81 - Whitey Lockman MGR

About This Manager
Whitey Lockman only managed the Chicago Cubs for parts of three seasons, but he had a career in baseball that spanned more than 59 years.

Lockman started his 15-year playing career with the New York Giants in 1945 at the age of 18.  He hit a home run in his first Major League at bat. During his career, Lockman played in two World Series (losing to the Yankees in 1951 and winning against the Indians in 1954) and was named the starting first baseman in the 1952 All-Star Game. In addition to his time with the New York and San Francisco Giants, Lockman also played with the Cardinals, Orioles, and Reds before playing his final game in 1960.

Immediately after his playing career ended, Lockman started coaching. He joined the Reds coaching staff in 1960 and, then, joined the Giants as a third base coach in 1961. Lockman joined the Cubs in 1965, first, as a minor league manager, then an MLB coach, and later as supervisor of player development.

Lockman succeeded Leo Durocher to manage the Cubs in 1972 and revitalized the team with a 39-26 record to finish the season and jump two places in the standings. However, poor records in 1973 and 1974 cost Lockman his job and he moved back to the front office.

For more information:
Sports Illustrated - May 28, 1973 - First Place Always Rattles A Cub Fan

Lockman served as the Cubs' vice president of player development in his front office return and remained in the role through 1989. Lockman also served in front office roles with the Expos (1990-1992) and Marlins (1993-2001). Lockman retired from baseball in 2001.

Lockman died March 17, 2009 at age 82.

About This Card
In addition to Whitey Lockman, this card also features Hank Aguirre (16-year All-Star pitcher), Ernie Banks (19-year Cubs Hall of Famers), Larry Jansen (9-year All-Star pitcher) and Pete Reiser (10-year All-Star outfielder).

285 - Don Kessinger

About This Player
Don Kessinger played 16 seasons in the Major Leagues and his first 12 with the Chicago Cubs.  Kessinger made his big league debut in 1964.  He established himself quickly as the team's starting shortstop in 1965 and played the first of nine consecutive seasons in which he would share the middle infield tandem with second baseman, Glenn Beckert.  During his tenure with the Cubs, Kessinger earned six All-Star selections, including four in the starting lineup.  Regarded as one of the game's best defensive specialists during his time, Kessinger led the National League in assists three times and received two Gold Glove Awards.  In 1969, he set a Major League record at that time with a streak of 54 consecutive games at shortstop without committing an error.

After the 1975 season, Kessinger was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.  After one-and-a-half seasons with the Cardinals, he was traded again to the Chicago White Sox, with whom he would finish his career.  In 1979, Kessinger was named the White Sox' player-manager and served in this role until his retirement on July 31.

Kessinger's son, Keith, played briefly for the Cincinnati Reds in 1993.

About This Card
Don Kessinger is shown here in his "lefty" pose.  As an accomplished switch-hitter, Kessinger can be seen on Topps cards in both "left" and "righty" poses.  After hitting .201 in 1965, Cubs' manager, Leo Durocher, encouraged Kessinger to become a switch hitter.  His batting average improved greatly and Kessinger soon became the Cubs' lead off hitter in Durocher's lineup.