1952 Bowman #40 Emory Church

I can't help but think of my Dad every time I add an old Bowman card to my Phillies collection.  Having completed a 1951 Bowman Phillies team set, I've turned my attention to the rest of the Phillies Bowman cards issued between 1948 and 1955.  There's no rush in this pursuit, and each time I've ordered a sampling of newer Phillies cards from Checkoutmycards.com, I'm always sure to add at least one reasonably priced vintage Bowman card.  That's how this 1952 Bowman card of Bubba Church made its way into my collection recently.  My Dad would have approved.

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My Dad also would have been disgusted with the current state of the Phillies.  "Bunch of bums," he'd say, and then he'd facetiously announce that he had decided to "root for the Braves," just to get a rise out of me.

1951 Bowman #149 Emory "Bubba" Church

This is the second of a trio of '51 Bowman Phillies cards received from my Dad for my birthday a few weeks back.

From 1950 until the beginning of the 1952 season, Bubba Church pitched in 71 games for the Phillies, splitting his time as a starter and a reliever. On September 15, 1950, his rookie season was cut prematurely short when a Ted Kluszewski line drive hit Bubba square in the face and landed in right field. The back of this Bowman card makes mention of the injury, "which required an operation," and caused Bubba to miss the 1950 World Series.

He was traded to the Reds in May 1952 for Kent Peterson and Johnny Wyrostek. Bubba played with the Reds for a few seasons (1952-1953) and finished his career with the Chicago Cubs (1953-1955).

Did You Know?: Bubba pitched a one-hitter in 1951 against the Pirates. The Pirates' lone hit came on a bloop single from Ralph Kiner which just eluded the glove of Phillies' first baseman Dick Sisler.