R319-Helmar Big League #98 Gabby Street Washington Senators

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About the Player

Gabby Street was known as "Walter Johnson's catcher," yet he gained his greatest acclaim for catching a baseball dropped from the top of the Washington Monument. He started his professional career with Hopkinsville in the Kitty League in 1890, playing for the princely sum of $60 per month. Sold to Terre Haute in the Central League and then to Cincinnati, he made his big league debut in 1904. Street bounced around, going from Cincinnati to the Boston Braves and back to Cincinnati in 1905. The next two seasons he played with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League. In 1908 he was sold to Washington and returned to the major leagues. Street played for Washington just four years, the last two being on a part-time basis. His best batting average during that time was .222. The Big Train, Walter Johnson, credited Street for helping him maintain his concentration. "What a catcher he was," Johnson said, "a big fellow-- a perfect target, a great arm, spry as a cat back of the plate, always talking… full of pep and fight. Gabby was always jabbering and never let a pitcher take his mind off the game. When we got in a tight spot Gabby was right there to talk it over with me. He never let me forget a batter's weakness." The young Johnson won 14 and 13 games in Street's first two seasons, then 25 in each of Street's last two seasons in Washington. While with the Senators, Street settled a bet between two sportsmen by catching a ball tossed from the top of the Washington Monument on the morning of August 21, 1908. (He missed 14 before he caught one). Although reportedly "considerably jarred by the impact," he pocketed a $500 prize and then later that day caught Walter Johnson's 3-1 victory over the Tigers. Street was traded to the New York Highlanders in December 1911 and later returned to the minor leagues. When the United States entered the First World War, Street enlisted, saw action in Europe, and left with the rank of sergeant. He was later known as "Old Sarge."

About the Series

The Helmar R-319 series was originally 180 cards. Then we expanded it to 240. Then 308. Right now it’s complete at 511 cards. The design is based on one of the greatest baseball card sets of all time, the 1933 Goudey set. The 1933 Goudey set has, famously, four Babe Ruths. We have many of the greatest players from Goudey set, and also Babe Didrikson, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Martin Dihigo, many other Cuban and Japanese players, and Negro Leaguers. R-319s have a good amount of text on the reverse. When you’re reading the back of a Helmar R-319 we aim to transport you back in time to a moment in the player’s career. Fleetwood Walker and the color barrier coming down. The great Rube Foster’s breakdown. Swede Risberg being banned from baseball. Given the scope, the expense and the complexity for a small company or artist to put together such a big set of original art, no one else may ever attempt to create a set this ambitious.

Related Cards in the Series

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R319-Helmar Big League, Washington Senators
Card #	Thumbnail Pic	Player Name	Position	Top Auction Price
4		JOHNSON, Walter	Pitching Stance	$ 213.50
29		CRONIN, Joe	Portrait	$ 56.99
98		Street, Gabby	Ready To Catch Ball	$ 22.77
107		Street, Gabby; JOHNSON, Walter;	Standing	$ 95.00
190		GOSLIN, Goose	Bat Over Shoulder	$ 68.78
232		RICE, Sam	Swinging	$ 48.00
252		DELAHANTY, Ed	Portrait	$ 145.05
332		JOHNSON, Walter	Portrait	$ 127.50
336		Ruel, Muddy	With Overcoat	$ 26.55
456		WYNN, Early	Big W on chest	$ 45.50
464		Gandil, Chick	Arms folded	$ 60.79
465		Vernon, Mickey	Batting follow through	$ 67.96

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