division. He got into 109 games for Pittsburgh and hit an impressive .270. Hank was picked for the National League All-Star squad, which gave him one of his biggest thrills in baseball. His booming bat broke up several games in favor of the Pirates last season.

He had trials at Cincinnati and Cleveland before being acquired by Pittsburgh."

-1958 Hires No. 71

1958 Yankee of the Past: Clint Courtney

"Clint was the first catcher ever to wear glasses under his mask. But this far from stops him from being one of the tough guys in the league. Clint has a tremendous spirit and will to win.

In 1952 he was named The Sporting News Rookie of the Year. In 1957, he hit .407 in 37 pinch-hit appearances."

-1958 Topps No. 92

POINTING A SPLIT FINGER

"Clint Courtney was catching for Washington and Manager Chuck Dressen wasn't using him much. Finally, Courtney got to catch and the first day he caught, he got a split finger.

Dressen came out of the dugout to look at it.

Courtney refused to show the finger to his manager.

'You don't know a catcher when you see one,' yelped Courtney in pain. 'How the heck would you know a split finger?' "

-Roger Birtwell, Boston Globe (August 1958 Baseball Digest)

1958 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Hal W. Smith

"Hal picked up a lot of catching know-how from Paul Richards, his first big league manager, at Baltimore in 1955. Last season he enjoyed his best season with the bat since coming into the majors, hitting over .300 for the first time. In the American Association in 1954, he was the leading hitter with a .350 mark.

He's regarded as one of the league's top catchers."

-1958 Topps No. 257

1958 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Herb Plews

"Herb took over the Senators' second base assignment last year and did a bang-up job. After hitting .302 at Denver in 1955, he came to Washington in 1956 and saw part-time duty as a rookie, playing second, third and shortstop."

-1958 Topps No. 109

1958 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Milt Graff

"Milt won his major league chance last year, thanks to his brilliant playing at Birmingham in 1956. That year he led his league in home runs and triples while posting a .317 mark and collecting 196 hits. He has no trouble hitting southpaw pitching.

He's also a fine fielder."

-1958 Topps No. 192

1958 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Jim Finigan

"After a very rough season at Kansas City in 1956, Jim started on the way back last year. His average leaped 54 points as he played for the Tigers. Jim was traded to the Giants before the 1958 season.

In 1954 Jim was tops in double plays among American League third basemen. As a rookie that year he hit .302."

-1958 Topps No. 173

1958 Yankee Prospect of the Past: Dale Long

"Dale joined the Cubs last season after seven games with Pittsburgh. He posted the highest Cub batting mark and hit over 20 homers for the second straight season. As a pinch hitter, Dale batted .333.

Dale hit a record of eight homers in eight straight games ... yet first broke in as a pitcher!"

-1958 Topps No. 7