One of the most Iconic Baseball Card Sets in History
1952 Topps Dizzy Trout Card
The 1952 Topps Baseball Card set is widely considered one of the most important and iconic sports card sets in history. Among the cards in this set is the Dizzy Trout card, which bears the distinction of being card number 39. This card is a tribute to an outstanding pitcher of the 1940s and early 1950s, and its estimated value reflects its significance in the baseball card collecting world. In this article, we'll explore who Dizzy Trout was, his Major League Baseball (MLB) stats, and provide an estimated value of his 1952 Topps card.
Who was Dizzy Trout?
Dizzy Trout, born Paul Howard Trout on June 29, 1915, in Sandcut, Indiana, was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in the MLB for the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox. Trout's career spanned 15 seasons from 1939 to 1957, with a hiatus in 1945 due to his military service during World War II. Known for his strong arm and impressive pitching repertoire, Trout was an integral part of the Tigers' success during the 1940s, helping them win the 1945 World Series.
Dizzy Trout's MLB Stats
Dizzy Trout had an impressive career as a Major League Baseball pitcher. His overall stats are as follows:
Win-Loss Record: 170-161
Earned Run Average (ERA): 3.23
Innings Pitched: 2,678.2
Strikeouts: 1,256
Complete Games: 158
Shutouts: 28
Walks: 849
Hits Allowed: 2,587
Runs Allowed: 1,174
Home Runs Allowed: 193
All-Star Appearances: 2 (1944 and 1947)
World Series Championships: 1 (1945)
Some of Trout's career highlights include:
Leading the American League in wins (27) and complete games (33) in 1943
Finishing second in the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting in 1944
Participating in the 1944 and 1947 MLB All-Star Games
Winning the 1945 World Series with the Detroit Tigers
The 1952 Topps Dizzy Trout Card
Card number 39 in the 1952 Topps set features a colorized photo of Dizzy Trout in his Detroit Tigers uniform, set against a sky-blue background. The card design includes a white border, a facsimile autograph across the photo, and the iconic red Topps banner at the bottom displaying the player's name and team.
The back of the card contains a brief player biography, a cartoon illustration related to the player, and the player's statistics from the previous season (1951) and his career totals up to that point.
Estimated Value of the 1952 Topps Dizzy Trout Card
The value of the 1952 Topps Dizzy Trout card can vary significantly depending on the card's condition and the grading assigned by a professional grading service like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), SGC (Sportscard Guaranty), or Beckett Grading Services.
Below are estimated values based on the card's condition and grading:
PSA 1 (Poor): $30 - $50
PSA 2 (Good): $50 - $75
PSA 3 (Very Good): $75 - $100
PSA 4 (Very Good-Excellent): $100 - $150
PSA 5 (Excellent): $150 - $225
PSA 6 (Excellent-Mint): $225 - $300
PSA 7 (Near Mint): $300 - $450
PSA 8 (Near Mint-Mint): $450 - $600
PSA 9 (Mint): $600 - $1,000
PSA 10 (Gem Mint): $1,000 - $2,000
Please note that these values are approximate and may fluctuate based on market trends, demand, and the rarity of high-grade examples. It's also worth mentioning that ungraded cards or those graded by less reputable grading services may sell for lower values than those listed above.
Factors Affecting the Value of the 1952 Topps Dizzy Trout Card
Several factors can influence the value of the Dizzy Trout card from the 1952 Topps set:
Card Condition: The overall condition of the card is the most significant factor affecting its value. Cards with sharp corners, clean surfaces, and well-centered images will command a premium, while those with noticeable wear, creasing, or staining will sell for less.
Grading: Professionally graded cards are typically more valuable than ungraded examples. Grading services such as PSA, SGC, and Beckett Grading Services assess a card's condition and assign a numerical grade based on a 10-point scale. Higher-graded cards are rarer and generally more desirable to collectors.
Rarity: While Dizzy Trout's card is not considered particularly rare within the 1952 Topps set, the scarcity of high-grade examples can significantly increase the value of the card.
Demand: The demand for vintage baseball cards, particularly from the iconic 1952 Topps set, remains strong among collectors. This enduring interest in cards from this era helps to maintain the value of the Dizzy Trout card and other cards in the set.
The 1952 Topps Dizzy Trout card is a piece of baseball history, commemorating the career of a talented and accomplished MLB pitcher. As part of the legendary 1952 Topps set, it holds a special place in the hearts of baseball card collectors and fans of the game. With a range of values based on condition and grading, this card is an excellent addition to any vintage sports card collection. Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, the Dizzy Trout card is a classic gem worth pursuing.