1952 Topps #405 Eddie Pellagrini
1952 Topps #405 Eddie Pellagrini
About Eddie Pellagrini
A Boston-born infielder signed by Red Sox scout (and future Hall of Famer) Hugh Duffy in the late 1930s, Eddie Pellagrini worked his way up through the minor leagues before losing three prime seasons (1942-1945) to U.S. Navy service in World War II. He reached the majors with the Red Sox in 1946 and etched his name into baseball lore on April 22, 1946: entering as a pinch-runner after Johnny Pesky was hit by a pitch, he then homered off Washington's Sid Hudson in his very first big-league at-bat, becoming the first Red Sox player ever to do so. A right-handed utility man who logged the bulk of his time at shortstop while also filling in at second and third base, "Pelly" played eight major-league seasons across five clubs -- the Red Sox (1946-47), St. Louis Browns (1948-49), Philadelphia Phillies (1951), Cincinnati Reds (1952, the team on this card), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1953-54). He finished with a .226 average, 20 home runs, and 133 RBI over 563 games. After his playing days Pellagrini became a beloved head baseball coach at Boston College for roughly three decades, guiding the Eagles to College World Series appearances (1960, 1961, 1967) and earning induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994; the school later named its diamond in his honor. As a common player in the scarce high-number series (#311-407), his 1952 Topps card is notably harder to find today than the set's low numbers.
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 | 498 | 0 | 5 | 27 | 57 | 92 | 79 | 236 | 2 |
| SGC | 103 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 66 | 4 |
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 Pellagrini card?
It is card #405 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cincinnati Reds player.
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 Eddie Pellagrini 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.