The Golden Age of Baseball Cards™
...its influence on society and the game
Baseball Card Showcase
Topps Baseball Cards from the Golden AgeKarl SpoonerFebruary 17, 2011
On September 22, 1954, Karl Spooner made his Major League debut shutting out the New York Giants who would ultimately become the World Series Winners that year. The 23 year old left-hander with a blazing fastball struck out 15 Giants to set the strikeout record for a major league pitching debut. J.R. Richard equaled a few years later. Another notable accomplishment was that he struck out the first 6 batters he faced as a major leaguer, a record at the time. In his next start, Spooner shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out 12, to set the record of 27 strikeouts by a pitcher in his first two games. He gave up only 7 hits in the two complete game shutouts. Roy Campanella proclaimed him the greatest young pitcher he had ever seen.
Two other pitchers have bested Spooner for most strikeouts to start a game in their first appearance. Sammy Stewart did it in 1978 and Steven Strasburg did it in 2010. Stewart had a very good ten year career. Hopefully, Strasburg is not headed in the same direction as Spooner.
You can check out Spooner's stats at Baseball-Reference.com.
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I have had this card of Karl Spooner since I was eight years old
and based only on the look of it I have always felt that Spooner
should be a star. He also had a cool name. He also might have
been one of the all time greats, but...
Early in 1954 Spooner hurt his knee playing pepper. The sore
knee forced him to change his pitching motion, which led to
better control. After his glorious start in 1954, he had
knee surgery.
Following surgery, he pitched well in 1955 as both a starter and
reliever. He finished the season with an 8- 6 record and 3.65
ERA. He would start game six of the World Series, since