1953 Topps Project - Post #23

#64 - Dave Philley - Philadelphia Athletics

Alright, after a few complete duds we finally have a card of someone who actually achieved some level of success playing baseball. Dave Philley's career spans 21 years in the majors (he did miss 3 seasons due to military service), although the latter part of his career consisted largely of pinch-hit appearances.

Dave was regarded as a great outfielder as well, but unfortunately this was primarily in the pre-Gold Glove era. Had they awarded them at the time, it's likely he would've received at least one, as he led A.L. outfielders in assists in 1948, 1950 and 1953.

Philley was definitely a servicable hitter during his early career, but it was his pinch-hitting prowess that allowed him to continue his career into the early 60s. He was successful in each of his last 8 pinch-hit appearances in 1958, as well as his first of 1959, setting a record for most consecutive successful pinch-hit appearances that stands to this day. At 41 years of age, Dave had 24 hits in 72 pinch-hit at bats during his 1961 campaign with the Orioles, both A.L. records.