Helmar “This Great Game” Card #60 – Hank Bauer (New York Yankees)

This richly colored Helmar art card portrays Hank Bauer of the New York Yankees poised at the plate, muscles coiled and expression fierce beneath his navy cap. The bold red and blue background blocks evoke both Yankee Stadium’s imposing geometry and the postwar optimism of 1950s America. The artist’s crisp linework and taut composition capture Bauer’s bulldog determination—the kind of hard-edged grit that made him a clubhouse anchor on championship teams.

Henry Albert “Hank” Bauer (1922–2007) was the embodiment of toughness and consistency during the Yankees’ great run of the 1950s. A three-time All-Star and veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he earned two Purple Hearts before turning his focus fully to baseball. As New York’s right fielder, Bauer was known for his relentless drive, sharp instincts, and clutch hitting—including a then-record 17-game World Series hitting streak. After his playing career, he went on to manage the Baltimore Orioles, guiding them to a World Series title in 1966.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series celebrates baseball’s enduring legends through the warmth of hand-rendered gouache art and vintage-inspired design. Printed on heavy stock with subtle aging and fine color detail, each card recalls the artistry and tactile charm of classic gum cards while honoring the players who gave the national pastime its spirit.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.