1952 Topps #73 Bill Werle
1952 Topps #73 Bill Werle
About Bill Werle
William George "Bugs" Werle (1920-2010) was a left-handed pitcher out of Oakland, California, who attended the University of California, Berkeley before signing with the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals in 1943. After a brief Army stint during World War II, he reached the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates, debuting on April 22, 1949. That rookie year was his finest: he went 12-13 with a 4.24 ERA, striking out 106 batters in 221 innings and completing 10 games for the sixth-place Pirates, ranking among the National League's best rookie lefties. Werle spent parts of six big-league seasons (1949-1954) with the Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals (acquired in a 1952 trade for Red Munger), and Boston Red Sox, finishing 29-39 with a 4.69 ERA and 283 strikeouts over 185 appearances. His nickname "Bugs" came from his interest in entomology. After his playing days he enjoyed a long second career as a minor-league manager and a respected pitching scout for the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. His card sits in the first series of the 1952 Topps set, well ahead of the scarce high-number run (#311-407), and is found with either a black-back or red-back printing.
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 | 639 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 89 | 141 | 160 | 213 | 3 |
| SGC | 80 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 49 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 42 · Red Back 38
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 Bill Werle card?
It is card #73 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Pittsburgh Pirates player.
Does the 1952 Topps Bill Werle 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 Bill Werle 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.