1952 Topps Profile

Oct
30
2022

The Cowboy Appearing in 1952 Topps

Dave Philley’s 1952 Topps card casually ends the biographic text on the back of the card with, “Dave raises cattle during the off-season.” Oh really? It turns out Dave was a genuine Texas cowboy working a ranch with his brother in Paris, Texas.

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Oct
29
2022

Forerunner to the Closer

The original template for starter to reliever conversions, Jerry Staley had some sharp years for the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a sinkerball artist, he could induce easy outs without throwing too many pitches. His 1952 Topps baseball card was issued right in the middle of a three-year run in which he nearly averaged 20 wins per season.

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Oct
25
2022

A Good Card in 1952 and a Good Card Today

Someone opening a pack of baseball cards in 1952 would have been quite happy to find card #106 between folds of wax paper wrapping. It pictured Washington Senators first baseman Mickey Vernon. The former batting champion was the best player on his team, racking up respectable totals in home runs and doubles.

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