Author Series: When Baseball Was Still Topps: Portraits of the Game in 1959, Card by Card

Phil Coffin explores the 1959 Topps baseball card set, from the first card to the last (No. 572). When Baseball Was Still Topps contemplates the lives and times of mid-20th century baseball. The 1959 season occurred in the midst of continuing integration, franchise shifts to the West Coast, a potential rival league, and labor issues that included paying young prospects not to play.

The baseball cards help tell the players’ stories, too, from the slugger who once had a date with Marilyn Monroe (no, it wasn’t Joe DiMaggio) to the minor leaguer ballplayer better known than Marilyn. There are also stories of the only man to ever pinch-hit for Ted Williams, players with wonderful nicknames, off-the-field hellraisers, and the coolest socks in baseball. Pick any card—and you’ll find another engaging tale about the game.

The program begins at 1 pm in the Bullpen Theater and virtually. There will be a book signing in the Library Atrium following the program.

Virtual participants may join us live on the Hall of Fame's Facebook page.