t206 Frank “Home Run” Baker

The 1909 to 1911 T206 baseball card set has long been considered one of the most, if not the most, important issues in the entire hobby. The visual appeal of the cards, the immense size of the set, and the incredible player selection make this treasure a collector favorite. Along with the 1933 Goudey and 1952 Topps sets, the classic T206 set is one of “The Big Three” in the world of baseball cards.

You can easily make the argument that “The Monster,” as it is commonly referred to, is truly the pinnacle of all trading cards sets. It is much larger than the 1933 Goudey set, requiring more than twice the amount of cards to complete. It is also arguably more visually appealing than the 1952 Topps set due to the superb artwork used in the design.

Furthermore, the 524-card T206 set is home to the most valuable trading card in the world, the card that has become the symbol of the hobby itself. Of course, I am referring to the Mona Lisa of trading cards . . . the T206 Honus Wagner. The Wagner card shares the limelight with 75 other cards featuring members of baseball’s Hall of Fame, but it is worth more than the other 523 cards combined, assuming they are in the same condition. At the time of this writing (2009), the highest price ever paid for any trading card was $2.8 million, a Wagner example that was graded NM-MT 8 by Professional Sports Authenticator, the leading third-party authentication and grading service.

This particular subject is Frank “Home Run” Baker’s sophomore campaign. As part of the A’s $100,000 infield along with Stuffy McInnis, Eddie Collins and Black Jack Barry, Frank “Home Run” Baker was an exceptional third baseman and an outstanding hitter whose place in the Hall of Fame is well deserved. Initially, it was thought that the young Baker would not make the grade in Major League baseball. However, Buck Herzog, a friend who was already playing in the majors, convinced a few people to take a shot on the gifted third baseman.

Baker did not disappoint, as he batted .305 in 1909, his rookie season with the A’s and set a record for triples by a rookie, which still stands. That season, Baker was the first to hit the ball over the right field fence at the new Shibe Park, but he earned the nickname “Home Run” by going deep on two occasions during the 1911 World Series. Baker played in four World Series with the A’s and led the league in round-trippers over four consecutive seasons from 1911 to 1914. He credited his power-hitting ability to his work on the family farm, and kept in shape by chopping wood in the offseason.

Considered the best third baseman of the pre-war era, Baker went on to bat over .300 six times, and twice led the league in RBI. As a third baseman, he led the league in putouts seven times. Due to a salary dispute, Baker returned to his farm for the 1915 season. He was traded to the Yankees in 1916 where he had several good seasons before tragedy struck in 1920. Baker lost his wife to scarlet fever. Grief stricken, he took time off to care for his family, but returned to the Yankees in 1921 in time to play in two more World Series. Later, while managing in the Eastern Shore Baseball League, Baker discovered a pretty good ballplayer and recommended him to Connie Mack. That player was the great Jimmy Foxx. Frank “Home Run” Baker was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1955. He remains one of the greatest third basemen of all time, and is definitely our choice at the hot corner.

Not for sale, but contact me if you want me to entertain offers.