Unpossible Autograph Friday- Dave Pope, Oriole #62

I've been attempting to countdown the "unpossible" Orioles autographs in reverse order of their debuts, at least when no former O's pass away within that week, but I got a bit out of order two weeks ago when I profiled Oriole #41, Gene Woodling, a few weeks too early. Oh well, no big deal, but had to call myself out on it. So up this week I'm getting back on track with Oriole #62, Dave Pope.

Dave played in the Major Leagues between 1952-56 with the Indians and Orioles. He made his Baltimore debut on June 15, 1955, becoming the 62nd player to appear in a game for the O's. He spent parts of the 1955 & '56 seasons with the O's, having been traded to the O's from the Indians in mid-1955 and was sent back to the Indians during the 1956 season.

Prior to Dave's time in the Majors, he played one season in the Negro Leagues. His brother, Willie Pope, also played in the Negro Leagues and seemingly had a distinguished career there. 


Dave also served in the Army during World War II prior to his time as a professional baseball player.

He passed away in 1999 from complications of leukemia and was 78 at the time of his passing. RIP Dave.


To briefly explain the misspelled/made up title of these weekly posts: Every Friday, I profile a former Oriole who has passed away. I've substituted the word unpossible for impossible as an homage to a line from "The Simpsons". Young Ralph Wiggum, who is not very smart, says "Me fail English? That's unpossible." 

Wrapping up the Trade- Signed Index Cards

Here's the rest of the autographs from my recent trade. These are all cut or signed 3x5s, so I would still like to find signed Orioles cards of these guys, but am happy to add these to my collection for now.

Del Rice was a catcher who played from 1945-61 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles. He appeared in only one game for the Orioles in 1960, and had just one at-bat with the Birds. He was a member of two World Series Championship teams, the '46 Cardinals and the '57 Braves, and was elected to the 1953 N.L. All-Star team as a reserve.

Del was a baseball lifer and immediately following his playing career jumped to coaching, and later managing, eventually rising through the ranks to manage the 1972 Angels. He passed away from cancer in 1983. The Orioles Crown card, which was released in 1991, is his only "Orioles" card, so this cut autograph will stay in my collection.

Dave Pope played four seasons in the Major Leagues from 1952-56 for the Indians and Orioles. He briefly played in the Negro Leagues before his time in the Majors, and had an older brother, Willie, who also played in the Negro Leagues. He passed away in 1999 from leukemia.

Kelly played parts of five seasons in the Majors from 1982-88 and spent parts of 1985-86 with the Orioles, appearing in five games each season. He played at least ten games (of the 92 he appeared in during his career) at each infield position.

I sent him a TTM request in October, but haven't got anything back yet, so traded for this 3x5 in the meantime. A private signing with Kelly was recently announced through MLAM, so I will try to get his Crown card signed that way.

 

Gordon Dillard pitched two games for the Orioles in 1988 and five for the Phillies in 1989. I sent him a TTM request in July 2009, but he never sent my card back and has signed for at least one other collector since then according to SCN. Maybe he didn't like my letter. Who knows?