1952 Topps #39 Dizzy Trout
About Dizzy Trout
Paul Howard "Dizzy" Trout was a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who first played professionally in 1935 with the Terre Haute Tots of the Three-I League before signing with the Detroit Tigers, for whom he debuted in April 1939. He spent 15 major-league seasons (1939-1957), nearly all with Detroit, and finished 170-161 with a 3.23 ERA and 1,256 strikeouts. A durable workhorse and unusually good hitting pitcher (20 career home runs), Trout peaked in 1944, going 27-14 and leading the American League in ERA (2.12), complete games (33), shutouts (7), and innings (352-1/3); he finished second in the MVP vote by just four points to teammate Hal Newhouser. He led the AL in wins in 1943 (20) and was named an All-Star in 1944 and 1947. In 1945 he helped pitch Detroit to the World Series title, beating the Cubs 4-1 on a five-hitter in Game 4 (0.66 Series ERA) before the Tigers clinched in Game 7. The nickname "Dizzy" was self-styled after Dizzy Dean, Trout quipping that he was called Diz "because I talk as much as Diz." He later broadcast Tigers games and worked for the White Sox until his death in 1972; his son Steve Trout also pitched in the majors. This card, a first-series issue, is found with both black and red printing on the back.
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 | 696 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 85 | 116 | 173 | 280 | 8 |
| SGC | 115 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 24 | 72 | 4 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 44 · Red Back 71
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 Dizzy Trout card?
It is card #39 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Detroit Tigers player.
Does the 1952 Topps Dizzy Trout 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 Dizzy Trout 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.