I know it’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but when I saw on the table I had to have it! It was the 1951 Bowman Roberto Avila card, number 188. A number of years ago, I think at the Long Beach SABR convention, there was a guy at a table selling cards. I made note of the Avila card, sitting there with prominent colors of red, white and blue. Not being a Cleveland Indians fan, but more a fan of the Latino pioneer, who I have studied for quite some time.
I liked the old-style painting presentation, versus the usual photo one would see in later years. It was colorful with the Indian mascot pictured almost in the center of the card. I wondered if that’s how the Vera Cruz, Mexico-native really looked at that time. At 24 years of age in 1951, the painting on the card made him look more like a 12 year old!
According to the Official Baseball Card Price Guide – 1990 Collector’s Edition, the 1951 Bowman series was a 324-card set, the company’s largest issue up to that date. While the cards of this set had typically measured 2 1/16” by 3 1/8”, my Avila appears as only 2” by 3 1/8”. As you can see, it’s not centered and probably cut. But still, it’s kinda cool to me.
The back of the card, grayish in appearance with red and blue print, reading:
“The 1950 season was Roberto’s third in organized baseball. He appeared in 80 games for the Indians, getting 60 hits and driving in 21 runs. His batting average was .299. Starting with Baltimore, International League, in 1948, he got into 56 games batting .220. With the Indians, 1949, he was only in 31 games. His average fell to .214. But in 1950, with added playing chances, he proved able to hit.”
It’s a nice narrative of his past seasons. You might not get such commentary with the usual bland stats. The other thing of note is that Bowman refers to him as “Roberto” versus “Bobby”. I’ve written on the ridiculousness of Americanizing Latino player names in previous postings. Topps has been guilty of this for years during this era. Though, in doing a quick search of the listings in other years, Bowman calls him “Bob” 1954 and “Bobby” in 1955! Grrr!!
Moving on, the website PSAcard.com provides a Sports Market Report (SRM) Price Guide with value and card condition. The prices range from $12 for excellent condition to $350 for mint condition. Since my guy here is not centered, but has sharp corners and a fairly clear picture, I’m guessing it’s in the $12 range. Pretty much what I paid for it several years ago. I’m not grousing, but I do find it interesting. It’s the intrinsic value that matters most to me. And with this card, there’s a story of a Latino pioneer to tell.
SABR's Baseball Cards Research Committee 
Wonderful card. I love the football clock at-I assume-Cleveland Stadium. The need to anglicize names so white bread Americans wouldn’t be forced to engage with another culture is truly disgusting. Were American players given the Spanish versions of their names in winter ball?
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