Checklist Complete - 1991 Topps Micro

Micro is the perfect word to describe this Topps set that mimics the regular issue, and regular size, 792-card set. Six checklist cards are in the set, sorted by team name rather than numerically. And then, even the teams are sorted alphabetically, which never made sense to me.

Kind of a senseless and stupid set as they're too tiny to be of any real use. I couldn't even get a good scan on them since the font is so small. Just another Topps gimmick.

You get an idea how small these are when you compare the complete six card checklist set to a single regular sized card.

One Page of Al Wisk

This series will highlight "one page" at a time from my binder of correspondence and autographs from former Angels and Patriots.

Actually two pages today because the return letter was two pages long. "And who exactly is Al Wisk?" you might ask.

  Al Wisk California Angels KMPC Broadcaster 1977-1979

Correspondence received @ December 22, 2004

Mr. Wisk also broadcast for the Dallas Cowboys (1972-1975), Los Angeles Rams (1978-1979) and the Kansas City Royals (1980-1982). 

Mr. Wisk is currently a lawyer here in Texas.

From My Angels Archives - Walter G. Shannon

This letter was given to me a while ago, in a lot of old Angels related stuff, I think by a fellow blogger, but I can't remember who (pretty sure it was not the name blacked out).

This return correspondence, on 1974 Angels letterhead (VERY cool), was written to a fan who apparently was requesting an autograph, but accidentally sent the request to the father of former Cardinal Wally Shannon. At the time, Walter G Shannon (Mar 20, 1907 - July 3, 1994) was the Angels Director of Scouting. 

It's pretty cool that Mr. Shannon would take the time to write, and personally sign, a return letter to the confused fan, and not just toss it all in the waste basket, grumbling that he didn't have time for pesky autograph hounds (Note: WS:jb at the bottom indicates it was typed by someone else, probably Mr. Shannon's secretary).

At any rate, it's very cool to get a non-player autograph of a somewhat behind the scenes, front office guy, although I think Mr. Shannon would have been highly regarded and extremely respected in the industry. Just another part of the overall Angels history.

Interesting tidbits about the Angels Walter Shannon:

He played 6 years in the Minors (1926-1932) mostly as a second baseman.

He was a Cardinals scout under Branch Rickey in the late 50's early 60's, and helped sign Bob Gibson among other eventual Major Leaguers.

He also worked in the Orioles, and Brewers Front Offices, and retired in 1992.

He was the Angels Director of Scouting 1973-1977

 His son Wally Shannon (the target of the autograph request) played for the Cardinals 1959-1960.