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David Clifford Wickersham
Kansas City Royals
Pitcher
Born: September 27, 1935, Erie, PA
Signed: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent before 1955 season
Major League Teams: Kansas City Athletics 1960-63; Detroit Tigers 1964-67; Pittsburgh Pirates 1968; Kansas City Royals 1969
Died: June 18, 2022, Overland Park, KS (age 86)
Dave Wickersham began his career with the Athletics as a reliever, before converting to a starting pitcher full-time in 1963. He went 12-15 that season and was traded in November to the Tigers in the deal that sent Rocky Colavito to Kansas City. Wickersham enjoyed a career year in 1964, going 19-12 with a 3.44 ERA over 40 appearances with the Tigers. He set career highs in just about every pitching category, including wins, complete games (11), innings pitched (254) and strikeouts (164). He faltered a bit in 1965 and was the team's fourth starter behind Mickey Lolich (#270), Denny McLain (#150) and Hank Aguirre (#94). Working mostly out of the bullpen later in his career, he'd make at least 30 appearances in 1966 and 1967 with the Tigers and in 1969 with the expansion Royals. He'd retire with a career record of 68-57 over 283 big league games with a 3.66 ERA.
Wickersham is one of four players, along with Aurelio Monteagudo, Moe Drabowsky (#508) and Ken Sanders to play for both the Kansas City Athletics and Royals. He's also one of four players to have his entire career span exactly each of the 10 seasons during the decade of the 1960s, along with Julio Gotay, Phil Ortega (#406) and Charley Smith (#538).
Some text for this post originally appeared on my 1965 Topps blog.
Building the Set / Card #533
December 15, 2024 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
On Sunday, December 15th, Doug and I attended the latest Philly Show, spaciously spread out inside Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. I wrote a full show report over at The Phillies Room, including some thoughts on attending the show with our oldest son, who first graced the Philly Show floors back in 2012.
The Card / Royals Team Set / Accuracy Index +10
1969 Season
Wickersham was one of the first players added by the expansion Royals, as his contract was purchased from the Pirates on October 21, 1968. The veteran showed no signs of slowing down early in the season, relieving in 34 games and going 2-3 with a 3.96 ERA in 50 innings pitched. For some reason though, his last appearance in the majors was on July 26th, and it seems as if he was demoted to Triple-A Omaha. With Omaha, Wickersham appeared in 10 games, his final action in professional baseball. The Royals traded him to the Braves on October 21st for Ron Tompkins, but he'd not pitch at all in 1970.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1961 Topps #381
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (9): 1961-69
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1978 TCMA The 1960s I #195
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 43 in the Beckett online database as of 7/12/25.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / Wikipedia
December 15, 2024 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
On Sunday, December 15th, Doug and I attended the latest Philly Show, spaciously spread out inside Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. I wrote a full show report over at The Phillies Room, including some thoughts on attending the show with our oldest son, who first graced the Philly Show floors back in 2012.
Having had success the prior two shows at Uncle Dick's Cards with his well-organized, neon common binders, I opted to pull up a chair once again at the friendly dealer's array of tables. The aim was simple: Clear out Uncle Dick's 1969 Topps commons, starting off where I had left off the year before with card #501 and going through the end of the set, card #664. In less than 25 minutes, I completed my quest, and this is the 89th of 98 commons pulled from the binder. After a generous dealer discount due to my bulk purchase, this card cost me less than $1.50.
The Card / Royals Team Set / Accuracy Index +10
Wickersham looks to be absolutely thrilled to be a member of the Royals in this photo, taken during the team's spring training in 1969. The write-up on the back of the card reminds collectors that Wickersham had pitched in Kansas City before, and that he was originally signed by the great Branch Rickey.
Accuracy Index: Wickersham's card earns a +10 for an accurate expansion uniform appearance.
1969 Season
Wickersham was one of the first players added by the expansion Royals, as his contract was purchased from the Pirates on October 21, 1968. The veteran showed no signs of slowing down early in the season, relieving in 34 games and going 2-3 with a 3.96 ERA in 50 innings pitched. For some reason though, his last appearance in the majors was on July 26th, and it seems as if he was demoted to Triple-A Omaha. With Omaha, Wickersham appeared in 10 games, his final action in professional baseball. The Royals traded him to the Braves on October 21st for Ron Tompkins, but he'd not pitch at all in 1970.
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First Mainstream Card: 1961 Topps #381
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (9): 1961-69
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1978 TCMA The 1960s I #195
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 43 in the Beckett online database as of 7/12/25.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / Wikipedia
Beckett Database / The Trading Card Database
1965 Topps Blog
1965 Topps Blog
#646 Expos Rookie Stars / #648 Bobby Wine - Montreal Expos
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