Del Crandall was called up from the minors by the Boston Braves in June of 1949 and quickly proved one of the best catching finds in years. He appeared in 67 games, batted .268 and worked like a veteran receiver. Del Crandall attended Fullerton High School in California and was signed by the Boston Braves. When the team moved to Milwaukee, he helped turn the Braves into a National League powerhouse during the 1950's. He was picked for the NL's All-Star squad seven times and won Gold Gloves in 1958-1960. He averaged almost 20 home runs a year from 1953-1960 and finished with 179 lifetime HR's. Del Crandall won recognition as one of baseball's top catchers and was a team leader in the Milwaukee Braves' World Championship team in 1957 and in 1958 when the Braves won their second straight pennant. Crandall was traded to the Giants in 1964 and later played one season for the Pirates and one for the Indians. Del Crandall career: .254 BA, 1276 hits, 179 D's, 18 T's, 179 HR's along with 657 RBI's. The baseball is signed in blue ink on the "sweet spot".