'59 Topps set build #22/572 Pete Whisenant

It's been a while since I've written one of these posts, and with a few days vacation time ahead of me I guess I should get back into the swing of things.  This is the 22nd of 572 cards for the '59 set...

Card # 14:  Pete Whisenant

Redlegs.   Gotta love that name.   It didn't last much longer as they moved back to the Reds in 1961.

The black background with the yellow letters is a great look.  The front of this card is in decent enough shape that I probably will not look for an upgrade.

Love the cartoon on the back.  I'm not sure if that's a hot dog or a hoagie that he's eating, but it sure looks like Pete is enjoying it!!  (Upon closer inspection, I see the box beside Pete on the bench says hot dogs)

Pete was signed as a 17 year old free agent by the Boston Braves in 1947, where he would spend 7 seasons in the minors (Pete served in the military in 1951), with only limited service on the major league squad in 1952. 

Pete would play in Atlanta for two years for a team called the Crackers.  Not the greatest of team names if you ask me...

How'd he fare in 1959?: Pete didn't play a lot for the Reds during the '59 season, only appearing in 36 games and hitting .239 with 5 HR and 11 RBI's.

Pete would only play two more seasons in the majors before being released by the Reds in 1961.  Pete would be part of the coaching staff in '61 and '62 for Cincinnati, with the '61 team losing to the Yankees in 5 games in the World Series. 

Pete passed away in 1996 at the age of 66.

thanks for reading, Robert