I recently acquired a near complete three year run of The Sporting News from the beginning of 1957 through the end of 1959. Since I'll be paging through each issue examining the contents for listings on eBay anyway, I thought it might be nice to preserve my work and use the same information for some pages on this site. Once the issues sell, they're gone forever, but if I put them on the site then they're preserved forever, right?
Since The Sporting News is a weekly publication we're talking about 150 issues or so, which is a tremendous amount of information! I'm going to include no more than 10 issues to a page with a link to the following 10 at the bottom of each page. I'm listing these for sale in chronological order, so unless the issues got shuffled up on me this should work out well where I can create the pages as I list the issues for sale. Each page will also be available directly from the
Sitemap as well.
Why? Well, why not? As I paged through these I mostly copied headlines, notated cartoons and photos, and in many cases just listed a players name when there was a little article about them. This info still provided a trip back in time and gave me a feel for what was going on in baseball in the late 50's. Some of the similarities to today's game are pretty interesting: concern over rising home run totals, Hall of Fame bickering, exorbitant salaries, etc. As a huge baseball fan I found it all pretty interesting, so I'm sure others will like it as well.
January 9, 1957:
Headline "Hank Urges Players to Fight Freeze" refers to story begun below "Present Draft Plan Attacked by Greenberg" Willard Mullin cartoon on front cover Walter O'Mally of the Brooklyn Dodgers warns: "We Could Be Forced to Take Irrevocable Step" as "Brooks Threaten to Go Elsewhere" Yankees payroll expected to top $480,000 for 1957 Photo of Whitey Ford & Yogi Berra outside Yankee Stadium waving their 1957 contracts Hall of Fame article "Feller's Next Stop in Game" with Lou Darvas comic of Bob Feller plus 6 photos of Feller on the same page Hank Greenberg has high hopes for Al Rosen after raise Lou Darvas comic of Al Lopez & Tony Cuccinello Joe DiMaggio on Mickey Mantle Pressure on Don Larsen in '57 after World Series Perfect Game in '56 Cincinnati Reds roster Birdie Tebbetts Karl Spooner Dale Long Fred Haney: "All Crandall has to Do Is Hit .270 and He'll Be Best in NL" about Braves catcher Del Crandall Pete Runnels Joe DeMaestri a Riddle to A's "Modest Mickey Puts Muffler on Own Might" is an article about Mickey Mantle saying Duke Snider having best shot to top Babe Ruth's HR Record An article spreading two full pages (quite a bit of text in this format!) by Hall of Famer Ed Walsh (part 1 of 2) Billy O'DellStan Lopata 2/3 page huge Wilson ad with Nellie FoxSmall photo of Roberto Clemente in article about Puerto Rican League
And in the All-Sports section:
Willard Mullin cartoon on first page of section Buddy Parker "Giant's Gifford No. 1 Pro Gridder of Year: Rushed 819 Yards, Caught 51 Passes and Scored 65 Points" "Giants Take Hide Off Bears to Nail Title" - "47-7 Rout Give New York First NFL Crown Since '38" John Brodie of Stanford Gene Fullmer beats Sugar Ray Robinson Chet Forte
26 pages plus 10 page All-Sports section, 36 pages total.
January 16, 1957
Birdie Tebbetts cartoon by Russ on the front cover "Caoches Vote to Bar Scouts from Schools" on front cover Ton of coverage running from page 3 through 8 on Jackie Robinson Retiring Willard Mullin cartoon with New York Giant on first page of Robinson coverageVic Wertz Al Kaline 2 full pages by Hall of Famer Ed Walsh part 2 of 2 Jack Harshman "O'Malley Peeks at Possible Site for Park in LA - 'Merely Window Shopping' Says Brooks' Boss After Inspecting Chavez Ravine "Alston Must Find New No. 1 Hitter for Big No. 4 Slot" Chet Nichols "Red Sox May Ink Negro in Season or Two" "Great to Be Yankee -- .264 Hitter Martin Ups Moolah Mark" about Billy Martin and other Yankees contracts for '57 Gabe Paul and Cincinnati Reds Pennant Hopes Jim Greengrass Roberto Clemente Sets 23-Game Hit Mark in Puerto Rican League Photo of Mickey Mantle in street clothes throwing out first pitch in Havana
And in the All-Sports section:
"These Hands - Blockades to Buckets" shows three photos of Wilt Chamberlain then of Kansas along with article "Salute for Stilt for Defense Play" Lou Darvas cartoon of Jack Lavelle Don Hennon Harry Gallatin Pete Newell
28 pages plus 8 page All-Sports section, 36 pages total. January 23, 1957
Missing this issue.
