On a programming note, boy did my mailbox take a pounding this week. I'm sitting on packages from Tony and Brad that will be posted this week and Julie added one to the mix while I was gone. They arrived safe and sound. The other packages were random eBay purchases I made over the Thanksgiving holiday. Being off work sometimes causes me to spend a little too much time shopping for cardboard.
Here is one of the cooler cards I picked up.
1949 Bowman Stan Rojek
I must have been scouring eBay with a generic search in to come across this card. Obviously this card sticks out as it features Stan Rojek's nickname "Happy Rabbit" which is one of the main reasons I purchased the card. After a little research it seems he got the nickname because of his projecting front teeth.
Turns out Stan is a pretty interesting guy. He debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942 as a pinch runner, but then had to wait 3 years because of WWII. A shortstop by trade he thought he would have a chance to start with Brooklyn, but was blocked by Pee Wee Reese. During his career his only extended playing time came with the Pirates in 48 and 49. His offense declined after being hit by a pitch which he said lead him to being a fraction of second slower with his swing.
The other interesting tidbit was after retirement he went opened a bowling alley in his hometown and the first person to break in the new alley was hall of fame manager Joe Mccarthy. The idea for the bowling alley must likely came from Stan Musial who was a close friend and would visit Rojek often.
It is always fun to research a guy like Rojek. One of the many pleasure our fun hobby can provide! You can get sucked in by pages like Baseball Reference and SABR.
Thanks for reading.
