5.10.2011

1960 Topps
Jim Ray Smith

Sometimes all you need to know about a poor old football card is what's written on its back:

"Jim helps clear the path for Jimmy Brown when the fullback plunges into the line. He can handle the biggest and roughest of the N.F.L. giant linemen. Jim has surprising speed for a fellow of his tonnage."

Enough said.

5.09.2011

1958 Topps
Les Richter

Les Richter was the reason I started this blog.

When the latest class of Hall of Famers came out in February, one of the names on the list was that of Les Richter. And the first words out of my mouth was, "Who?"

I had no idea who the man was and it was a shame. So I looked him up and found he was not only a future Hall of Famer but notable in the world of auto racing.

Richter played in eight Pro Bowls and even served a stint in the army before starting his second career serving as head of operations for NASCAR.