1952 Topps #45 Eddie Joost
1952 Topps #45 Eddie Joost
About Eddie Joost
A San Francisco native, Eddie Joost signed with the Pacific Coast League's Mission Reds at age 16 in 1933 before Cincinnati brought him to the majors in September 1936. A right-handed-hitting shortstop, he played 17 big-league seasons (1936-1955) for the Reds, Boston Braves, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox, winning a World Series ring with the 1940 Reds, for whom he started all seven games at second base. Joost blossomed in Philadelphia, earning American League All-Star selections in 1949 and 1952 and posting a career-best .263 with 23 home runs, 128 runs, and 149 walks in 1949. Renowned for his plate discipline, he drew 100-plus walks in six straight seasons and carried a .361 on-base percentage despite a .239 lifetime average, finishing with 134 home runs and 601 RBI; his Athletics infield turned a record 217 double plays in 1949. Sometimes called "The Thin Man" for his lean build, Joost famously overcame the era's stigma to wear eyeglasses on the field. In 1954 he served as the third and final manager in Philadelphia Athletics history before the club moved to Kansas City. This card is a low-numbered Series 1 issue (not a scarce high number) and exists with both black-back and red-back color variations.
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 | 615 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 87 | 125 | 124 | 241 | 4 |
| SGC | 89 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 53 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 42 · Red Back 47
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 Eddie Joost card?
It is card #45 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Philadelphia Athletics player.
Does the 1952 Topps Eddie Joost 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 Eddie Joost 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.