'59 Topps Set Build: #1/572 Dick Drott

This is the 1st of 572 posts related to my quest to build the 1959 Topps set.  I plan on having a lot of fun doing these posts, and learning a little something about the players and the cards in this set.   I hope that you will have fun with these as well.

#15:  Dick Drott, Chicago Cubs

Career beginnings:  Dick was signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1954.

Awards/League Leader/Titles:  

• Dick placed 3rd in rookie of the year voting in 1957
• He led the NL in walks during the '57 season with 129
• He was not part of a championship club

Dick passed away from stomach cancer in 1985 at the age of 49.

Career Line:  27-46  4.78 ERA and 1.499 WHIP over 7 MLB seasons
Loved to face:  Bill Mazeroski (5/40  .125  1 HR 6K)
Hated to face:  Harry Anderson (11/24  .458  3HR 11 RBI)

How did he do in 1959?  1-2 with a 5.93 ERA in 8 appearances (6 starts), his season was limited due to arm issues.

• He pitched a complete game shutout vs. Milwaukee on June 14th, scattering 7 hits in a 6-0 win.

Ban the DH? (I will use this for pitchers, inspired by Pittsburgh broadcaster Bob Walk)  Dick was actually a decent hitting pitcher; two different seasons he hit .273, and he finished his career with a .168 average.   

About the card: 

• This is Dick's 2nd card release, his RC was card #80 in the '58 Topps set.  The cartoon on the back is kind of funny.  First, one usually thinks of strikeout pitchers as throwing flames, not lightning bolts (at least I do).  Also, are those boots he's wearing?  It has to be tough pitching with those on.

• The front of the card is a plain head shot, with Dick staring upwards at heaven knows what.  I've noticed from the first few dozen cards that I've acquired that this is a common theme. 

• The black front with yellow letters reminds is one of 13 different color combinations that I've identified in the first group of cards. 
• I picked this card up at a card show, which is where I imagine I'll end up getting the majority of the set.  I'll do my best to keep track of this as well.

 Thanks for reading, Robert