1952 TOPPS Baseball Cards   

Leroy Robert (Satchel) Paige

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"

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Probably the oldest Rookie to ever appear in the major leagues. It's believed Satchel was in his early 40's when Bill Veeck signed him and brought him up to play for the Cleveland Indians in 1948. In his first year with Cleveland, he went 6-1 with one save and a 2.48 ERA. Joe DiMaggio called him "the best and fastest pitcher I've ever faced".

A Satchel Paige card was included in the 1953 Topps set with his first name spelled with 2 L's instead of the correct single L. He was not included in the Topps debut set of 1952. Since he retired after the 1953 season, the 1953 card is the only Topps card made of Satchel Paige during his playing days.

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