The 1940's produced two sets early on with the 1940 & 1941 Play Ball sets. The 1940 Play Ball set had early issue cards of George "Highpocket's Kelly", Harry Helmann, and George Sisler, while the 1941 Play Ball set is highlighted by the icon rookie card of Brooklyn Dodgers shortstop Pee Wee Reese. After the Play Ball issues at the beginning of the decade the was a wait until the 1948 season. Bowman came out with a blast producing monster sets in 1948 & 1949. The '48 set 9 Hall Of Fame rookie cards, including Warren Spahn, Yogi Berra, Bob Feller, and Stan Musial. The 1949 Bowman set featured monster rookie cards matching the '48 set, including; Satchell Paige, Duke Snider, Larry Doby, and Roy Campanella. Sandwiched in between the 1948 - 1949 Bowman sets was a newcomer on the seen in the 1948 Leaf set, highlighted by the Hall of Fame second baseman from the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson.
1940's all decade team
C - Ernie Lombardi (Reds)
1B - Johnny Mize (Giants) 2B - Joe Gordon (Yankees) 3B - Bob Elliott (Pirates) SS - Lou Boudreau (Indians) |
LF - Ted Williams (Red Sox)
CF - Joe DiMaggio (Yankees) RF - Stan Musial (Cardinals) OF - Ralph Kiner (Pirates) |
P - Hal Newhouser (Tigers)
P - Bob Feller (Indians) P - Dizzy Trout (Tigers) P - Mort Cooper (Cardinals) P - Dutch Leonard (Senators) |