1934 Goudey #51 Ripper Collins
About Ripper Collins
James Anthony “Ripper” Collins got his start in 1922, signing with York of the Class C New York-Penn League after a mine strike wiped out his income. He spent nearly a decade in the minors — including a .376, 40-homer season for Rochester in 1930 that set an International League RBI record — before winning the Cardinals’ first-base job in 1931, a rookie year capped by a World Series title. His nickname traces to a drive that struck a nail on the outfield fence and tore the ball’s cover; the fielder retrieving it hollered, “It was the ripper.” Collins broke out in 1934, batting .333 with a league-leading .615 slugging mark and 35 home runs — tying Mel Ott for the NL crown — while anchoring the pennant-winning “Gas House Gang.” He hit .367 that fall in the World Series, rapping four hits as the Cardinals routed Detroit in the Game Seven clincher. A three-time All-Star who later managed and coached in pro ball, Collins held the career home run record among switch-hitters — 135 — until Mickey Mantle passed him. This 1934 Goudey card, issued during his career-defining season, is recognized as his rookie card.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 216 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 19 | 31 | 41 | 107 | 3 |
| SGC | 100 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 57 | 3 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-08-14. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1934 Goudey Ripper Collins card?
It is card #51 of the 1934 Goudey (R320) Baseball set - the 96-card, 2-3/8 by 2-7/8 inch color-art set issued in 1934 with Big League Chewing Gum. It pictures Ripper Collins with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Is the 1934 Goudey Ripper Collins #51 a rookie card?
By modern catalog convention, yes. Sheet 1 of the set reused returning 1933 subjects, but most of the remaining cards picture players getting their first major gum card - 63 of the 96 cards carry the rookie-card (RC) designation.
How many cards are in the 1934 Goudey set?
96 cards, printed on four 24-card press sheets. 84 fronts carry the blue 'Lou Gehrig says' strip and 12 carry the red 'Chuck Klein says' strip (#80-91). The high numbers #73-96 are the scarcest cards.
Sources: PSA CardFacts, Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and hobby press-sheet research (SABR). Card data compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-08-16.