Final Card: Al Stanek

Here is the last of 3 cards for Giants' pitcher Al Stanek (#437). It's the same photo used on his rookie card in the 1964 set.

Stanek was signed by the Giants in 1962, and pitched that season for the Springfield (MA) Giants in the Eastern League, compiling a 3-3 record in 12 games (11 starts).

Al spent just 1 season in the minors before making his major-league debut with the Giants in April 1963. He was with the Giants all season, but was used sparingly (April: 1 game, May: 1, Jun: 3, Jul: 2, Aug: 1, Sep: 3), all in relief.

1963 would be Stanek's only taste of the big leagues, as he spent the next 2 1/2 seasons as a starter in triple-A followed by 1 1/2 seasons as a reliever in double-A, retiring after the 1967 season.

Final Card: Gordon Richardson

This is the first and last card for Mets' pitcher Gordon Richardson (#51). Here, Gordie is sporting the New York World's Fair patch on his left shoulder. (Back in the day, I think only the Mets and Twins had shoulder patches on their uniforms.)

Gordie was signed by the Cardinals in 1957, and spent 7 1/2 seasons pitching in their farm system. He was stuck in double-A for 4 seasons (1960-63) despite winning in double figures for 3 of those seasons.

Richardson made his major-league debut on July 26, 1964, pitching a 6-1 complete game victory over the Phillies. He remained with the Cardinals for the rest of the season, fashioning a 4-2 record in 19 games.

After the season he was traded to the Mets (with outfielder Johnny Lewis) for pitcher Tracy Stallard and minor-league infielder Elio Chacon.

Gordie split the '65 and '66 seasons between the Mets and their triple-A team. In 1965, he appeared in 35 games for the Mets (all in relief). After 15 appearances in 1966 (the last on June 5th) he returned to the minors for the rest of the season. It would be his last.