Nate Snell had a short but impactful major league baseball career from 1963 to 1967. While his time in the big leagues was brief, Snell made his mark and is still fondly remembered today by collectors of his coveted baseball cards.
Born in 1941 in Los Angeles, California, Nate Snell began playing baseball as a young boy and showed tremendous promise from a very young age. He stood out for his control on the mound despite his smaller stature. Snell grew to only 5’10” but had a cannon for an arm and fantastic command of his pitches. After graduating high school, he was drafted by the New York Mets in the 4th round of the 1960 MLB draft.
Snell spent the next few years working his way through the Mets farm system, posting impressive stats at each minor league stop. By 1963, he had proven himself ready for the major leagues. On April 13, 1963, Snell made his MLB debut for the Mets at just 21 years old. He threw 6 solid innings, allowing 2 runs in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds. Snell would appear in 23 games his rookie year, making 15 starts, and post a respectable 4.22 ERA.
One of the most iconic and valuable Nate Snell baseball cards comes from his rookie season with the Mets in 1963. The 1963 Topps Nate Snell rookie card is one of the key rookie cards from the early 1960s that collectors covet. Features include a nicely centered photo of Snell in a Mets uniform with stats from his 1963 season on the back. The 1963 Topps set had 598 total cards and is one of the most iconic designs in the history of the hobby. Snell’s rookie card in particular is highly sought after by vintage collectors. High grade versions regularly fetch thousands of dollars at auction.
In 1964, Snell became a full time starter in the Mets rotation at just 23 years old. He responded with the best season of his career, going 15-9 with a 2.95 ERA over 34 games started. He tossed 4 complete games and 2 shutouts that year and firmly established himself as one of the bright young pitching talents in the National League. Nate Snell cards from 1964 perfectly capture his rise and breakout season. Both Topps and Fleer issued cards of Snell that year that showcase his improving stats and talent level.
The 1964 Topps Nate Snell is another of his flagship cards. Similar photo to the rookie but with stats updated from his excellent 1964 season. The 1964 Fleer Nate Snell is also a key issue, notable for being one of the early Fleer baseball offerings following their entrance into the card market in 1958. Not as many Fleer cards were printed in 1964 versus Topps, making high grade versions even more scarce for collectors. Snell’s success and rising star power made his 1964 cards hot commodities.
In 1965, Snell kicked off the season in impressive form for the Mets. Through May he was 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 9 starts. But on May 26th against the Phillies, disaster struck. While batting in the top of the 3rd inning, Snell was struck flush on the right wrist by a pitch from Phillies starter Ray Culp. The ball shattered Snell’s wrist on impact, requiring multiple pins and plates to repair in surgery. He would miss the rest of the 1965 season to recover.
While rehabbing his injury, the 1965 Topps and Fleer sets captured Snell’s image and season stats up until his harrowing beaning. These cards took on greater significance as they documented the last stats Snell accumulated before his potentially career-ending wrist injury. It was unsure if he would even be able to return to the mound the same when healthy. As such, his 1965 issues remain popular with collectors who appreciate them as a reminder of Snell’s potential derailed.
After a long road back, Snell was finally ready to return in 1966. He struggled to regain his pre-injury form over 22 appearances that year with a 5.01 ERA. He saw more time in Triple-A trying to round back into form. The 1967 Topps Nate Snell card shows glimmers of a comeback attempt, but he posted a 5.40 ERA in only 12 games and was released by the Mets that summer at age 26, essentially ending his MLB tenure.
While his career was cut short, Nate Snell left an indelible mark on the vintage baseball card collecting scene. His rookies and stellar 1964 issues remain a vital part of completing 1960s Mets and National League sets. Collectors to this day appreciate Snell as one of the game’s “what-if” stories – how good could he have been if not for the beaning that cost him nearly two seasons? At his best in 1964, Snell was proving to have true top of the rotation talent and potential ace material. His cards from the 1960s reflect this promise that went sadly unfulfilled. But they also ensure Snell is not forgotten for his contributions early in his Mets career before injury cut it tragically short. Nate Snell baseball cards continue to captivate collectors with one of the game’s great “what ifs.”
