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Known for his time in New York, Allie Reynolds started his career in Cleveland. While with the Indians he pitched in 139 games, starting 100 and finishing 27. Early evidence of his versatility is demonstrated by his 41 complete games, 9 shutouts and 8 saves. Though the game wasn’t played because of World War II, Reynold made the All Star team in 1945

The 1946 trade straight up for eventual Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Gordon changed Reynolds life. In his first six years with the Yankees Reynolds won at least 16 games each season. Overall he was the pitcher of record in 131 wins for New York.

In Reynolds’ first season in New York in 1947, he won 19 games. The Yankees beat Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers in the World Series. He followed it up with a 16-win campaign in ’48. Starting in 1949, Reynolds and the Yankees reeled off five straight championship seasons. During that run Reynolds went 83-41.

His finest season came in 1952 when he went 20-8. Reynolds led the league in ERA, strikeouts, and shutouts to finish second in MVP balloting.

He finished his career in 1954 with an All Star season. For his career Reynolds went 182-107 with a 3.30 ERA.

Shown here is a postcard signed by Reynolds.

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After capturing the World Series title six times in eight season from 1936-1943, the New York Yankees fell on relatively hard times. By the end of the ’46 season, the championship drought reached three seasons, an unacceptable run by Yankee standards or the era. The roster needed a change.

General Manager Larry MacPhail knew a front line starting pitcher was the most glaring need. Meanwhile, the pitching-rich Indians were in search of offense. New Cleveland owner Bill Veeck offered to trade Allie Reynolds straight up for Yankee second sacker Joe Gordon.

MacPhail bit and the deal was consummated during the ’46 World Series. The exchange improved the fortunes of both clubs.

The addition of Reynolds immediately helped. The Yankees won the Fall Classic in his first season, a 19-win campaign for the right-hander. The following season in ’48 it was Cleveland’s turn. Gordon helped push the team over the top, finishing 6th in MVP voting as the Indians won the second title in franchise history.

Reynolds and the Yankees then reeled off five consecutive World Series wins. It remains the longest championship run in the history of baseball.

It’s a rare baseball trade that brings a World Series title to both teams. The Reynolds-for-Gordon deal did just that.

Shown here is a World’s Fair Laurel Card signed by Gordon in 1939.

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Allie Reynolds was a solid if unspectacular pitcher in his first four full big league seasons with the Indians. The right-hander was barely over the break-even mark with a 51-47 record.

In October of ’46, Cleveland shipped him to New York in exchange for Yankee second baseman Joe Gordon. That’s when everything changed.

Over his final 8 years – all in New York – Reynolds won 131 games against just 60 losses. In five of those seasons he received consideration in MVP balloting, finishing in the top-3 twice.

Starting in 1949, he reeled off 5 All Star campaigns in his last six big league seasons. In ’49 he established himself as a big game hurler when he got the ball for Game 1 of the Fall Classic.

Facing the Brooklyn Dodger lineup littered with 5 Hall of Fame hitters, he held the Bums to just two hits. The Yankees triumphed 4-games-to-1.

In the collection is this government postcard signed by Reynolds in spring training of the ’49 season.

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Shown here is the back of the postcard autographed by Allie Reynolds. Such pieces lend great context to where and when they were signed.

Notice the postmark from the Yankees spring training city of St. Petersburg, Florida on March 26, 1949. Reynolds was gearing up for the year that would feature his first All Star appearance.

That season Super Chief went 17-6 for the World Champion Yankees. In the Fall Classic he was the Game 1 starter and responded by holding the mighty Brooklyn Dodgers to two hits in a 1-0 shutout. Reynolds’ Yanks won the first of five straight World Series titles.

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The Yankees won a record five consecutive World Series championships from 1949-1953. Driving their run on titles was the starting rotation’s Big Three of Eddie Lopat, Vic Raschi, and Allie Reynolds.

In the five year period the three combined for to go 255-117. The trio had five 20-win campaigns between them, with Reynolds and Lopat each claiming an ERA Title. On baseball’s grandest stage, they were 15-6 with 10 complete games and 3 shutouts.

Shown here is an index card signed by Lopat. The 1953 American League leader in winning percentage has added the inscription, “1953 % leader and 16-4, 1953 ERA leader 2.43 Best of luck Eddie Lopat”.

Lopat finished his career with with 166 wins, 164 complete games, and 27 shutouts despite waiting debut until two months shy of his 26th birthday.

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When the Yankees went on their championship spree from 1949-1953, it was Vic Raschi who led the team in wins. The right-hander reached the 20-win plateau three times during the five year-run.

A winner of 132 big league contests, Raschi had 106 complete games and 26 shutouts during his ten-year career. Had World War II not delayed his MLB start, Vic Raschi just might be in the Hall of Fame.

In the collection is this government postcard signed by Raschi in 1950. Much more about Raschi can be found on his page on this website by clicking here.

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Allie Reynolds had an outstanding 13-year big league career that included six All Star campaigns and six World Series titles.

As as custom at the time, Reynolds was called “Chief” because of his Native American Creek ancestry. His nickname “Super Chief” is a combination of that with a tip of the cap to the Santa Fe Railroad.

In the late 1930s the Super Chief was the flagship of the railroad. Its route was between Hollywood and New York. In MGM’s 1947 movie “The Hucksters”, Clark Gable’s character says, “Only talent agents and kept woman ride the Chief. But the Super Chief is an exclusive club for New York – Hollywood commuters.” The train was elegant and known for its power and speed. It was only natural that the moniker would be applied to Reynolds.

During his time in New York, Reynolds and the Yankees were in the thick of the pennant race every year. He appeared in six World Series. In 15 appearances Reynolds went 7-2 with four saves and a 2.89 ERA. In 26 at bats in the Fall Classic Reynolds hit .308, 145 points over his regular season average. Quite simply, Reynolds was at his best when it mattered most.

In the collection are these two index cards signed by Reynolds. In the index card above Reynolds outlines his World Series accomplishments and signs his name above that. In the second index card Reynolds pens his name above his nickname “Super Chief”.

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After waiting the required 5 years since hanging up his spikes, Allie Reynolds appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot. The writers gave him as much as 33.6% of the vote in 1968. That year he finished ahead of future Cooperstown men Arky Vaughan, Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, George Kell, Hal Newhouser, Bob Lemon, and Bobby Doerr.

The closest Reynolds got to a plaque was in 2009. That year he received 8 votes, just one shy of the required 75% from the Veterans Committee. He has since appeared in both 2011 and 2012 on the Golden Era Committee ballot.

With today’s advanced metrics it is unlikely Reynolds will ever receive baseball’s highest honor.

Shown here is a 1962 Fleer card autographed by the two-time AL strikeout leader. According to Baseball-Reference.com’s similarity scores, the two pitchers most similar to Reynolds are both in the Hall of Fame — Lefty Gomez and former Cleveland teammate Lemon.

Reynolds’ fate now rests solely in the hands of the Veterans Committee.