1934-1936 Diamond Stars: #84 Sam Byrd

Sunday, May 8, 2022

#84 Sam Byrd - Cincinnati Reds

Samuel Dewey Byrd

Cincinnati Reds

Outfield

Bats: Right Throws: Right Height: 5'10" Weight: 175

Born: October 15, 1907, Bremen, GA

Major League Teams: New York Yankees 1929-1934; Cincinnati Reds 1935-1936

World Series Appearances: New York Yankees 1932

Died: May 11, 1981, Mesa, AZ (73)

Given the nickname, "Babe Ruth's Legs," Sammy Byrd was often inserted into games as a pinch-runner or late inning defensive replacement for the aging slugger (#110). He made 71 pinch-running appearances for the Yankees between 1929 and 1934, 120 pinch-hitting appearances and started 385 games at all three outfield positions. He was a member of the Yankees team that swept the Cubs in 1932 World Series, playing the ninth inning of Game 4 in left field as Ruth watched his team clinch the title from the Yankees' bench. Byrd got the chance at regular playing time in 1935 after the Yankees sold him to the Reds. He was the Reds' opening day left fielder, switching over to center fielder for the bulk of the season. Byrd appeared in a career-high 121 games, batting .262 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs. His final season in the majors followed in 1936, with Byrd back serving in a reserve role. The Reds traded him to the Cardinals following the 1936 season, but Byrd announced his retirement from baseball to focus on his professional golf career.

May 2, 2022 - Ben finishing strong

Successfully making the switch from baseball to golf, he finished third at the Masters in 1941 and fourth in 1942, making him the only person to have played in a World Series and in the Masters. Byrd won six PGA events during his golf career, retiring from the tour in 1949.

Building the Set

May 2, 2022 from Auburn, NY - Card #50

May 2022 was marked by a horrible bout of seasonal allergies, coordinating my work schedule around Doug's freshman baseball games and Ben's middle school track meets, dealing with a frustrating and underperforming Phillies team and the addition of the 50th card to my Diamond Stars set. The addition of this Byrd card was a pleasant surprise.

Looking for a temporary distraction from an online meeting that could have been an e-mail, I casually browsed eBay and came across this Byrd card with a reasonably low opening bid. I met the opening bid, noted the auction had a full week to go, and went about my day. I was reminded I had bid on the card shortly before the auction ended, and I was happy to see I was still the only bidder for it. The auction clock ticked down, the auction ended with just my one bid, and the card was mine. It arrived a few days later from eBay seller jamibe, located in Auburn, New York.

Variations Available

1 - 1935 / green back / 1934 statistics / 1935 copyright

2 - 1935 / blue back / 1934 statistics / 1935 copyright

3 - 1936 / blue back / 1935 statistics / 1935 copyright ✅

Cards 73 through 84 were issued in 1935 with either green or blue ink on the back and statistics from 1934. These same 12 cards were issued again in 1936 with blue ink on the back and statistics from 1935. The Byrd card for my set is the third of the three variations available, issued in 1936.

The Card / Reds Team Set

The source photo for this card appears to be from the 1934-36 Batter-Up set, with the National Chicle artist altering Byrd's Yankees uniform and hat to a Reds uniform and hat. Byrd wore #24 with the Yankees in 1932, and the 4 is peaking through on his back. The narrative on the back of the card foreshadows his future as a professional golfer, noting that "golf does not spoil the natural flow of a batters swing." The tip goes on to note the similarities between swinging a baseball bat and a golf club, with importance placed on the swinger to be relaxed, never tense. This is the final card in the set's 60-card second series.

1936 Season

Once again a back-up outfielder after getting a taste of regular play in 1935, Byrd appeared in 59 games for the Reds, batting .248 with a pair of home runs and 13 RBIs. On May 23rd, Byrd pinch-hit for pitcher Don Brennan in the bottom of the ninth inning at Crosley Field, with the Reds trailing the Pirates, 3-0 and the bases loaded. Byrd connected for an "ultimate" grand slam, sending the Reds to a walk-off 4-3 victory, hitting a home run to deep left off Pirates' pitcher Cy Blanton (#57).