1952 Topps #70 Al Zarilla
About Al Zarilla
Al "Zeke" Zarilla was a Los Angeles-born right fielder signed as a teenager by Browns scout (and former big-league star) Jack Fournier, reaching the majors with the St. Louis Browns on June 30, 1943, in a wartime benefit game he reportedly had to buy a ticket to attend. Over a ten-season career (1943-1953) with the Browns, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox, the left-handed hitter batted .276 with 61 home runs and 456 RBI across 1,120 games. He hit .299 for the 1944 Browns, the only pennant winner in franchise history, appearing in that year's World Series loss to the crosstown Cardinals. His finest year came in 1948, when he hit .329 with 174 hits and 39 doubles and earned his lone All-Star selection. On June 8, 1950, he went 5-for-7 with four doubles for Boston in a 29-4 rout. The nickname "Zeke" reflected his California roots and bowlegged, cowboy-like gait. This card pictures him with the White Sox, whom he joined in a December 1950 trade; it is a Series 1 issue found with both black-back and red-back printing variations.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
Black Back / Red Back Series 1 (cards 1-80)
Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
- Black Back — scarcer: First printing. Reverse printed in black ink. Scarcer, and typically carries a small premium over the red back.
- Red Back: Second printing onward. Reverse printed in red ink. The more common of the two.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 766 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 83 | 137 | 193 | 318 | 6 |
| SGC | 97 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 20 | 61 | 0 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 46 · Red Back 51
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Al Zarilla card?
It is card #70 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Chicago White Sox player.
Does the 1952 Topps Al Zarilla have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
Is the 1952 Topps Al Zarilla valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.