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Tommy Lee McCraw
Chicago White Sox
First Base
Born: November 21, 1940, Malvern, AR
Signed: Signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent before 1960 season
Major League Teams: Chicago White Sox 1963-1970; Washington Senators 1971; Cleveland Indians 1972; California Angels 1973-1974; Cleveland Indians 1974-1975
Tommy McCraw played in parts of 13 seasons in the majors, finding his most success with the White Sox in the mid to late 1960s. As a versatile left-handed bat, McCraw saw playing time as a first baseman, pinch-hitter and in all three outfield spots over his first few seasons in Chicago. He assumed the team's regular first baseman job in 1967, following the departure of Bill Skowron (#70). A solid defensive first baseman, McCraw would keep his position despite a low batting average and low power output. He drove in a career-high 48 runs in 1966 and hit his career high in home runs with 11 in 1967. McCraw would return to part-time player status in 1969 and he was dealt to the Senators before the 1971 season. He'd play five more seasons, all in the American League, and taking advantage of the new designated hitter role.
McCraw batted .246 with 972 hits, 75 home runs and 404 RBIs in the majors. Following his playing days, he'd begin a lengthy second career as a long-time hitting coach, serving on Frank Robinson's (#120) staff during Robinson's stint as a manager with four different franchises. McCraw and Robinson had been teammates later in both players' careers with the Angels and Indians. McCraw coached with the Indians (1975-1982), Giants (1983-1985), Orioles (1989-1991), Yankees (1992-1996), Astros (1997-2000) and Expos/Nationals (2002-2005).
Building the Set
March 6, 2022 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards - Babylon, NY) - Card #544
The Card / White Sox Team Set
McCraw wore #14 during his first few years with the White Sox, switching to #24 for the 1965 season. You can see his #14 on his right jersey sleeve. His speed is noted in the write-up on the back, and McCraw stole at least ten bases or more in eight different seasons, capped by a career-high 24 stolen bases in 1967. His platoon with Skowron is also mentioned, but that wouldn't really go into effect until 1966. In 1965, Skowron started 143 games at first base. The following season, the platoon was evident with Skowron making 92 starts at first base to McCraw's 66.
1965 Season
McCraw appeared in 133 games for the White Sox, batting .238 with five home runs and 21 RBIs. He made starts at four different positions, including 30 starts in left field, 14 starts at first base, 14 starts in center field and two starts in right field.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1964 Topps #283
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (12): 1964-1975
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1981 TCMA The 1960s II #353
62 - McCraw non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 7/31/22.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
The Trading Card Database
Building the Set
March 6, 2022 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards - Babylon, NY) - Card #544
This is the 60th of 102 cards acquired for our set from the Baseball Card Sports Memorabilia Show, affectionately known as The Philly Show, held in the basement of the Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia in early March. We went nuts and left the show needing only 12 more cards to complete our 1965 Topps set, and I wrote about the show in detail over at The Phillies Room. Having wandered aimlessly among the dealer tables looking for binders with vintage commons, I decided to check to see if Uncle Dick's had refreshed their inventory following the December show, during which I had wiped out both their 1965 Topps binders. Much to my pleasant surprise, they had.
This McCraw card was $6 and was one of 49 commons and semi-stars purchased in my triumphant return to Uncle Dick's and his replenished neon green binders.
Depending on my ability to compose five posts a week on the cards acquired at this show, I should be completely caught up on this blog by mid-October. It's entirely feasible we complete our 1965 Topps set by the end of 2022, although nine of the remaining 12 cards needed are fairly expensive.
The Card / White Sox Team Set
McCraw wore #14 during his first few years with the White Sox, switching to #24 for the 1965 season. You can see his #14 on his right jersey sleeve. His speed is noted in the write-up on the back, and McCraw stole at least ten bases or more in eight different seasons, capped by a career-high 24 stolen bases in 1967. His platoon with Skowron is also mentioned, but that wouldn't really go into effect until 1966. In 1965, Skowron started 143 games at first base. The following season, the platoon was evident with Skowron making 92 starts at first base to McCraw's 66.
1965 Season
McCraw appeared in 133 games for the White Sox, batting .238 with five home runs and 21 RBIs. He made starts at four different positions, including 30 starts in left field, 14 starts at first base, 14 starts in center field and two starts in right field.
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First Mainstream Card: 1964 Topps #283
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (12): 1964-1975
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1981 TCMA The 1960s II #353
62 - McCraw non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 7/31/22.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
The Trading Card Database
Wikipedia
Previous Card: #585 Hank Fischer - Milwaukee Braves
Previous Card: #585 Hank Fischer - Milwaukee Braves
Next Card: #587 Joe Sparma - Detroit Tigers
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