Tony Kubek had a lifetime in baseball. Signed as an 18-year old by the Yankees, Kubek reached the big leagues in 1957 at age 21. He earned the 1957 American League Rookie of the Year Award and appeared in the first of his six World Series in his debut year.
Though the shortstop’s career lasted just shy of a decade, it did include three All Star appearances and three World Championships. Upon retirement, Kubek became an announcer, a career he enjoyed for 30 years. His time behind the microphone culminated with being named the recipient of the 2009 Ford C. Frick Award.
In the collection is this questionnaire filled out and signed by Kubek in reference to his final big league at bat. A nine-year playing career — all as a New York Yankee — finished with a homer off of Boston’s Dick Radatz. When asked if he knew it would be the final pitch he’d ever face as a major leaguer, Kubek writes, “I did not. I was told by doctors I had to retire because of a neck injury. I was 29.”
Kubek also details the reaction of teammate Mickey Mantle, “Mickey’s reaction was disbelief. He said, ‘How’d you do that? I can’t hit him with a paddle!'” Though he’d never see another pitch Kubek spent another three decades around the game as an announcer.