Autographed Cards of the 1969 Cubsby Lerxst2112 - 55 cards (Last updated on Jan 1, 2024) |
Here's a key to the info on each player's page. For example:
Ted Abernathy
"Abby" d.04 (36 yr. old veteran Reliever) 56 gamesTed Abernathy's nickname was "Abby", he died in 2004, he was a 36 years old relief pitcher during the 1969 season and he appeared in 56 games as a Cub in 1969. If the player was an All-Star in 1969 that is also indicated here. This information is followed by a short player bio including any of my personal encounters with the player.
1969 Cubs Autographed Topps Cards
41. 1969 Topps #4 National League 1968 RBI Leaders (Willie McCovey / Ron Santo / Billy Williams)
Ron appears on this Topps leader card with two fellow Hall of Famers, Willie McCovey and longtime teammate Billy Williams. Ron's road to the HOF was a rough one. Originally bypassed by the BBWAA he was relegated to the Veteran's Committee votes where he received increasing totals over 13 years, but never enough to put him in. He was finally elected by a 16 member Golden Era committee in 2012, two years after his death. |
42. 1969 Topps #420 Ron Santo
In Ron's 15 years playing baseball he was a 9 time All-Star and a 5 time Gold Glove winner. He suffered from Diabetes from the time he was a teen, eventually losing both legs to the disease later in life. He kept the disease a secret during his playing days until he revealed it on "Ron Santo Day" in 1971. The Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes in Chicago has raised over $65 million for the Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation. Ron's son Jeff, documented Ron's struggle with the disease in a 2004 film, "This Old Cub". Ron's number 10 was retired by the Cubs in 2003. Ron broadcast Cub games for 20 years, from 1990 until his death in 2010 at the age of 70. Ron was cremated and his ashes were scattered near 3rd base at Wrigley Field. |
43. 1969 Topps - Deckle #19 Ron Santo
Some superstitious fans attribute the Cubs 1969 collapse to an incident at Shea Stadium on September 9. A black cat, an omen of bad luck, walked behind the Cubs on-deck circle where captain Ron Santo was standing. The Cubs lost that game and their lead was cut to a half game over the Mets. The Cubs went 8-17 in September, while the Mets were 23-7. The Mets finished 8 games up on the Cubs who had been 9 games up on the Mets as late as August 16th. |
44. 1969 Topps #197 Dick Selma
Dick Selmad.01 (25 yr. old starting Pitcher) 36 gamesDick came up with the Mets and pitched there from 1965 to '68. The Padres claimed him in the expansion draft and Dick recorded their first ever victory in 1969. Traded to the Cubs soon after, Dick became the fourth starter and cheerleader of the Bleacher Bums in '69. He waved a towel over his head when the Cubs needed a rally. Sent to the Phillies from 1970-73, he ended his career in 1974 with the Angels and Brewers. I never met Dick as he passed away from cancer in 2001, not long after I started this project. I have 8 of 8 Topps cards autographed. (13 total signed cards) See more of my Dick Selma collection |
45. 1969 Topps #538 Charlie Smith
Charlie Smithd.94 (31 yr. old Pinch Hitter) 2 gamesCharley played for 7 teams over his 10 year career primarily as a third baseman. He was one of the few major leaguers to play for both Chicago teams and both New York teams. The St. Louis Cardinals traded Smith to the Yankees for Roger Maris after the 1966 season. Charlie appeared as a pinch hitter in only 2 games for the Cubs early in 1969. He died as the result of a blood clot following knee surgery in 1994 at age 57. As a result, signed items by Charlie are difficult to come by. I have 8 of 8 Topps cards autographed. (14 total signed cards) See more of my Charlie Smith collection |
46. 1969 Topps #198 Willie Smith
