The Beauty and Makeup of the 1934 Goudey Baseball Card Set

The 1934 Goudey set included 96 major league players depicted on the cards. There is one card for each player except cards 37 and 61, which picture Lou Gehrig, the principal spokesman for the set and President of the Knot Hole Club. On the bottom front of each card from 1 through 79, Gehrig's face appears with a saying "Lou Gehrig says." The back or reverse of the card purports to quote Gehrig and ends with Gehrig's facsimile signature. Gehrig's signature cards include both National and American league players. From card 80 through 91, Chuck Klein is pictured on the front with his quotes on the reverse. All of the Klein cards are National league players. (two Braves, two Cardinals, two Reds, one Pirate, two Phillies, one Giant, one Dodger and one Cub). Gehrig's quote is on Klein's card #10 and Gehrig quotes himself on his two cards.

All of the major league teams are represented as follows:

There are various silhouette baseball action backgrounds with same backgrounds:

The remaining cards have one-of-a-kind silhouette backgrounds.

There are two choices of photos of the players that appear on each card – a portrait or an action pose. The background colors are yellow, red, blue, light blue, green, purple (rare) and some backgrounds that appear blue/green. An inexact silkscreen process was used to manufacture the cards accounting for the various background color variations. However, the principal colors are red, yellow, blue and green.

The chart below uses the following symbols: "Y" is yellow, "R" is red, "B" is blue, "P" is purple, "L/B" is light blue and "G" is green, "B/G" is blue green, "A" is an action pose, "B" is portrait pose. Colors may vary on other cards produced in the 1934 Goudey set of the same player.

The 1934 Goudey set is one of the premier editions from the Goudey Gum Company. Nineteen players depicted entered the Baseball Hall of Fame. Others had credible major league careers and some played briefly and were never heard from again. Here are some interesting anecdotes about those players:

Jim Foxx (H.O.F) Foxx had a serious alcohol problem, he was destitute and suffered from heart disease. He died July 21, 1967 when he choked to death on a piece of meat.

Mickey Cochrane (H.O.F.) Cochrane had a magnificent baseball career cut short when Bump Hadley of the Yankees pitched a ball that fractured Cochrane's skull in three places, ending his career. Cochrane's only son died in World War II. After operating a Wyoming dude ranch he returned to baseball as the Tigers' Vice-President until his death.

Dizzy Dean (H.O.F.) Nicknamed Dizzy because of his eccentric personality. Dean was a member of the Cardinal Gas House gang. His career effectiveness diminished when Earl Averill, in the 1937 All Star game, hit a line drive that smacked into Dean's big toe. Later, Dean and Pee Wee Reese broadcasted on television. Dean received hundreds of letters from mothers to quit using the word "ain't."

Chuck Klein (H.O.F.) In 1930, Klein won the Triple Crown playing for the Phillies. After retirement in 1944, he operated a bar. He was an alcoholic and he ended his life as a semi-invalid, dying in 1958 from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Paul Waner (H.O.F.) Waner was a heavy drinker and he proclaimed that when he drank he hit better. In 1938, he agreed to quit drinking for the season. That was the only year he hit below 300. He played for the Pirates.

Carl Hubbell (H.O.F.) In the 1934 All Star game Hubbell, a New York Giant, struck out Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons and Cronin in order. After his successful career, he scouted for the Giants.

Frankie Frisch (H.O.F.) was the son of a wealthy linen manufacturer. He was named the Fordham Flash. He was a college athlete and an accomplished football player for Fordham University. He managed in the majors and later became a radio announcer. When on the Hall of Fame selection committee, he is accused of manipulating his Giant teammates into the Hall of Fame.

Ernie Lombardi (H.O.F.) After his career, Lombardi attempted suicide. He was depressed because he was not enshrined in the Hall of Fame. It is thought that Ford Frick kept Lombardi out of the Hall of Fame over a dispute. Lombardi worked as a gas station attendant until his death in 1977. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. He instructed his family that if he was inducted, he did not want his family to attend. They did not.

Arky Vaughn (H.O.F.) After a great career with the Pirates, Vaughn retired. He drowned after a sudden storm while on a fishing trip in 1952.

Chuck Hafey (H.O.F.) A sinus condition caused Hafey's retirement after the 1933 season. Hafey is the first ballplayer elected to the Hall of Fame who wore glasses. Hafey, during retirement, raised sheep and cattle. He died from emphysema and a serious stroke.

Lou Gehrig (H.O.F.) The Iron Horse of the Yankees died from what is now called Lou Gehrig's disease. The Yankees sadly did not offer Gehrig a position after Gehrig could not play. Major LaGuardia hired Gehrig as a parole commissioner. Gehrig inspired a parolee who became a world-boxing champion. His name was Rocky Graziano.

Hank Greenberg (H.O.F.) Greenberg was a Detroit Tiger star who was traded to the Pirates when a Detroit owner saw Greenberg in a Yankee uniform during the war. Greenberg married and was divorced from Carol Gimbal the department store heiress. Greenberg's son Steve was Assistant Commissioner of baseball.

Mryil Hoag wore a size 4 on his right foot and a size 4 ½ on his left foot. Red Rolfe became the Athlete Director at Dartmouth College. John Stone's career ended when he contracted tuberculosis. Jim Mooney's last year in the majors was 1934. He had control problems. Adam Comorosky learned baseball at all positions at the Wyoming Seminary. Bill Hallahan was called "Wild Bill" due to control problems. He played in four World Series. Paul Derringer pitched in four World Series.

Eddie Durham was nicknamed "Bull" after Bull Durham tobacco. He played in the majors only in 1934. Pinky Higgins was given his name as a "little kid" in Red Oak, Texas. He played football and baseball at Texas University. Joe Vosnik, after a credible major league career, worked as a department store salesman. He died at age 52 from lung cancer. Marty McManos, after a distinguished career, died of cancer in 1966 while employed as a Chicago hotel detective. George Darrow pitched in 1934. He died at 80 in Sun City, Arizona. Lloyd Johnson pitched one inning in 1934. Charlie Grimm was a great player, a good manager and he had a great reputation as a playboy. Tony Piet ran a successful Pontiac agency in Chicago. Ben Chapman is best remembered for his racist remarks towards Jackie Robinson. Will Kamm was known to be very quiet and shy. Alvin Crowder struck out Ty Cobb three times in one game. Shanty Hogan had a booming voice and enormous eating habits causing weight problems.

Roger Cramer was called "Doc" because he spent time with a friend who was a physician. He coached the Tigers in 1948. Julius Solters eventually lost his eyesight. John Allen had a mean disposition and was continually accused of altering the baseball. Tom Bridges retired, became a tire salesman in Detroit and eventually graduated from the University of Tennessee. Rip Collins loved to sing along with Dizzy Dean, Dazzy Vance and Pepper Martin. In 1962, he was one of the ten coaches that managed the Cubs. Herman Bell won two games in one day. He pitched for the 1933 World Champion Giants. Bill Werber graduated from Duke University and his hobby was collecting hotel soap. Steve Larkin played in two major league games in 1934. John Frederick hit a record 6 pinch hit home runs in 1932. Homer Peel hit into three triple plays in his career.

The John Frederick card was the last card I purchased to complete the 1934 Goudey set, which is a PSA 8 or better registered set, appearing in the PSA Set Registry. The set is one of my favorites.

To view 1934 Goudey sets in the PSA Set Registry, click here.