Paul Calle (1928 - 2010) and Chris Calle (B. 1961) "1950s - World Series Rivals" Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c World Series Rivals stamp issued May 26, 1999. Baseball has always been America's great national pastime. In 1876, the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was organized. The rival American League followed suit in 1901. As World War II came to a close, many of the sport's most talented players returned to the game from overseas duty. Subsequently, baseball fever swept the nation during the 1950s. Who could forget such Brooklyn greats as Don Newcombe, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson? The Yanks boasted stars like Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Billy Martin, Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto. In 1951, the first baseball game was nationally televised -- a three-game playoff between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers for the National League crown. In 1952, the American League's New York Yankees and the National League's Brooklyn Dodgers met for baseball's premier event, the World Series. The Yankees swept the Series four games to three. The two teams met again in the following year's World Series. Again, the Yankees came out on top, winning 4-2 in games. In 1955, the Yankees were singing a different song as the Dodgers swept the Series four games to three. The next year, however, the Yanks were back in top form, winning the 1956 World Series four games to three. Image Size: 15 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 23 x 16 in. Unframed. (B16417 / B16418)