{"product_id":"1952-topps-136-johnny-schmitz-psa-ex-mt-6-5","title":"1952 Topps #136 Johnny Schmitz PSA EX-MT+ 6.5","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1952 Topps #136 Johnny Schmitz PSA 6.5 - The Southpaw Who Kept Battling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere was something unmistakable about \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJohnny “Bear Tracks” Schmitz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the talented left-hander whose distinctive shuffle to the mound earned him one of baseball's more memorable nicknames. A fixture in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChicago Cubs' rotation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e throughout much of the 1940s, Schmitz developed a reputation for challenging hitters with an effective assortment of pitches and a fiercely competitive approach. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he returned to the Major Leagues in 1946 and immediately led the National League with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e135 strikeouts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, earning his first All-Star selection. His \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1952 Topps #136\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e captures the veteran southpaw during a fascinating period of transition, when his career had taken him from Chicago to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrooklyn Dodgers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, placing him in the middle of one of baseball's most exciting National League rivalries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis impressive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePSA EX-MT+ 6.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e example features \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexcellent centering and outstanding eye appeal for the assigned grade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Schmitz's portrait is attractively positioned within the borders, creating a beautifully balanced presentation that complements the bold colors and classic artwork of the 1952 Topps issue. The desirable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehalf-point designation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e places this example between Excellent-Mint and Near Mint, while its strong centering gives the card an especially pleasing visual presence. With its \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eattractive overall preservation and well-proportioned borders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is a terrific example for collectors seeking quality and eye appeal throughout the historic 1952 Topps set.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchmitz enjoyed his finest Major League season in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1948\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, when he recorded \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18 victories, a brilliant 2.64 ERA, and 18 complete games\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for a Cubs team that finished last in the National League. His performance earned him a second \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll-Star selection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and a 12th-place finish in National League MVP voting, demonstrating just how effective he could be despite limited team success.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hall of Fame Exchange","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67905972961589,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/7827\/6917\/files\/1952Topps_136JohnnySchmitzPSA6.5.png?v=1792697551","url":"https:\/\/halloffameexchange.com\/products\/1952-topps-136-johnny-schmitz-psa-ex-mt-6-5","provider":"Hall of Fame Exchange","version":"1.0","type":"link"}