1934-1936 Diamond Stars: #30 "Heinie" Manush

Sunday, February 11, 2024

#30 "Heinie" Manush - Boston Red Sox (Variation)

Henry Emmett Manush

Boston Red Sox

Outfield

Bats: Left Throws: Left Height: 6'1" Weight: 200

Born: July 20, 1901, Tuscumbia, AL

Major League Teams: Detroit Tigers 1923-1927; St. Louis Browns 1928-1930; Washington Senators 1930-1935; Boston Red Sox 1936; Brooklyn Dodgers 1937-1938; Pittsburgh Pirates 1938-1939

World Series Appearances: Washington Senators 1933

Died: May 12, 1971, Sarasota, FL (69)

Hall of Fame Induction: 1964

Heinie Manush was one of the best contact hitters of his era, winning a batting title in 1926 with a .378 average and finishing in the top three in league MVP voting in three different seasons. Manush was consistently among the league leaders for batting average, missing a second title in 1928 by one point to Goose Goslin (#112). He led the league in hits in 1928 (241) and 1933 (221) and compiled 200-hit seasons four times. Goslin led the league in doubles twice (1928 and 1929) and triples once (1933). He helped lead the Senators to the World Series in 1933, along with shortstop Joe Cronin (#123), but the Giants defeated his team in five games. Manush was the starting left-fielder for the American League in the 1934 All-Star Game. Also a fine fielder, he often was among the league leaders for outfielders in defensive categories, finishing in the top ten for fielding percentage nine times.

Manush currently ranks 97th all-time for hits (2,524), 72nd all-time for doubles (491), 40th all-time for triples (160) and his career .330 batting average is 36th all-time. Following his playing days, he managed in the minor leagues, scouted for the Boston Braves and coached with the Senators in 1953 and 1954. Manush would also scout for the expansion Senators in 1961 and 1962. In 1964, the Veterans Committee of the Baseball Hall of Fame granted him induction for his career accomplishments.

Building the Set

February 5, 2024 from Valley Cottage, NY - Card #103

I'm entering rarified air at this point in our Diamond Stars set build, needing just 16 more cards for my version of a master set. This Manush card, the no "W" variation issued in 1936 after the outfielder had been traded to the Red Sox, had been on my eBay watch list for a while. When I received an offer from seller OLDBBCARDS Vintage Sports Cards that was fair and reasonable in early February, I didn't hesitate to accept the offer and add the card. I previously bought the Earle Averill (#35) card from the same seller, so I like to think this card is now reunited with the Averill card.

Variations Available

1 - 1935 / green back / 1934 statistics / 1935 copyright / W on his sleeve

2 - 1936 / blue back / 1935 statistics / 1935 copyright / No W on his sleeve ✅

The Card / Red Sox Team Set

When National Chicle re-released this card in 1936, it used blue ink, the back reflected Manush's 1935 statistics, and most notably they removed the W from his sleeve to reflect his move to the Red Sox. The tip on the back of the card discusses the importance of communication among fielders whenever there's a fly ball - be it in the infield, outfield or in foul territory. The last line indicates Manush uses "his megaphone voice to direct his teammates" while on the field.

1936 Season

On December 17, 1935, Manush was traded by the Nationals to the Red Sox for Roy Johnson and Carl Reynolds. Manush had a decent year, playing as Boston's fourth outfielder and appearing in 82 games overall. He batted .291 with 15 doubles, no home runs and 45 RBIs as the Red Sox finished in sixth place in the American League. Released by Boston at the end of the season, Manush signed with the Dodgers on December 8, 1936.