This lot features the 1962 Topps Dale Long #228 PSA 8.5!  

A native of Springfield, Missouri, Long graduated from high school in Adams, Massachusetts, and turned down an offer from the Green Bay Packers to play football, opting instead for a baseball contract. He got into one game at age 18 for the top-level Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association during the wartime 1944 season, then began his career in earnest in 1945 in the Cincinnati Reds' organization. Long spent six more full seasons in the minor leagues, playing for five different parent clubs, before he debuted with the Pirates in 1951, ending that season with the St. Louis Browns. During his spring training with the 1951 Pirates, the southpaw first baseman was convinced to try catching by the club's general manager, Hall of Famer Branch Rickey. The experiment ended after one game, but Long would briefly return to the position again in the majors seven years later. 

In 1956, Long posted career highs in home runs (27) and RBI (91), made the National League All-Star team, and put his name in the record books by hitting eight home runs in eight consecutive games between May 19 and May 28, breaking the previous mark of six straight games, shared by Ken Williams (1922), George Kelly (1924), Lou Gehrig (1931), Walker Cooper (1947) and Willie Mays (1955). Since then, his achievement has been matched only by Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993), both in the American League. 

Long's home-run binge capped a torrid start to his 1956 season. He collected 15 hits—raising his batting average from .384 to .411—and 17 runs batted in during the eight-game stretch. With his batting average still above .310 in June, Long was selected as the National League's starting first baseman in the 1956 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, played at Griffith Stadium on July 10. He was hitless in two at bats, but the Senior Circuit won the game, 7–3. It would be Long's only appearance in a midsummer classic. 

Here’s a great looking example of the 1962 card here. This beauty has 4 razor shar corners, 4 exceptional borders and a blazing surface with full gloss, color and clarity. The reverse is crisp and clean with pack fresh background color, near perfect centering and no marks or blemishes of any kind. Buyer adds 2.50 for ship insured, US customers only, cc and m.o. payments go out next day, checks held 5 days. Please message me with questions. Always combined shipping on multiple purchases. Thanks, and good luck.