Final Card: Don Schwall

This is the last of Topps' 6 cards for Don Schwall (#267).

Don began his career in 1958 in the Red Sox' farm system. After 2 seasons in class-D ball (including a 23-6 record in 1959), he jumped up to triple-A in 1960. He played all of 1960 and part of 1961 in AAA before making his major-league debut with the Red Sox in May 1961. He made 25 starts for Boston, compiling a 15-7 record (the most wins on the team), and won the 1961 AL Rookie of the Year award.



Unfortunately, Schwall's rookie season was to be the high point of his career. After an off-year (9-15) in 1962, Don was traded to the Pirates (with catcher Jim Pagliaroni) for pitcher Jack Lamabe and 1st baseman Dick Stuart.

After 2 lackluster seasons as a Pirates' starter (which included a trip to the minors in 1964), Don switched to relief for 1965 and compiled a 9-6 record in 77 innings.

In mid-June 1966, he was traded to the Braves for pitcher Billy O'Dell. Don pitched the rest of 1966 for Atlanta, but made only 1 appearance in 1967 (April 12th - the second game of the season). Schwall was released on June 20th 1967. He also pitched 6 games for the Braves' triple-A Richmond team in 1967.