[KenRaffensberger16]

The war between Bowman and Manhattan-based Topps for card company supremacy climaxed in 1955. Although Bowman won the battle to sign Phillies players, Topps won the war. The 1955 series would be the last Bowman produced as the company folded in January 1956. You'll notice no star Phillies players appeared in the Topps 1955 card set (perhaps established Phils players were loyal to Philadelphia-based Bowman). 10 Phillies appeared in Topps' 1955 set. Manager Mayo Smith, two journeymen pitchers Bob Miller and Herm Wehmeier, three recent year and not-too-successful bonus babies: SS -Ted Kazanski, and pitchers Tom Qualters and Thornton Kipper, one rookie - P - Jim Owens, one player who saw significant playing time in 1954, but who was a about to play the final two MLB games of his career in '55 - OF - Danny Schell; and two players who never would appear in a single Phillies or MLB game ever - INF - Lou Ortiz and P - Tom Casagrande. Altogether, a very strange selection of hasbeens and neverweres comprised the 1955 Phils team set.