Card front
Today, we sometimes tag the All-Star game as a piano recital of top performers for each league, where everyone gets a turn at bat and polite applause. In 1938, though, all but 2 starters played a full 9 innings. Gehrig pinch-hit (for 3B Buddy Lewis) and took over at 1B in the 5th, but rather than bow out, Jimmie Foxx simply moved over defensively to 3rd. Backup third-sacker (and Lou's NYY teammate) Red Rolfe stayed in the dugout.
While a good hitter in 1945, and still able to leg out several triples, the late-30s Martin soon found himself unable to compete in the Yankee outfield. Joe DiMaggio's return from the war keyed a replacement of all three starting positions, something seen in many post-war ballparks. Hersh instead caught on with the PCL Oakland Oaks, a AAA team performing well under eventual HOFer Casey Stengel. (See 1947's Oaks #5, Ray Hamrick, for more detail on the "Old Perfessor.")
Card back
Hersh's card closely resembles several Oakland Oaks issues from the same era. Local stores sponsored 4 total for the popular team, including 2 in 1947. (Remar obviously baked bread products; Smith's made men's clothing.)
- 1946 Remar Bread Oakland Oaks
- 1947 Remar Bread Oakland Oaks
- 1947 Smith's Oakland Oaks
- 1948 Smith's Oakland Oaks
- eBay search for 1946, 1947, and 1948 Oakland Oaks
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