I ran across this card as I was cleaning out my desk this week. It’s Ray Scarborough’s card from 1953. It really got my attention.
1953 was Scarborough’s last season in his ten year career. As a pitcher, it wasn’t a very eventful year other than that he split it between the Yanks and the Tigers. He had mediocre year on the mound. He went 2-4 with a 4.66 ERA in 75 plus innings with just one start.
Scarborough did however, hit his only homerun of his career in 1953. It was the only hit that year in fifteen plate appearances.
Also worthy of note, he hit into one double play.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 Totals | 38 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .071 | .071 | .286 |
Scarborough’s 1953 card goes from power hitter to Mendoza pretty quick. After his 66-1 and 11-1, things go pretty sour. Those are his only hit numbers. APBA gave him a 33-21 and then a 22-23. After that, it’s out numbers. Ray gets a nasty 44-13. He doesn’t get any 14s either with a 45-36.
Scarborough is also cursed with seven 24s on his card. Ironically, there isn’t one on 41 because this 1953 set has the 12 there.
Ray Scarborough (born “Rae Scarborough”) was actually a decent starting pitcher in his time. He reached double figures in wins four times and was named AL All-Star in 1950. His best year was probably 1948 with the Washington Senators when he went 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA.
Eh the mention of the Washington Senators. I really wish the new Washington team would have been called that but I understand why it didn’t happen.