Willie Smithd.06 (30 yr. old Outfielder) 103 gamesWillie played 9 years for 5 teams. After starting as a pitcher with the Tigers in 1963, he was converted to the outfield by the Angels. Willie hit a pinch-hit walk-off homer for the Cubs on opening day of 1969 putting them in 1st place where they stayed for 155 days. Willie played 103 games in the outfield and first base in '69. After his MLB career ended with the Reds in 1971 he played in Japan for 2 seasons. I was able to meet Willie at public signings a few times before he died at 66 in 2006. I have 7 of 7 Topps cards autographed. (14 total signed cards) See more of my Willie Smith collection |
47. 1969 Topps #268 Al Spangler
Al Spangler"Spanky" (35 yr. old Outfielder) 82 gamesAl spent much of his 13 year career as a reserve due to his lack of power. Al played for the Braves from 1959 through '61 before being taken by the expansion Colts for 1962. Al drove in the first run in Houston baseball history. He signed with the Cubs in '67 playing there until '71. Spangler and Hickman shared right field in 1969. Al hit 2 homers in a 1969 game against the Braves. Al was a coach and minor league manager before becoming a Texas high school coach. I've met Al a few times at public signings. I have 11 of 11 Topps cards autographed. (33 total signed cards) See more of my Al Spangler collection |
48. 1969 Topps #450 Billy Williams
Billy Williams • HOF"Sweet Swingin" (31 yr. old LF) 163 gamesBilly played his first 16 seasons with the Cubs and his last 2 with Oakland. Billy was admired for his perfect swing and is the origin of his nickname. He hit for a natural cycle in 1966. Billy was the Cubs everyday left fielder in 1969. Billy was remarkably consistent, his best years being 1970 and 72, finishing 2nd in MVP voting each year. After retiring, Billy spent 19 years coaching in the majors. I've been to many of Billy's signings over the years. I have 21 of 25 Topps cards autographed. (41 total signed cards) Need 1965-4; 1966-217; 1971-64; 1974-338 See more of my Billy Williams collection |
49. 1969 Topps #4 National League 1968 RBI Leaders (Willie McCovey / Ron Santo / Billy Williams)
Billy was voted NL Rookie of the Year in 1961 and was a six time All-Star. The Cubs held a "Billy Wiilliams Day" in 1969. He played in a NL record 1117 consecutive games, since surpassed by Steve Garvey. Billy hit over 400 home runs in his career. His number 26 was retired by the Cubs in 1987, the same year he was elected to the Hall of Fame. In 2010 the Cubs erected a statue of Billy outside Wrigley Field joining statues of Banks (2008) and Santo (2011). |
50. 1969 Topps #602 Cubs 1969 Rookie Stars (Alec Distaso / Don Young / Jim Qualls)
Don Young(23 yr. old Center Fielder) 101 gamesDon played 2 seasons for the Cubs, 1965 and 1969. Don was the starting center fielder for most of the 1969 season. On July 8th against the Mets, he failed to catch 2 balls that went as doubles. Durocher blamed Don for the loss. Santo criticized him in the clubhouse with the press there, then made a public apology the next day. Young was unfairly blamed by many for the Cubs collapse. Many now feel Durocher not resting his regular players was a big factor in the events of the season. Don was nearly impossible to find by autograph seekers for years. He eventually was coaxed into a private signing and then a public signing where I finally met him in 2007. Don signed a Mets scorecard from the July 8th game for me. I have 3 of 3 Topps cards autographed. (5 total signed cards) See more of my Don Young collection |
Comments
Most impressive collection, and I'm not even an IP auto auto type of collector! | ||
Thanks Billy. I think you'd enjoy all the details I've catalogued involving my autograph collections. Each autographed item includes the date of acquisition, the source and the cost. I too wrote everything down by hand on paper. It all needs to be transferred to an Excel (or Access) doc so I can have better access to the info. I wish I'd kept better records with regards to the costs involved in acquiring the item prior to it being signed. For example, my 1962 Topps signed Jim Hickman only details the cost of acquiring the autograph, but the card itself was probably $40 before it was signed because it's the last card in the set. |
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This list was created by site member Lerxst2112. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Trading Card Database.
