Collect The Black Aces
As we continue our Black History Month series on the Black Aces, we now turn our attention to the next class of elite African-American pitchers who carried on the legacy. These dominant arms followed in the footsteps of their predecessors, proving their excellence by reaching the coveted 20-win mark in a single Major League Baseball season.
The Black Aces Pt. 3
1982 Topps #213 Dave Stewart RC
Player info
• reached 20 wins in four seasons
• three-time world series champion
• 1989 All-star
Set info
• 792 base cards
what they’ve said
• A memorable vision from those seasons was Stewart’s ferocious, intimidating glare on the mound, the brim of his cap pulled low over his fiery eyes. Opposing players called it the Death Stare. “The first time I saw it, it really affected me,” said opposing hitter Joe Carter, who had to call time and step out of the batter’s box. “I didn’t want him to throw at my head. It really got to me.” – sabr.org
1985 Topps #620 Dwight Gooden
Player info
• reached 20-plus wins in 1985
• four-time all-star
• two-time world series champion
set info
•792d base cards
What they’ve said
• “Gary Matthews told me, ‘Man, they got a dude over there now, and this cat is unhittable.'” – baseball lifer dusty baker
2002 Bowman Chrome® Draft Refractor #120 Dontrelle Willis ROOKIE /300
Player info
• recorded 20 wins in 2005
• 2003 world series champion
• two-time all-star
set info
• 100 base cards
What they’ve said
• “Dontrelle took the league by storm.” – MLB analyst and former outfielder Doug Glanville
2013 Topps Finest Masterful Moment Gold #MDP David Price /50
Player info
• 2018 world series champion
• five-time all-star
• recorded 20 wins in 2012
set info
• 100 base cards
what they’ve said
• “He’s a great teammate, and he commands a lot of respect in the room. He’s certainly helped us out — not only on the field, which I think he’s performed really well, but things that people don’t see and helping young pitchers become Major League Baseball players.” – dodgers manager dave roberts
1999 Bowman Chrome® Baseball #344 CC Sabathia RC
Player info
• 2009 world series champion
• mlb hall of famer
• recorded 20-plus wins in 2010
set info
• 200 base cards
What they’ve said
• “No player exemplified a Hall-of-Fame player and person more than CC Sabathia. His career on the field speaks for itself, but it’s his career as a teammate that stands out the most. I look forward to welcoming CC to Cooperstown.” – fellow hall of famer Derek Jeter
