1955 Bowman: #127 Hank Majeski

Henry Majeski / Cleveland Indians / Infield
Bats: Right Throws: Right Height: 5'9" Weight: 174
Born: December 13, 1916, Staten Island, NY
Acquired: Obtained by the Chicago Cubs from the Eau Claire Bears (Northern League) as part of a minor league working agreement, before 1936 season
As a Player: Boston Bees 1939-40; Boston Braves 1941; New York Yankees 1946; Philadelphia Athletics 1946-49; Chicago White Sox 1950-51; Philadelphia Athletics 1951-52; Cleveland Indians 1952-55; Baltimore Orioles 1955
World Series Appearances: Cleveland Indians 1954
Died: August 9, 1991, Staten Island, NY (74)

One of the finest fielding third baseman of his era, Hank Majeski played in parts of 13 big league seasons, mostly with the Athletics and Indians. Originally a second baseman, Majeski was dealt to the Boston Bees in late 1938, and he'd make his big league debut in May 1939, after Bees' manager Casey Stengel moved him over to third base. He'd appear sparingly for Boston over the next few seasons. Acquired by the Yankees in 1941, Majeski missed three full season while serving during World War II. He'd appear in eight games with the Yankees upon his return, but had his contract sold to the Athletics, where he'd enjoy the best stretch of his career. He set a then single-season record for third baseman with a .988 fielding percentage in 1947, committing only five errors in 428 chances. Majeski's career year came in 1948 when he batted .310 with 12 home runs and 120 RBIs, all career bests, while earning MVP votes.

Majeski was acquired by the Indians in June 1952, and he'd settle into back-up infielder role, spelling Al Rosen at third base and Bobby Avila (#19) at second base. In his only postseason action, Majeski hit a pinch-three-run home run in Game 4 of the 1954 World Series, lost by the Indians to the Giants in four games. He retired following the 1955 season with a lifetime .279 average, 57 home runs and 501 RBIs, and his lifetime .968 fielding percentage at third base is currently 23rd all-time. Following his playing days, Majeski would return to baseball occasionally, serving as a minor league coach in the Indians and Yankees organizations, and also scouting for several teams.

1955 Season / Cleveland Indians / Baltimore Orioles

In a combined 52 games with the Indians and Orioles, Majeski batted .180 (16 for 89) with three doubles, a pair of home runs and eight RBIs. From his SABR biography, written by Mark Hodermarsky:

Majeski was hitting only .188 for the Indians in his first 36 games on 1955, and was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on June 27. After about a month, and only 41 at-bats, the Orioles released him, and 38-year-old Majeski's playing career was over.

Building the Set / Card #6

Summer of 1983 or 1984 in Millville, NJ / Original 17 from the Magic Box

Last fully retold with the Al Dark (#2) post, this Majeski card was one of the 17 cards from the 1955 Bowman set contained within the Magic Box.

The Card / Bowman Exclusive / Last Card / My Biggest Thrill on Back / Indians Team Set

This is Majeski's last contemporaneous baseball card from his playing days, and he was exclusive to Bowman, or omitted by Topps from their checklist, in 1955. His home run from the 1954 World Series is recounted as his "Biggest Thrill in Baseball" on the back of the card.

I was unfamiliar with the phrase "did not play a 'Merriwell' part" so I looked it up. Frank Meriwell was the fictional hero of a hugely popular series of dime novels beginning in 1896, with Merriwell known for pulling off larger than life, incredibly dramatic and spectacular game-winning feats in athletic events. Majeski is acknowledging his home run, in which his team was ultimately swept in the World Series, didn't do anything to turn the tide in the Indians' favor and therefore wasn't close to being a "Merriwell" event. And now you know.