'59 Topps set build #17/572 Neil Chrisley

Neil's major league career was very short, only 5 seasons between 1957-1961.  More often than not, when players have that short a big league career, their minor league stats are quite extensive.  I found out that Chrisley played 2 seasons in my hometown as a member of the International League Toronto Maple Leafs.  Even more interesting was when I learned that the 2nd baseman for that team in 1962 & 1963 was "captain hook" himself, Sparky Anderson.

Card # 189:  Neil Chrisley

This card is in great shape, the centering isn't too bad and no creases or corner dings.

The back is also in really good shape, no real issues to speak of.  The cartoon kind of speaks to Neil's career, as the highlights unfortunately were made during his minor league playing days.  None the less, anytime a ball player hits 40 doubles in any season, that's quite an achievement.

How'd he fare in 1959?  Neil only appeared in 65 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1959, hitting a very modest .132 with 6 HRs and 11 RBI.  His limited playing time was largely due to the great outfield that the Tigers trotted out there everyday, namely Al Kaline in center (.327/27/94), Harvey Kuenn in right (.353/9/71) and Charlie Maxwell in left (.251/31/95).

• His first hit in 1959 was a double on April 24th.  He didn't get another hit until July 1st, a homer.  His next two hits would also be HRs, and then his 5th hit would be a double.   
• 9 of Neil's 14 hits during the '59 season were for extra bases.
• Johnny Kucks would be the only pitcher to serve up more than one HR to Chrisley during his career; Chrisley hit 2 in the same game off of him in 1960, then hit a 3rd HR two weeks later.
• Neil was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 1960 expansion draft, but was returned back to the Tigers the same day.
• His final big league season in 1961 with the Milwaukee Braves would see him only appear as a pinch hitter.  2 for 9 with a walk were his totals.  He never took the field for the Braves in '61.

Even though Chrisley didn't appear in the majors after '61, he had a card in the '62 Topps set (#308), depicting him as a member of the NY Mets.  He didn't appear for the Mets in '62 during the season, as he was returned back to the Braves at the beginning of April.  He would play in the minors until retiring after the 1964 season.    

Neil passed away at the age of 81 in 2013.

thanks for reading, Robert