1952 Topps #343 Dick Gernert
1952 Topps #343 Dick Gernert
About Dick Gernert
Richard Edward Gernert (September 28, 1928 – November 30, 2017) was a right-handed first baseman from Reading, Pennsylvania, where he starred at Reading High School and won a scholarship to Temple University. Red Sox scout (and former Boston pitcher) Charlie Wagner, a fellow Reading native, signed him after the 1949 season, and Gernert climbed through the minors before manager Lou Boudreau brought him to Boston in 1952. As a rookie he hit .243 with 19 home runs and 67 RBIs in 102 games, ranking 11th in the American League in homers, and in 1953 he belted 21 home runs — tying Mickey Mantle for seventh in the league. His best season came in 1956, when he batted .291 with a .399 on-base percentage. Over 11 major-league seasons with the Red Sox (1952–1959), Cubs (1960), Tigers (1960–1961), Reds (1961), and Houston Colt .45s (1962), he hit .254 with 103 home runs, 402 RBIs, and 632 hits in 835 games. He appeared as a reserve for Cincinnati's 1961 pennant winners, and in November 1959 was dealt from Boston to the Cubs in what is regarded as the first interleague trade made without waivers. After his playing days he coached for the Texas Rangers (1975–1976) and worked for decades as a scout and executive, including as the New York Mets' director of player personnel. This is his rookie card, part of the 1952 Topps high-number series (#311–407) that was printed in far smaller quantities than the earlier numbers, making these cards scarce and highly prized today.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number
Series 6 (311-407). Minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 when retailers cut orders — the scarcest and most coveted run in the set, holding Mantle, Robinson, Campanella, the Mathews rookie and more.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 511 | 1 | 4 | 41 | 52 | 86 | 111 | 214 | 2 |
| SGC | 101 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 21 | 61 | 5 |
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 Dick Gernert card?
It is card #343 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Boston Red Sox player, and is his rookie card.
Why is this card scarce?
It is in the 1952 Topps high-number series (311-407), which was minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 and is the scarcest, most sought-after run in the set.
Is the 1952 Topps Dick Gernert 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.