1969 Topps, Dave Wickersham

#647 Dave Wickersham

Here is the final '69 Topps card that I got signed through the mail this past offseason. Dave was part of my "KC A's reunion TTM project" and I sent this card to him on January 13 and got it back on the 20th. I think that this was my first TTM that I have ever sent out to someone that lives in Kansas and I was hoping to have this one back super-quick. The seven day response was really good, but it wasn't the the super-quickness that I was hoping for.

Dave played in the Majors for parts of ten seasons and he spent time with the A's, Tigers, Pirates, and Royals. He split time as a starter and reliever and his best season came as a starter with Detroit. In 1964, Dave finished the season 19-12 with a 3.44 ERA. According to Wikipedia, Dave was ejected from his final start of the season in the seventh inning of a tied game. He apparently called time out three times in a row to prevent a base runner from advancing as Norm Cash was arguing with an umpire. A reliever came in and got the win as the Tigers scored three in the ninth. Dave had eleven complete games that season and a twelfth might have got him that elusive twentieth win.

Dave finished his career 68-57 with 18 saves and a 3.66 ERA. He is one of just four players that played for the Kansas City A's and the Kansas City Royals.

Prior to getting this card signed, a '71 Topps card was the oldest Royal card that I have signed. It is nice to have one signed from one of the original Royals. It's even better to have a higher number card that shows the player in an actual Royals uniform.