14. 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez #64 Pop Lloyd (HOF) - SGC FR 1.5 The 85-card Tomas Gutierrez set was the largest Cuban baseball issue of the 1920s and is also one of the most scarce. Very desir- able due largely to the presence of a good number of Negro League players, the card images were printed in brown ink, sometimes with black backs. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, John Henry “Pop” Lloyd is considered the greatest shortstop in Negro Leagues history, and legend has it that no less a player than Babe Ruth considered Lloyd to be the greatest baseball player ever. During his playing days, Lloyd was nicknamed “The Black Wagner,” to which the leg- endary Honus Wagner responded “It’s an honor to be compared to him.” Lloyd posted a lifetime batting average above .337 across 26 seasons, playing well into his 40s with at least 12 teams and man- aging four. Known as a great leader and baseball mind, he became one of the Negro Leagues’ greatest management. Upon his retire- ment, he devoted much of his energy to youth baseball, where his efforts continue to be recognized today, particularly in Atlantic City, where he lived upon his retirement. One of the key cards to this difficult issue, the card has been graded FAIR 1.5 by SGC, visible wear at the top edge with a pronounced crease. Corner rounding is evident, as is surface wear, as is the case with most Cuban cards, which are typically found in collector grades. An outstanding card, one of the most important cards from a very difficult issue. MINIMUM BID: $2,000
15. 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez #62 Cristobal Torriente (HOF RC) - SGC VG 3 Spectacular card of Hall of Famer Cristobal Torriente from this difficult Cuban issue. Owner of a .340 lifetime batting average across his 20-year Negro Leagues career, Torriente won two batting titles in the Cuban winter league, and played a nine-game series against the New York Giants in 1920. During that series, Torriente outhit Babe Ruth, who was play- ing on the Giants’ roster for the series. Torriente was one of the greatest ballplayers to hail from Cuba and was part of the introductory class of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame. One of just six examples of Torriente’s card from the Tomas Gutierrez issue to be graded by SGC, just one specimen has graded higher. Some mild staining, along with corner and surface wear, are responsible for the grade. The card boasts a strong image of the Hall of Famer, one of the rookie cards of the great outfielder. MINIMUM BID: $2,000
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