Today’s Card of the Day celebrates the life and career of a Hall of Fame baseball player. On this date in 1959, the Dodgers held “Roy Campanella Night”. Over 93,000 baseball fans packed the LA Coliseum to watched the Dodgers take on the Yankees in an exhibition game. The Dodgers donated their gate for the game, rumored to be around $60,000, to Campanella to help lessen the impact of the medical bills for their former star. Campanella was a mainstay in the Dodgers lineup prior to a car accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.
Campy remained in the game as he held various roles in the Dodgers organization after his playing career ended. He was elected by into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 and is widely considered one of the greatest catchers to ever play the game.
Campy has a strong following in the hobby and there is an especially high demand on his autographs. A Campanella autograph will set you back at least $200. His vintage cards can be found starting around $25 and his 1959 Topps Symbol of Courage Card (pictures with the post) can be had for as little as $10 on eBay.