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Thomas Frank Haller
Los Angeles Dodgers
Catcher
Born: June 23, 1937, Lockport, IL
Signed: Signed by the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent before 1958 season
Major League Teams: San Francisco Giants 1961-1967; Los Angeles Dodgers 1968-1971; Detroit Tigers 1972
World Series Appearances: San Francisco Giants 1962
Died: November 26, 2004, Los Angeles, CA (age 67)
Catcher Tom Haller was a three-time All-Star known for his defensive prowess and his handling of All-Star pitchers on both the Giants and Dodgers. Haller began his career splitting time with Ed Bailey behind the plate, finally getting the chance to start every day when Bailey was dealt to the Braves following the 1963 season. He enjoyed his best seasons in the mid-1960s, making three straight All-Star teams between 1966 and 1968. Haller's power numbers peaked in 1966 when he hit 27 home runs and drove in 67 runs. With several young catchers coming up through the Giants' system and in need of infielders, the Giants traded Haller to the rival Dodgers in February 1968 for infielders Ron Hunt (#664) and Nate Oliver (#354). Haller would enjoy his final All-Star season in 1968 with the Dodgers, batting .285 overall and setting career highs with assists (83) and double plays (23). He spent the final few years of his career as a back-up catcher and pinch-hitter, appearing in his final big league game in 1972 with the Tigers.
Haller had a lifetime .257 average with 134 home runs and 504 RBIs. His fielding percentage of .992 is currently 79th all-time and his total games behind the plate (1,199) is currently 77th all-time. Haller joined the Giants' coaching staff in 1977 and he'd move to their front office between 1980 and 1985 as director of farm operations and later vice president of baseball operations. He briefly served as the general manager of the White Sox in 1986.
Died: November 26, 2004, Los Angeles, CA (age 67)
Catcher Tom Haller was a three-time All-Star known for his defensive prowess and his handling of All-Star pitchers on both the Giants and Dodgers. Haller began his career splitting time with Ed Bailey behind the plate, finally getting the chance to start every day when Bailey was dealt to the Braves following the 1963 season. He enjoyed his best seasons in the mid-1960s, making three straight All-Star teams between 1966 and 1968. Haller's power numbers peaked in 1966 when he hit 27 home runs and drove in 67 runs. With several young catchers coming up through the Giants' system and in need of infielders, the Giants traded Haller to the rival Dodgers in February 1968 for infielders Ron Hunt (#664) and Nate Oliver (#354). Haller would enjoy his final All-Star season in 1968 with the Dodgers, batting .285 overall and setting career highs with assists (83) and double plays (23). He spent the final few years of his career as a back-up catcher and pinch-hitter, appearing in his final big league game in 1972 with the Tigers.
Some text for this post originally appeared on my 1965 Topps blog.
The Card / Dodgers Team Set / Accuracy Index -9
Building the Set / Card #299
December 3, 2023 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
Doug and I returned to The Philly Show in early December, once again held inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. eBay has taken over sponsorship of the show, with the quaint, bubble-lettered Philly Show logo that had been in place since the 1980s replaced with a more modern logo, keeping with the times. I wrote about the show in a post over at The Phillies Room.
December 3, 2023 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
Doug and I returned to The Philly Show in early December, once again held inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. eBay has taken over sponsorship of the show, with the quaint, bubble-lettered Philly Show logo that had been in place since the 1980s replaced with a more modern logo, keeping with the times. I wrote about the show in a post over at The Phillies Room.
Similar to my strategy from March, I wanted to focus on accumulating commons and having found success with Uncle Dick's Cards before, I didn't mess around and headed right for the neon green binders. I pulled 145 cards from the binder containing cards 301 to the end of the set, stopping when I reached 500. This card was the seventh of 145 cards purchased for our set, and after the dealer discount due to my bulk purchase, it cost me a little over $1.25.
The Card / Dodgers Team Set / Accuracy Index -9
Topps went all the way back to a photo taken during 1963 (at the latest) and the same photo used for Haller's 1964 Topps card. The back of the card highlights Haller's solid first year with the Dodgers in 1968, and mentions his brother, Bill Haller, an American League umpire. The two appeared in the same game on July 14, 1972 with Tom catching for the Tigers and Bill working the plate, setting up behind his younger brother.
Accuracy Index: Haller's card scores a rare -9 as he's clearly wearing a Giants uniform (-5) and we've seen the photo before (-4). I didn't dock the card another three points for the logo-less hat, as Haller's hat is turned backwards.
Inserts: Haller is included in the 35 card Topps Deckle Edge insert set and is one of 48 decals in the Topps Decals insert set. He's one of 27 players to appear in both insert sets.
1969 Season
Haller was behind the plate as the Dodgers' regular catcher again for the 1969 season. In 134 games, he batted .263 with six home runs and 39 RBIs. Despite not having one of his top seasons, Haller still earned MVP votes, finishing 29th overall in the National League.
Phillies Connection
Haller and pitcher Don Leshnock were sold by the Tigers to the Phillies on October 25, 1972, with Haller opting to retire rather to join his new team. The hope was the veteran Haller would come to Phillies camp and mentor young catcher Bob Boone. Still under contract with the Phillies for all of the 1973 season, the team finally officially released him on February 14, 1974. Leshnock appeared in 25 games for the Triple-A Eugene Emeralds in 1973, going 4-7 with a 4.75 ERA for the club managed by Jim Bunning (#175).
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1962 Topps #356
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (12): 1962-1973
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1978 TCMA The 1960s I #188
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 80 in the Beckett online database as of 5/20/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
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Haller was behind the plate as the Dodgers' regular catcher again for the 1969 season. In 134 games, he batted .263 with six home runs and 39 RBIs. Despite not having one of his top seasons, Haller still earned MVP votes, finishing 29th overall in the National League.
Phillies Connection
Haller and pitcher Don Leshnock were sold by the Tigers to the Phillies on October 25, 1972, with Haller opting to retire rather to join his new team. The hope was the veteran Haller would come to Phillies camp and mentor young catcher Bob Boone. Still under contract with the Phillies for all of the 1973 season, the team finally officially released him on February 14, 1974. Leshnock appeared in 25 games for the Triple-A Eugene Emeralds in 1973, going 4-7 with a 4.75 ERA for the club managed by Jim Bunning (#175).
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First Mainstream Card: 1962 Topps #356
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (12): 1962-1973
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1978 TCMA The 1960s I #188
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 80 in the Beckett online database as of 5/20/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
Beckett Database / The Trading Card Database
1965 Topps Blog / The Phillies Room
1965 Topps Blog / The Phillies Room
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