This second grouping of new art for the R319-Helmar series is also exciting:
Travis “Stonewall” Jackson has yet to appear in the series, so this portrait is overdue. Of course, Travis is one of those Hall of Famers that tends to get overlooked. He’s shown in his New York Giant uniform, the only big league team that he ever played with. Jackson was a pretty good hitter, batting .291 over the course of his career. It was as a fielder and team leader, though, that held his true value. I find it interesting that he commanded infields that included Bill Terry, Fred Lindstrom, George Kelly, Frank Frisch and Rogers Hornsby, each of which went to the Hall long before Jackson. Yet all these great batsmen depended upon Jackson’s glove and brain on a daily basis. Terry recognized this as much as anyone did, and it was at his prodding that Jackson finally reached the Hall. Welcome to the series, Travis.
Another New York Giant infielder, though of another era, also makes his first appearance in the R319-Helmar series. Davey Williams, an able second baseman from 1949-55, will be a high numbered card. Williams was suggested by longtime hobbyist and author C. Paul Rogers. Williams batted for a high mark of .297 during the storied 1953 season and I’m thrilled to have him join our series.
Helmar Sports Cards and Baseball History 