1952 Topps #57 Ed Lopat
1952 Topps #57 Ed Lopat
About Ed Lopat
A crafty left-handed pitcher, Ed Lopat signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1936 and toiled seven years in the minors before reaching the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 1944. Traded to the New York Yankees in 1948, he spent eight seasons in the Bronx (1948-1955) before finishing his career with a brief stint at Baltimore in 1955. Over 12 American League seasons he went 166-112 (.597) with a 3.21 ERA and 859 strikeouts, earning an All-Star selection in 1951 and leading the AL in both ERA (2.42) and winning percentage (.800, on a 16-4 mark) in 1953. Alongside Allie Reynolds and Vic Raschi, Lopat formed the "Big Three" that anchored the Yankees to a record five consecutive World Series titles (1949-1953); across those Fall Classics he posted a 4-1 record and 2.60 ERA. Nicknamed "The Junk Man" for befuddling hitters with an array of off-speed pitches thrown from an identical motion — and also called "Steady Eddie" for his reliability — Lopat was never elected to Cooperstown but was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. This #57 card sits in the first series, and like many 1952 Topps issues it exists with both black-back and red-back print variations.
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 | 1,120 | 0 | 7 | 84 | 154 | 203 | 247 | 423 | 2 |
| SGC | 214 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 46 | 123 | 4 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 119 · Red Back 95
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 Ed Lopat card?
It is card #57 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the New York Yankees player.
Does the 1952 Topps Ed Lopat 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 Ed Lopat 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.