I've got a thing about player's names. I mean, I've written 36 posts on some of greatest names in sports history. I've always been disappointed that although "Matthew" or "Matt" is one of the most common names around there have been no players "Matthew" that have made it to the Hall of Fame. As far as greatness goes, I think my fellow "Matt"s peaked at Matt Williams [whose cards I collect because of it]. Tiger's catcher Matt Nokes certainly had the title of favorite "Matt" from about 1988-1991 and after that it's been Matt Williams ever since.
While flipping through a box of discount vintage the last time the traveling vintage card show stopped in Atlanta, I came across this 1952 Topps card of a player I had never heard of before: Matt Batts. I love those moments when something new and exciting comes into focus in the baseball card game. I've been buying and writing about baseball cards for many years now and it's sometimes easy to feel like you've seen it all before.
Matt. Batts. What a great name. A new project of mine will be to track down all available Matt Batts cards which I find is a surprising amount considering I don't believe I had ever come across one in all my card show box sorting experience.
Plus, learning a little more about his 10-year career in the majors, he looks like a player you would want to root for. In his single season with the St. Louis Browns, he was the catcher for the first black pitcher in the American League, Satchell Paige.
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