If you like history with your baseball cards, we’ve got a nice one for you this week. Just Collect is offering a 1924 Zeenut card of Moses “Chief” Yellowhorse, believed to be the first full-blooded Native American to play in the Major Leagues. The card pictures the pitcher with the Sacramento Senators of the Pacific Coast League. Graded SGC 40 and without the coupon attached, it’s one of only three graded at this level with none higher. The Yellowhorse card is one of more than 50 Zeenuts we’re offering this week—all professionally graded and ready to become part of your collection. Yellowhorse’s story is both inspiring and sad. Discovered at Chilocco Indian Agricultural School, he quickly worked his way up to the Major Leagues, debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1921 in relief of Earl Hamilton where he helped preserve a 3-1 win over Cincinnati. Unfortunately, an arm injury required surgery later that year and he sat out two months. He pitched well that first season, finishing with a 5-3 record and an earned run average of 2.98. Yellowhorse returned to Pittsburgh, reportedly after falling down while drunk. It was a malady that plagued him as his career regressed and into his life away from baseball. After his release, Yellowhorse wound up in the minor leagues, pitching until 1926 in Sacramento, Ft. Worth and Omaha. He eventually beat his alcoholism problems and became a respected member of his tribe back in Oklahoma, where he died in 1964. Several other early 1920’s PCL stars are part of our impressive and rare group of the popular Zeenuts cards this week. These decades-old black and white cards feature some great action poses from players who toiled in the league that was home to some terrific baseball. Many are among the highest graded examples in existence and opportunities to acquire them don’t come around often. Every collector should own at least one. Please check them out!
