Sunday, April 16, 2017

1983 Galasso 1969 Seattle Pilots Set


Renata Galasso of  Brooklyn, New York owned one of the largest sportscard mail order companies of the 1970s and early 1980s. In addition to selling massive quantities of cards from just about any manufacturer, the Galasso family also produced several oddball baseball sets themselves. The most notable release by the Galassos is probably a black and white set of 270 retired baseball stars, released in six series of 45 cards each from 1977 through 1984. Smaller sets highlighting the '62 Mets, Reggie Jackson, Dwight Gooden and the '61 Yankees were a few other examples released during the early to mid-1980s.

Another small Galasso set, released in 1983, was a 43-card effort detailing the 1969 Seattle Pilots. Most baseball fans know that the Pilots only lasted one MLB season, but interestingly enough, the team existed for two spring trainings. Everyone from Manager Joe Schultz to pitcher Bill Edgerton (who pitched a mere four innings for the club) can be found in the set, pictured in living color and wearing a Pilots uniform. 


The cards are the standard size of 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches, and are numbered from 1 to 43. Backs feature a short biography paragraph and a stat line for the 1969 season. Similar to other Galasso releases, the cards were sold through the mail in complete set form only. For a few extra dollars, collectors could obtain a set featuring an authentic signature from pitcher Jim Bouton. The set in our collection has the Bouton autograph, as well as the certificate of authenticity that shipped with the set. 

As should be expected, the Pilots didn't fare very well as an expansion team. Winning 64 games while dropping 98, the club lacked any semblance of a major star. Third baseman Tommy Harper was probably the best player on the roster, leading the team in games played (148), plate appearances (639), at bats (537), hits (126), walks (95) and stolen bases (73). Though he appeared in just 123 games, outfielder Tommy Davis led the club with 29 doubles and 80 RBIs. Workhorse pitcher Gene Brabender led the Pilots with 13 wins, 202.1 innings pitched, 139 strikeouts and 7 complete games, but also suffered a team-leading 14 losses. 

Not everyone cares about collecting sets issued years after the fact (fourteen years, in this case). In all fairness, these cards have a beautiful design, feature rare color photos and just kinda have that "cool factor" about them. An unsigned set today should set you back around ten dollars, while one with a signed Bouton should cost around $20 to $25.

Random Fact: There's a bar just outside the campus of Eastern Illinois University named "Marty's", in honor of Pilots pitcher Marty Pattin.


1. Jim Bouton, Pitcher
2. Joe Schultz, Manager
3. Bill Edgerton, Pitcher
4. Gary Timberlake, Pitcher
5. Dick Baney, Pitcher
6. Mike Marshall, Pitcher
7. Jim Gosger, Outfield
8. Mike Hegan, First Base
9. Steve Hovley, Outfield
10. Don Mincher, First Base
 11. Miguel Fuentes, Pitcher
12. Charlie Bates, Pitcher
13. John O'Donoghoe, Pitcher
14. Tommy Davis, Outfield
15. Jerry McNertney, Catcher
16. Rich Rollins, Third Base
17. Fred Talbot, Pitcher
18. John Gelnar, Pitcher
19. Bob Locker, Pitcher
20. Frank Crosetti, Coach
21. Sal Maglie, Coach
22. Sibby Sisti, Coach
23. Ron Plaza, Coach
24. Federico Valazquez, Catcher
25. Diego Segui, Pitcher
26. Steve Barber, Pitcher
27. Jack Aker, Pitcher
28. Marty Pattin, Pitcher
29. Ray Oyler, Infield
30. Danny Walton, Outfield
31. Merritt Ranew, Catcher
32. John Donaldson, Infield
33. Greg Goosen, First Base
34. Gary Bell, Pitcher
35. Jim Pagliaroni, Catcher
36. Mike Ferraro, Third Base
37. Tommy Harper, Outfield
38. John Morris, Pitcher
39. Larry Haney, Catcher
40. Ron Clark, Infield
41. Steve Whitaker, Outfield
42. Wayne Comer, Outfield
43. Gene Barbender, Pitcher


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