A New Look at Some “Older” A’s (Kansas City, that is)

As mentioned previously here at MLB Memories, a special reunion of the Kansas City Athletics major league alumni was held in Kansas City at the end of July, 2011. The sponsoring group, the Kansas City Baseball Historical Society, maintains a beautiful collection of memorabilia, uniforms, and more that is currently open to the pubic at no charge. If you are in downtown KC, it is definitely worth the trip!

Our last little collection of photos featured a few of the well-known Athletics doing some autograph signing. However, it needs to be noted that ALL the former players present were gracious and giving with their signatures. And, quite honestly, the act of writing was done with some difficulty by a few! But they were so glad to meet the fans and to remember the days between the white lines in those summers past.

The men were, to a man, a joy to meet. And if you collect baseball cards from those vintage years, you might enjoy seeing what some of those old heroes of the horsehide look like today. We are glad to present some pictures of former Athletics like George Alusik, Jim Gosger, Ray Herbert, Phil Roof, Rollie Sheldon, Jim Small and Ken Suarez. Also, an obvious “friend” and favorite of all the players, NFL Hall of Famer George Toma, was at the event. His presence prompted flashy second baseman Dick Green to acknowledge that Toma was the reason he was able to stay in the big leagues so long…the KC field was so perfect that his fielding was easy! Somehow, we believe there was more to it than that.

Enjoy the pictures.