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Andrew Pakfo
Milwaukee Braves
Outfield
Born: February 25, 1921, Boyceville, WI
Acquired: Purchased by the Chicago Cubs from the Green Bay Blue Sox (Wisconsin State) for $1,000, November 1941
Major League Teams: Chicago Cubs 1943-51; Brooklyn Dodgers 1951-52; Milwaukee Braves 1953-59
Died: October 8, 2013, Bridgman, MI (age 92)
Andy Pafko was a veteran of 17 big league seasons, enjoying four straight All-Star seasons with the Cubs between 1947 and 1950, and playing in four different World Series with the Cubs, Dodgers and Braves. Pafko had his best years with the Cubs and saw his first World Series action with the club in 1945. He batted .300 and averaged 23 home runs and 82 RBIs per season during his four seasons as an All-Star. Pafko drove in at least 100 runs in 1945 and 1948. Dealt to Brooklyn as part of a eight-player trade in June 1951, perhaps Pafko's most memorable moments with the Dodgers were being the left fielder when the Giants' Bobby Thomson (#257) hit his "Shot Heard 'Round the World," and for earning the spot as card #1 in the iconic 1952 Topps set.
After a year and a half with the Dodgers, Pafko was traded to his home-state Braves, where he'd play the remaining seven seasons of his big league career. A fan favorite, he helped guide the Braves to the World Series in 1957 and 1958, with his club winning over the Yankees in seven games in 1957. Pafko batted .285 for his career, with 1,796 hits, 213 home runs and 976 RBIs. He served as a coach for the Braves between 1960 and 1962, and briefly managed in their minor league system. Pafko was among the many inaugural members inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame in 2021.
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| January 27, 2007 - Celebrating the 63rd |
February 7, 2007 in Voorhees, NJ - Card #294
This is one of six cards I purchased at the Echelon Mall Baseball Card show in February 2007, spending $70 total, including $7.50 on this Pafko card. At the time, Doug was a few days away from turning two months old and we had just celebrated my Dad's 63rd birthday a few weeks earlier.
I think my wife Jenna had been out shopping on this day when she texted (or called) me to let me know there was a baseball card show being held at what used to be the Echelon Mall. The former mall has since been converted as part of the Voorhees Town Center.
The Card / Braves Team Set
Pafko was absent from the 1955 Topps set, and this marks his return to the brand after a one year absence. That's likely him sliding head first into home plate, as he wore #48 with the Braves and the number eight is clearly visible on the runner's back. It looks as if the catcher is a Pirate, given the "P" on his hat and dark uniform coloring. The cartoons on the back summarize his career highlights, including his proclivity for power, his successful 1948 season and his role helping the Dodgers win the pennant in 1952.
1956 Season
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First Mainstream Card: 1948-49 Leaf #125
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8): 1951-52, 1954, 1956-60
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2003 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs #RO-AP
123 - Pafko non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 11/1/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
The Trading Card Database
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Order Collected: #227 Russ Meyer - Chicago Cubs / 2nd / 4th Series Checklist
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