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Carl Michael Yastrzemski
Boston Red Sox
Outfield
Born: August 22, 1939, Southampton, NY
Signed: Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent, November 29, 1958
Major League Teams: Boston Red Sox 1961-1983
Hall of Fame Induction: 1989
For over two decades, Carl Yastrzemski was a mainstay at Fenway Park, as the team's regular left fielder, then first baseman and finally designated hitter. One of the all-time Red Sox fan favorites, Yastrzemski made his first of 18 All-Star teams in 1963, while also being awarded his first of seven Gold Gloves. That was also the season he won his first of three batting titles with a .321 average. He'd produce consistently stellar seasons throughout the 1960s, culminating with his triple crown win in 1967 (.326 average, 44 home runs, 121 RBIs) en route to the league MVP award and an American League pennant for his Impossible Dream Red Sox. Yastrzemski continued his superstar output throughout the 1970s, again helping to lead the Red Sox to the World Series in 1975. On September 12, 1979, he became the first American League player with 3,000 career hits and 400 home runs.
He retired at the end of the 1983 season having appeared in 3,308 games, 2nd on the all-time list behind Pete Rose (#207). His career at-bats (11,988), hits (3,419), doubles (646) and walks (1,845) are all currently in the top ten all-time. Yastrzemski tallied 452 home runs and 1,844 RBIs, and along with Ted Williams, the player he replaced, is at the top of just about every offensive category on the Red Sox all-time lists. His #8 was retired by the Red Sox in 1989, the same year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot.
Building the Set
The Card / Red Sox Team Set
I feel this is an iconic baseball card, and I love it's now in our collection. Topps reprinted this card for its 2010 Topps Cards Your Mom Threw Out insert set. Yastrzemski's name appears in white text on the front of the card, while every other Red Sox card in the set uses yellow for the player's name. The back of the card mentions his two batting titles to date, in 1959 in the Carolina League and in 1963. Yastrzemski's fielding skills often get overlooked, and he led all outfielders in assists in seven different seasons between 1962 and 1977.
September 15, 2022 from San Diego, CA (Kit Young Cards) - Card #593
This card was part of a larger stress-induced purchase from Kit Young Cards in mid-September. The stress was all work related, and while some people choose to relieve stress through less productive means, I opted to purchase several vintage baseball cards. The centerpiece of the haul was this Yaz card, which dropped the number of cards needed for our complete set down to five. Joining Yaz were Diamond Stars cards of Joe Stripp and Lloyd Waner, along with a League Leaders card from the 1969 Topps set, which will be my focus after the last five cards needed from 1965 are tracked down.
September 2022 was a blur. I travelled for work the better part of two weeks, school started, the boys' fall sports schedules (cross country and baseball) were non-stop and there was little to no time to rest or to enjoy baseball card purchases. Taking a mental health day in early October, I was happy to have the time to catch my breath and truly appreciate the new baseball cards that helped get me through that month.
The Card / Red Sox Team Set
I feel this is an iconic baseball card, and I love it's now in our collection. Topps reprinted this card for its 2010 Topps Cards Your Mom Threw Out insert set. Yastrzemski's name appears in white text on the front of the card, while every other Red Sox card in the set uses yellow for the player's name. The back of the card mentions his two batting titles to date, in 1959 in the Carolina League and in 1963. Yastrzemski's fielding skills often get overlooked, and he led all outfielders in assists in seven different seasons between 1962 and 1977.
1965 Season
The Red Sox would lose 100 games, but the all-star play of Yastrzemski gave fans reasons to hope. In 133 games, Yastrzemski batted .312 with 20 home runs and 72 RBIs as the club's regular left fielder for the fifth straight season. He hit for the cycle on May 14th, adding an extra home run for bonus points. On September 25th, the Red Sox faced off against the Athletics and their starting pitcher, 58-year-old Satchel Paige. Paige pitched three innings with Yastrzemski collecting the only hit, a double, against him.
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First Mainstream Card: 1960 Topps #148
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (25): 1960-1984
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2022 Topps Pristine #149
2,870 - Yastrzemski non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 11/12/22.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
National Baseball Hall of Fame
SABR
The Trading Card Database
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