Last time 1962 eked out a 5-4 win. What will happen this time?
This is one of the more unusual rookie cards in the vintage Topps set. He came up with the White Sox for five games in 1957, and in 1958 Topps issued a card with this photo (wearing a White Sox cap) against a yellow background. In 1958 he pitched in 7 more games for the pale hose, and his 1959 card reused his 1958 photo, now on a gray background. Though Rudolph pitched for both the White Sox and Reds in 1959, he did not get a card in 1960. He spent the next couple of years in the minors, and was a Rule V selection by the Indians in November of 1961. Topps decided this warranted a card, so they airbrushed a Cleveland cap on the photo they had already used twice, put him on an orange background, and declared him a 1962 rookie. He pitched in one game for the Tribe before they traded him to the Senators in May. With Washington he finally got a chance to stick in the majors for good, with 102 appearances (57 starts) between 1962 and 1964. Finally an established major leaguer, Topps finally issued cards with new photos of Rudolph in '63 and '64. Overall in 124 games, Rudolph went 18-32 with an ERA of 4.00. He was best known for being married to burlesque star Patti Waggin. Rudolph managed her, with her appearances usually coinciding with Rudolph's baseball travel. They had a daughter in 1961. Rudolph retired from baseball in 1966 and started a contracting company, but was killed in 1968 when his truck overturned.
Wayne Tolleson at shortstop at Yankee Stadium. This was my first year following baseball, and the scrappy, spectacled little guy was easy for a little kid to root for. Tolleson was a two-sport star at Western Carolina, where he was an All-Southern-Conference WR. He came up with the Rangers in 1981 and was a utility infielder for them through 1985. He was traded to the White Sox in 1986, who in mid-season dealt him to the Yankees. He stayed with the Yankees through 1989. Tolleson was a good fielder with excellent speed, but could not hit for average or power. In 863 games he hit .241 with 9 HR, 133 RBI and 108 SB. After his playing career he was an executive for Centerplate, a food vendor at sports stadiums. He is now a consultant and coach for youth baseball organizations.