January 30, 1957
Lou Darvas cartoon of Cleveland GM and Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg with his "Little Helper" on the cover Also on cover, pitchers angry over the new 20-second rule meant to speed up the game -- with no one on base the pitcher has 20 seconds to deliver the ball to the catcher or risk being called for a ball Headline on page 2: "Call Strikes on Time-Wasting Batters" -- Yogi Duke Snider Frank Lary and brothers Puttsburgh Pirates roster and review Pirate Payroll Up 50 Grand to 7th Jim Davis Robin Roberts pay cut to $45,000 IBM "device" brought into Phillies Office Clem Labine Photo of Mickey Mantle as winner of the Sid Mercer Award "Yanks Handicap '57 Race See Begals As Top Rival" Gene Conley Kerby Farrell "Kuenn Tabs Bengals as Ready to Make Trouble for Yanks Tigers Roster and Review Part 1 of 2 of article about humorous experiences of Cubs Travelling Secretary Bob Lewis "Yogi Sees a Better Season for Mickey" - article also includes a photo of Yogi Berra in street clothes with wife Carmen George Kell Knocks at 2,000 Hit Club's Door Joe DiMaggio's favorite photo - from the 1937 All-Star Game it shows DiMaggio with Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Joe Cronin, Charley Gehringer, Jimmie Foxx and Hank Greenberg -- all Hall of Famers by '57 "Ol Casey Howling --But Confusing-- Hit at Chi Dinner Heavier Mantle Finds $10,000 Belt too Small" includes pic of Mickey Mantle receiving Hickok jeweled belt
And in the All-Sports section:
Large Willard Mullin cartoon of Bill Russell Ned Irish Celtics Hailing Heinsohn as Cinch to Hoist Rookie of Year Honors about Tomy Heinsohn Gary Thompson of Iowa State
34 pages plus 6 page All-Sports section, 40 pages total.
February 6, 1957
Willard Mullin cartoon of Emmett Kelly and the Brooklyn Bum on the front cover Also an article about the Dodgers signing Emmett Kelly Frankie Frisch comes out against training camps as country clubs with rebuttals from Casey Stengel and Terry Moore The new ownership of the Detroit Tigers Bob Cerv one of the reasons Athletics are Stronger Warren Spahn "Scratches Dodgers as Flag Threat to Braves" "80-Grand Stan Aiming at Seventh Title" with photo of Stan Musial signing his 16th Cardinal Contract A full page detailing feud between Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson Tom Brewer Red Sox Roster and Review Tony Kubek Jim Busby "Murphy Levels New Attack on Griffith, Quits Nat Post" Part 2 of 2 of article about humorous incidents in career of Cubs Traveling Secretary Bobby Lewis Stan Lopata Bill Rigney Bob Kuzava "Move By Giants Not Involved in Stock Offering" "Senor Labels Luis Future Leadoff Star" about Luis Aparicio Gus Triandos "Tigers Will Surprise" Yogi Berra Tells 2,050 at Manchester Oklahomans Laud Mantle as Major Leaguer of '56" with photo of Mickey Mantle receiving the Art Griggs Memorial Award "Few Phenoms Able to Make Hop from Class D to Majors"
And in the All-Sports section:
Joe Lapchick on Bill Russell "He Could Make it BIG" Dick Mayer cartoon of Bill Ebben plus accompanying article Hot Rod Hundley Charlie Tyra
34 pages plus 6 page All-Sports section, 40 pages total.
February 13, 1957
Lou Darvas cartoon on front cover "Yankess Peg Rivals Signs, Cerv Reveals" -- Bob Cerv says the Yankees steal signs and "Had Indians Staff Down Pat" Willard Mullin cartoon of Home Run Hitters from history leading to Mickey Mantle and Eddie Mathews Bambino's Records in Danger - Birdie Tebbetts Home Runs and Strikeouts growing together Bob Kury cartoon of newest Hall of Famers Joe McCarthy and Wahoo Sam Crawford along with two full pages of coverage "Players Pension Plan Now Finest Anywhere" -- "Payments Boosted 75% and Fringe Benefits Added "Tax Spread for Player Urged By Lane" includes photo with Ted Williams, Robin Roberts, Mickey Mantle and Stan Musial "Big Money Becomes Peanuts When Stars Shell Out for Taxes" "Dodgers Too Old? 'Might Even Be Better' Scoffs Walt" Alston "Phillies on Prowl for More Sock in Keystone Combo" Bobby Thomson Cleveland Indians Roster and Review Gil McDougald Gets $7,000 pay hike "Trophy Champ New Mantle Title -- He's Far Ahead" with pictures of Mickey Mantle and his various awards Mickey Mantle "Settles for 60 Grand, $27,000 Lift" Johnny Temple and Roy McMillan of the Reds Bob Friend "Don't Short Count Bosox as Bidders Boss Pinky Warns"Ted Williams "Inks 90-Gee Pact, Sets Lofty Targets for '57" Ted Williams "Again Hits Headlines With Frank Replies in Hub -- Denies Plan to Wed, Predicts 25 to 30 Homers 'Or I'll Quit'" Half-page ad for Rawlings Gloves features Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, and Duke Snider
36 pages total.
