Baseball cards have been an iconic part of the sport for over 150 years, starting as simple promotional items inserted in tobacco products in the late 1800s. Over the decades, the cards evolved into elaborate collectibles chronicling the players, teams, and eras of baseball history. By the mid-20th century, the cards also began appearing frequently in newspaper puzzles like crosswords as a way to work in pop culture references.
Some of the earliest mentions of baseball cards in crosswords involved using just the players’ last names as short answers. For example, a 1956 Los Angeles Times crossword included the three-letter answer “MAT” which referred to Yankees great Yogi Berra. Simple clues like “Yankees catcher” helped identify the baseball great without using his full name. This allowed the puzzles to work in topical sports figures while keeping the overall puzzle size compact.
As baseball card collecting boomed in the postwar era, card names began popping up more regularly in crosswords as a way to engage sports fans doing the puzzles. Legendary Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale had his last name used as a four-letter answer in 1958. Clues would directly reference the baseball context, like “Brooklyn hurler” to identify “DRYS.” This let casual fans who may not be into cards still solve the puzzle by understanding the sports reference.
Through the 1960s, the golden age of baseball cards, more elaborate figures began appearing. A 1964 crossword in the Boston Globe included the five-letter answer “ROBIN” for Reds star Frank Robinson. It helped show how puzzles were able to work in longer baseball names as the hobby grew in popularity. Full first and last names started entering crosswords by the late 1960s, a sign of cards being deeply embedded in popular culture.
A major breakthrough came in 1968 when the first six-letter baseball card name appeared in a crossword. The answer was “MARICH” for Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale’s battery mate and fellow star Sandy Koufax. It showed crosswords could fit in lengthy player names that would challenge even avid card collectors. Clues helped identify obscure names, like “Koufax catcher” for “MARICH” to solve. This helped connect the puzzles to card collectors.
In the 1970s, as the hobby reached new heights, virtually every major star found their way into crosswords. Seven-letter answers became common, like “MANTLE” for Yankees legend Mickey. Even eight-letter names started showing up for the biggest names like “ROBINSON” for Dodgers icon Jackie Robinson. Puzzles expertly wove the players into the overall design to engage baseball and collecting fans. Regional puzzles also worked in local player names.
By the 1980s, vintage cards from the early 20th century also began appearing. This allowed puzzles to pull in legendary names of baseball past. The nine-letter answer “MATHEWS” worked in Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews in a 1982 LA Times puzzle. Clues helped identify players before collectors’ time, like “Braves third sacker” for “MATHEWS.” This showed how puzzles continued evolving to include baseball’s entire history.
Now into the 21st century, baseball card names remain a fixture in crosswords of all sizes. Whether it’s current stars like “TROUT” for Angels ace Mike Trout or old-time greats like “HOGBAN” for early Yankees catcher Gabby Street, the puzzles keep the sport’s collecting heritage alive. Regional puzzles also work in local legends, rewarding local fans. Baseball cards thus continue fueling crossword puzzles decades after the first players entered the squares, ensuring the connection between puzzles and the hobby lives on.