1952 Topps #233 Bob Friend
1952 Topps #233 Bob Friend
About Bob Friend
Bob Friend was a durable right-handed pitcher who signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and reached the majors in 1951 at age 20, later earning an economics degree from Purdue University during his off-seasons. He spent 15 seasons in Pittsburgh (1951-1965) before splitting his final 1966 campaign between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, finishing 197-230 with a 3.58 ERA and 1,734 strikeouts. A four-time All-Star, he won the 1955 NL ERA title (2.83) and became the first pitcher to lead his league in earned run average while toiling for a last-place club; in 1958 he paced the NL with 22 wins (22-14). Friend anchored the Pirates' 1960 World Series champions over the Yankees, though he personally struggled in that Series (0-2, 13.50 ERA). Nicknamed "The Warrior" from his days as a high-school football tailback, he was famously never placed on the disabled list in 16 seasons and long held the Pirates' franchise records for career innings pitched and strikeouts. His 1952 Topps card (#233) is a rookie card issued in the fourth series, well ahead of the scarce #311-407 high numbers. Friend died in 2019 at age 88.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 626 | 0 | 3 | 56 | 103 | 154 | 137 | 172 | 1 |
| SGC | 118 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 27 | 67 | 1 |
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 Bob Friend card?
It is card #233 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Pittsburgh Pirates player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1952 Topps Bob Friend 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.