February 20, 1957
Spectacular Willard Mullin cartoon of Ted Williams on the front cover with article below "Ted Tops All-Time Pay Parade" After Ted Williams gets $100,000 article speculates on a $125,000 player and names Mickey Mantle as possibility "Shifts Spotlight Coaches' Growing Value -- One-Time Pension Jobs Now Filled by Specialized Aids "Majors Put More Mileage in Training Season -- Coast-to-Coast Road Shows Scheduled for Four Teams" "23 Bidders Battle for 6 Open Spots on Redbird Roost" "Ex-Injun Rosen Rated as Comer in Wall St. Game" about Al Rosen Long feature on White Sox pinch-hitter Ron Northey, who operates a toy factory in the off-season "Newest NL Umpire Got Start Through Ad in The Sporting News" is about Ken Burkhart "Tigers Tried for Year to Buy Dittmer" Long 2-page feature on Harry Hooper with headline "Hooper, 69, Tabs Cobb Greatest of All" Ty Cobb "Reveals His Slump Remedy, Gives Other Tips" with three small photos of Cobb demonstrating his bunting technique George Sisler's Sons Allan Worthington Shakeup for Bosox Infield Bill Bruton Milwaukee Braves Roster and Review Bob Darnell "Dodgers to Be Host to Japanese Stars, Pilot at Vero Beach" with small photo of Sataro Suzuki Andy Carey "Must Fight to Hold Third Base Job, Casey Warns" Jim Hegan to be catcher-coach Minnie Minoso takes Cuban Batting Title at .312
40 pages total.
February 27, 1957
"Spring Song" by Willard Mullin cartoon on the front cover "Managers Yelp Foul at 28-Player Rule" is a new cut-down in roster size by April 16 "Training Camp Etiquette: Okay to Chase Autographs, But Watch for Line Drives" "Can't Miss Tags Placed on Many Rookie" article has photos at the top of Eddie Kasko, Tony Kubek, Don Demeter, Haywood Sullivan, and Charlie Beamon "Ditmar Seen as Key Player in Yanks-A's Deal" article also has a history of the two teams many dealings and photos of all of the players involved in this latest swap including Art Ditmar, Bobby Shantz and Irv Noren "Yank-A's Deal to Hurt A.L. at Gate--Comisky" -- "Greenberg Attacks Farm System in Same League" "Dark Repeats as Majors Golf Champion" Haywood Sullivan Jim Busby "Bull-Pen Lineup Among Flock of Haney Problems" "Reds Quietly Confident -- Only Birdie Chirps of Flag" Dick Schofield St. Louis Cardinals Roster and Review Jack Meyer "Bucs Join New Look Trend in Uniforms" with before and after photos of the new Pirates uniforms "Wrigley Opens Coast Door to Majors' Entry" -- "Dodgers' Buy Viewed as Big Wedge in L.A." -- Photo of Wrigley Field in Los Angeles with caption "Will Bums Wing Their Way Here .. to become Angels?" -- "L.A. Territory Rights Rich Prize for Bums" Don Rudolph "Proposed Box Score Revisions Will Short-Change Fans -- Lane" and "Why Not Add Walks, Whiffs to Summary?" are about proposed changes to the standard box scores with opinions from readers as well Harry Carey back from Bavaria Ed Walsh "Isn't Broke, Gets $2,700 Yearly" Rawlings ad featuring Stan Musial
36 pages total.
