Monster Card Monday: 1930 Al Simmons

I think I’ve gotten more requests to profile this card than any other.  The kicker was when my buddy Brando texted me a photo of his card (perhaps as a hint) after my Monster Card post came out two weeks ago.  So here he is… 1930 Al Simmons.

And Simmons’ 1930 card certainly deserves recognition.  It’s one of the best full-time hitting APBA cards out there.  With six power numbers (1-1-2-6-6-6) plus three 7s not to mention the 15-10 and three 31s, it’s simply a fantastic card.  Simmons adds to his value with his fielding too with his OF-3.

It’s enough that we can forgive him for his 13-40.

Simmons (born Aloys Szymanski) led the AL in hitting in 1930 with a .381 average.  He also topped the league in runs scored with 152.  It’s worth noting that despite his relatively low number of walks (39), he struck out even less (34).  That’s reflected in his APBA card with his solitary 13 at 26.

After a 20 year career in which he maintained a .334 batting average, “Bucketfoot Al” was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1953.  His list of accomplishments is quite long including:

• Two batting crowns and 23rd on the all-time list in hitting
• Led the league twice in hits (ironically, not the two years he won the batting titles)
• 1,827 career rbis (19th all-time)
• Led the league twice in extra base hits (1925 and 1929) and 36th all-time with 995

Those who have played the 1930 set are probably familiar with Simmons’ card as well as the tough Philadelphia A’s team with Foxx and Cochrane.  With Grove on the mound, this team could hardly lose.

See other Monster Card Monday selections