Random item won from eBay for a reasonable winning bid while trying to stay awake during the recent West Coast road trip . . . This is my first 1954 Bowman Phillies card . . . Forrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess was acquired by the Phillies from the Reds in December 1951 in a 6-player trade that sent Dick Sisler to Cincinnati. He was the Phillies regular catcher in 1952, 1953 and 1954. Smoky had a career year for the Phils in 1954, hitting .368 (although he didn't have enough plate appearances to qualify for the NL title) and attending his first NL All-Star Game. He played 7 games for the Phils in 1955 before getting traded back to the Cincinnati Reds on April 30th. In total, Smoky was named to 6 NL All-Star teams with the Phils, the Reds and the Pirates.
Considered one of the best pinch-hitters of his day, Smoky played 18 seasons in the Majors before retiring after the 1967 season.
Did You Know?: On May 26, 1959, while with the Pirates, Smoky Burgess was the catcher for Harvey Haddix when Kitten threw his 12 perfect innings only to lose in the 13th.
A sad day when Sisler went to the Reds
ReplyDeleteAlmost as sad as when Bob Dernier was traded to the Cubbies.
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