March 6, 1957
"The Long Haul" cartoon by Willard Mullin on front cover "Greenberg Hails Dodgers Action as Foresighted -- Tribe Boss Sees L.A. Deal as First Step in Majors' Expansion to West Coast" "Experts Vote Shortstops Smartest -- Best on Each Team Named in Secret Poll" "How Good Was Scooter? No. 1 Shortstop -- May Expect Election to Hall of Fame" has a photo of Phil Rizzuto surrounded by other great shortstops Pee Wee Reese, Joe Cronin, Marty Marion, Lou Boudreau Johnny Pesky cartoon by Vic Johnson with article "Pesky Short-Hopping Back to Majors as Pilot - Starts Climb as Skipper in Tiger System" Bill Sarni and career ending heart attack"Comisky Urging Mutual Aid Pact by Yankee Rivals: Should Help Each Other, Says White Sox Veep; Asserts Bomber Dominance Hurts League at Gate" "Gold Dust Team will Get Combined Pay of 498 Gees" is about salaries and pictures Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Stan Musial and others Ray Boone shifts to first base "Yawkey Deal for Bosox 24 Years Ago Recalled" "Casey Tabs Ditmar as Great Prospect; Lucky to Get Him" -- "Kaycee Puzzled By Big Buildup Given Ditmar After Yank Deal: Why Did Other Clubs Offer So Little if Hurler is So Valuable, A's Wondering" Red Sox Reveal Operation on Mel Parnell's Arm "Improved Pension Plan to Be Outlined at Big Time Camps" "Brooks Plan Trip to Los Angeles Next Spring" -- "Coasters Still Buzzing Over Dodgers' Deal -- Shift of Franchise Unlikely Before '60, But O'Malley Shows He's Not Bluffing" "Three Cities Seek Giants, says Horace" Stoneham Dick Donovan Gary Geiger George Sisler "Illness Throws Pall Over Pirates: Thomas, Virdon, Clemente All benefited from tips" Brooklyn Dodgers Roster and Review Sal Maglie Rawlings ad featuring Herb Score Moe Drabowsky Lou Skizas Doesn't Fear Jinx
40 pages total.
March 13, 1957
"Dixie Delusions" cartoon by Lou Darvas on the front cover Bob Feller wants baseball to attract more youths Casey Stengel's "Commandments Grow -- Midnight Curfew Now No. 7 -- Bulletin Board Lists Rules at Yankee Camp" Gil Hodges cartoon by Lou Darvas with article "Gil's Capable Hands Make Any Job Easy" "Yankee Swaps Bonanzas to Other Clubs Too -- Many One-Time Bombers Still Making Big Noises Around Major Wheel" with small photos of Sherm Lollar, Clint Courtney, Jackie Jensen, Lew Burdette, and Gus Triandos "Ol Perfessor Maps Rugged Slate for Yogi -- Casey Says There'll Be No Letup for Berra; 'I'm Out to Win Another Pennant'" "Fledgling Pilots Making Feathers Fly" with photo and article for each of the new managers Jack Tighe, Kerby Farrell, and Bob Scheffing Camilo Pascual Loses 18 and gets $1,000 Raise "Alston Measures Drysdale as Brooklyn Starter -- Six foot Six Youngster Working on Screwball as Another Pitch to Go With His Good Fast One" with small photo of Don Drysdale Don Newcombe Frank Thomas Dale Long Juan Pizarro Kansas City A's Roster and Review Ted Kluszewski Bubba Phillips Ed Bouchee "Ted Swinging for M V Prize? He Grunts as Scribes Guess -- Working Hard to Get Into Shape, Predicts He'll Hit At Least .325" with photo of Ted Williams "Coast Okays Brooklyn as Angel Owner -- Vote Unanimous Approval; Plans Started on Pacific Title Series with Japan" -- "Envoys from L.A. Dangle Lure of 60,000 Seat Park for Bums" "$50,000 Sought in Frisco for Stadium Study" Rawlings Ad featuring Ken BoyerDeacon Jones .409 Led Minors for '56 "Fear Strikes Out Best Hollywood Job on Game" with photos of actor Anthony Perkins and Jimmy Piersall
40 pages total.
March 20, 1957
"Daffy Don-Dilly" cartoon by Lou Darvas with Walter Alston calling out "Don" to his 6 players so-named including Drysdale and Zimmer "A's Boss Raps Critics of His Deals: Yank Farm Talk Rouses Johnson Ire" "Coast Major Ball Cinch--Del Webb" in which Webb is quoted as saying "Los Angeles and San Francisco are entitled to major league ball" Hal Schumacher now a bat salesman "Rookie Awards Prove Stardom Tickets" article with cartoons including Willie Mays, Richie Ashburn, Jackie Robinson, Herb Score, Minnie Minoso, Luis Aparicio and on the next page Frank Robinson and Don Newcombe The Boston Red Sox Sullivan battery of Haywood and Frank "L.A. in 'Full Speed' Drive for Stadium: Chavez Ravine Site Chosen" Billy Consolo "Groomed as 8th Red Sox Starting Shortstop in 8 Seasons" Joe Cunningham Jack Bowen Jim Lemon Philadelphia Phillies roster and review Mickey Mantle "Won't Predict 60 HRs; Mickey Would Be Happy With 55" article and photo with Casey Stengel is shown below Moose Skowron shelved by thumb injury Gus Triandos and Bob Nieman Bill Virdon Full-page displaying the 1956 Louisville Slugger Silver Bat Awards with Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle at the top of the page "Connie Mack Room in New Hotel Resounds with Tales of Old A's" Wes Covington and Felix Mantilla Plus Regular Columns, Minor League Reports, Exhibition Game Boxscores, and more.
40 pages total.
