This photograph from the early 1950s shows Topekan Harland Coffman (on the right) with two unidentified baseball players, all of whom are wearing Cardinals uniforms. Coffman was a right-handed pitcher who played for several minor league teams between 1948 and 1952. Among his teams were the Columbus (GA) Cardinals in 1950 and the Omaha Cardinals in 1951. Also, in 1952, Coffman participated in the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training camp, although he did not make the team roster in the regular season. In 158 minor league games, Coffman achieved an overall record of 62-46, with an ERA of 3.19. His professional playing days ended when he suffered an arm injury and opted not to have surgery recommended by doctors to extend his baseball career. Digital reproduction of the photograph was accomplished through a joint project sponsored by the Kansas Historical Society and the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame.
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