Helmar Polar Night #158 Ames, Leon "RED", 17 yrs 2.63 ERA, 184 Wins New York Giants

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About the Player

Red Ames - Leon "Red" Ames started pitching professionally in 1901 with Zanesville, Ohio, then went to Ilion of the New York State League for the 1902-03 seasons. In 1903 with Ilion, Ames went 12-12 with an impressive 221 strikeouts in 229 innings, earning a late-season call-up with the New York Giants. Red made the most of his first opportunity by tossing five hitless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 14, 1903. The umpire called the game due to darkness, giving Ames an auspicious win in his major-league debut. When he pitched a complete-game five-hitter in his next start, the 21-year-old rookie put himself in good position to win a job with the Giants for the 1904 season. "Red" was a spot-starter for the 1904 pennant-winning Giants but enjoyed his most successful season in 1905, posting a nine-game winning streak en route to a 22-8 record with a 2.74 ERA and 198 strikeouts in 262.2 innings. Often plagued by wildness, the right-hander often ranked among the league leaders in walks per nine innings. In 1905 he set a dubious modern record by uncorking 30 wild pitches. In the World Series that year, Red pitched only one inning in relief as McGraw went with Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity, who completely shut down the Philadelphia Athletics. Red Ames' curveball was one of the Deadball Era's most erratic pitches, but despite his frequent bouts of wildness the right-hander managed to hang on for 17 seasons in the National League, compiling a 183-167 record with a 2.63 ERA. Ames had the knack for losing tough, close games, becoming known as the unluckiest pitcher in baseball.

About the Series

The glory of 19th century design is revisited in this series by your friends at Helmar. We've kept the look of the early line drawings but improved them so that the players are recognizable. Yet again, all the artwork is original to Helmar and printed in stunning color. We've chosen a beautiful paper with a soft hand that tested best for the subtle color transitions. Each card is about 3" x 5".

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Helmar Polar Night, New York Giants
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27		Dorgan, Mike	Building in background	$ 24.50
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34		WELCH, Mickey	No cap, ball in hand	$ 179.00
50		O'ROURKE, "Orator" Jim	Bat up, front foot straight	$ 461.00
56		Tiernan, Mike	Bat on shoulder, building	$ 312.00
68		EWING, Buck	Erect, awaiting throw pose	$ 53.70
70		Crane, Cannonball	About to throw, no glove	$ 179.50
80		WARD, John Montgomery	Hands on hips, striped shirt	$ 53.00
92		MATHEWSON, Christy	Ball very high, gray sweater	$ 212.00
106		Wiltse, Hooks	"Tuxedo" logo	$ 43.50
109		YOUNGS, Ross "Pep"	Hit fly ball	$ 228.50
114		HUBBELL, Carl	Red Sox, screwball throw	$ 83.00
120		BRESNAHAN, Roger	Batting pose, visor down	$ 47.00
127		Mays, Carl	Underarm throw in progress	$ 104.48
158		Ames, Red	Pitching follow through	$ 27.00
190		Deasley, Pat	Throwing underhand	$ 29.00
191		Deasley, Pat	Leaning back to throw	$ 36.67
196		EWING, Buck	One foot showing, leaning	$ 53.00
197		EWING, Buck	Bat down, arm hanging	$ 57.67
198		EWING, Buck; Mascot;	Together, mascot on chair	$ 150.50
206		George, Bill	Feet crossed, Bat at side	$ 21.50
214

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