On the Card & Back - The Tolstoi back is considered scarce among the 38 recognized T206 card backs.  Generally, around only 1% of T206 cards in existence carry the Tolstoi advertising back, “Tolstoi, Russian Mouth Piece Cigarettes.”  The PSA grade, 1, is due to obvious creases running horizontally across the card. 

On the Player - James Otis Crandall, born on October 8, 1887, and passing away on August 17, 1951, was a right-handed pitcher and second baseman who left a mark on the game of baseball. He achieved the distinction of being the pioneer of consistent relief pitching and earned the affectionate moniker "Doc" from famed sports writer Damon Runyon, who hailed Crandall as the "physician of the pitching emergency." Crandall's baseball career spanned from 1908 to 1918, beginning with the New York Giants (1908–1913) and later moving on to the St. Louis Cardinals (1913), St. Louis Terriers (1914–1915), St. Louis Browns (1916), and the Boston Braves (1918).  Although Crandall often took the mound as a starting pitcher, his legacy was firmly rooted in his remarkable five-season streak of leading the league in relief appearances while with the Giants. Between 1910 and 1912, he also excelled in relief victories, boasting a record of 45 wins and 16 losses during that period. Thanks to Crandall's contributions, the Giants clinched three consecutive pennants from 1911 to 1913.  Beyond his prowess on the mound, Crandall exhibited quick fielding skills and versatility by frequently taking up infield positions. With a lifetime batting average of .285, he was a valuable asset as a pinch hitter, further adding to his multifaceted contributions to the sport of baseball. 

Set information - The 1909-1911 T206 set is considered by many as the most important baseball card set in the hobby field. Together with the 1933 Goudey and 1952 Topps sets, the T206 completes the “Big Three” classic baseball card sets. Affectionately named “The Monster” based on its 524-card size, the T206 is home to some of the most valuable vintage baseball cards, including the famed T206 Honus Wagner rarity.