Freddie Lindstrom broke into the big leagues in 1924 at age 18. His New York Giants won the pennant and faced off against Walter Johnson’s Washington Senators in the World Series.
The matchup against the Senators great could’ve left the wide-eyed Lindstrom overmatched. Johnson was twice his age and coming off of an MVP season in which he led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. Lindstrom was anything but awestruck.
In Game 1 Lindstrom became the youngest position player in the history of the Fall Classic. Though he went 0-for-5, the Giants claimed the victory. The rest of the Series the 18-year old went 10-for-25. As Johnson captured the only title of his 21-year career; Lindstrom’s career took off.
The following season, the 19-year old established himself as John McGraw’s regular third baseman. Over the next five years, Lindstrom hit .334 averaging 195 hits, 105 runs per season. In 1928 he led the league with 231 hits, a total he matched two years later. In 1930, Lindy became the first third baseman of the twentieth century to slug 20 homes in a season. Before his 25th birthday, Lindstrom had over 1,000 hits and a .327 average.
A broken ankle and back problems slowed Lindstrom in 1931. Over the final five seasons of his career from 1932-1936, his production declined. In his last three years, Lindstrom averaged just 71 games, never appearing in as many as 100 contests. Lindstrom retired at age 30.
In Hall of Fame voting Lindstrom topped out at 4.4%, nowhere near the 75% required for induction. His fortunes changed when former Giants teammates Frank Frisch and Bill Terry joined the Veterans Committee in 1967. Lindstrom’s case gained momentum culminating in his election in 1976.
In the collection is this vintage 1933 Goudey Freddie Lindstrom baseball card signed by the Hall of Fame third baseman. The Goudey Gum Company was the first to issue baseball cards with a stick of gum in each pack. Previously cards were sold with cigarettes or candy. The 1933 edition was the most iconic of the Goudey productions.
