Showing posts with label World War II. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War II. Show all posts

Sunday, May 28, 2023

A 1955 Bowman 100th Birthday: Bob Kuzava

Welcome to the fourth installment of my series featuring players from the 1955 Bowman set that would have turned 100 this year. Players featured thus far:

  • Red Schoendienst - February 2
  • Jim Hughes - March 21
  • Solly Hemus - April 17

Today's featured player is Bob Kuzava (card #215), who I'm spotlighting on what would have been his 100th birthday. 

My actual 1955 Bowman card of Bob Kuzava:




Date of Birth: 

May 28, 1923

First Year in Organized Baseball:

1941 with the Mansfield (OH) Braves, a Class D team for the Cleveland Indians organization. 

Link to a Really Old Baseball Guy:

Bob Kuzava was managed by Jack Knight while playing for the Charleston (WV) Senators (Class C affiliate of the Cleveland Indians). Knight began his playing career in 1917 and was born in 1895.

Link to a Much Younger Guy:

Kuzava played with Joe Hoerner on the 1960 Charleston (SC) White Sox (A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox). Kuzava also served as last of three managers of the team that year. Joe Hoerner retired after the 1977 season. 

1977 Topps Joe Hoerner

Interesting Facts: 

  • Served in the Army during World War II. Rose to the rank of Sergeant, and later became known by the nickname of Sarge in the baseball world.
  • Earned saves for the Yankees in the final game of both the 1951 and 1952 World Series.
  • Died May 15, 2017, at the age of 93.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

A 1955 Bowman 100th Birthday: Jim Hughes

Welcome to the second edition of my series featuring players from the 1955 Bowman set that would have turned 100 this year. The first player featured was Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst on February 2. Today's featured player is Jim Hughes (card #156), who I'm spotlighting on what would have been his 100th birthday. 

My actual 1955 Bowman card of Jim Hughes:




Date of Birth: 

March 21, 1923

First Year in Organized Baseball:

1946 with the Madisonville (KY) Miners, a Class D team in the Chicago White Sox organization. 

Link to a Really Old Baseball Guy:

Jim Hughes was teammates with Jo-Jo White on the 1950 Hollywood Stars (AAA affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers). White began his playing career in 1928.

1934-36 National Chicle Diamond Stars (R327) #45 - Jo Jo White

Link to a Much Younger Guy:

Hughes played with Harmon Killebrew on the 1958 Indianapolis Indians (AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox). Killebrew retired after the 1975 season. 

1975 Topps - Harmon Killebrew

Interesting Facts: 

  • Served in the Marines during World War II
  • Became a firefighter in Chicago after his baseball career.
  • Died August 12, 2001.