1948 R346 Blue Tint Ewell Blackwell

In every post, I try to give a little information about each card.

What I do know is Ewell Blackwell was considered one of the most feared pitchers of his day. Think Randy Johnson.

He was a tall (6-6) and lanky. And he had an unconventional sidearm delivery.

In 1947, he was one inning away from tying teammate Johnny Vander Meer as the only pitcher to throw consecutive no-hitters.

That being said, I honestly know little about this Blue Tint set.

First, a little inside baseball card talk. This card is designated by an 'R' as in R346. Generally speaking, that means it's a gum and candy card. But from what I can tell, this card was available in strips, meaning it should be designated a 'W' card.

There's no doubt it was hand cut but I've read it was available in strips of six or eight cards. But where was it available? Was it sold in vending machines or in corner stores?

Surely there's someone out there who can share their knowledge of this not-so-common set.

1948 R448 Swell Sport Thrills Most Dramatic Home Run (Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig)

Generally speaking, you'd be lucky to find Mickey Mantle or Jackie Robinson cards issued during their playing days for less than $40.

Poor old Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax cards are a bargain between $10 and $15.

Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth?

Good Luck finding Gehrig for under $400 in any condition or Ruth for under $700.

I've been looking for a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth for years but can't seem to find the right one. Even those that appear to have been driven over by a truck will set you back $800.

While it's not a card issued during their playing days, this 1948 Swell Sport Thrills card is a fairly rare and early card of the duo. Is there an earlier card featuring the two Yankee legends?

I admit it, I paid $75 for this beauty. Did I get a good deal? How much would you pay?

1921 W516-1-1 Jess Barnes

I went to a baseball game today. It lasted two hours and 45 minutes. A relatively quick game considering the major league average is just under 3 hours.

On Sept. 28, 1919, Jess Barnes set a Major League record. He pitched a complete-game, five-hitter in 51 minutes.

Fifty-one minutes.

The Giants scored five runs on 13 hits. The Phillies scored one run on 5 hits.

In fifty-one minutes.

I've waited at concession stands longer than 51 minutes.

Today's game had a combined nine hits and three runs and lasted more than three times as long.

I understand there was no TV or replay reviews in 1919. And I know pitchers were more likely to pitch longer and not yield the ball to relievers. But something needs to change.

I continually hear that games are too long and something has to be done to make them shorter. Today's baseball is big business and unless we're willing to give up commercial breaks, it doesn't seem likely we'll ever see the likes of Jess Barnes again.

1967 Topps Ernie Banks

When it comes to poor old baseball cards of the 1950s-60s, there's a hierarchy.  First, there's Mickey Mantle. Next are Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax.

Stan Musial, Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews and Ernie Banks follow. I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting but that's the way it all shuffles out in my head.

It has nothing to do with stats. If it did, Banks would rank right up there with Mantle.

As it stands, Mantle's cards are worth many times more than Banks. This poor old Ernie Banks set me back $6. A Mantle card in the same year and condition would probably cost around $60.

Mantle played 18 seasons and hit 536 homers with 1,509 RBI. He was a three-time MVP. Banks played 19 seasons and hit 512 homers with 1,636 RBI. He was a two-time MVP. Mantle was the premiere American League player of the 50s-60s. Banks shared the spotlight with the likes of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Stan Musial and Eddie Mathews in the National League.

Mantle played in New York; Banks in Chicago. Mantle played in 12 World Series and won seven; Banks played in none.

And there's the difference.

Are Ernie Banks' baseball cards underrated?
	Yes, his cards should be right up there with Mickey Mantle's.
	Yes, only because Mickey Mantle is overrated.
	No, Mickey Mantle deserves to be in a league of his own.
	No, Banks never won a championship.
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