1952 Topps #273 Erv Palica
1952 Topps #273 Erv Palica
About Erv Palica
Erv Palica (born Ervin Martin Pavliecevich in Lomita, California, on February 9, 1928, into a family of Austrian immigrants who shortened the surname) was a right-handed pitcher signed by Brooklyn Dodgers scout Tom Downey in early 1945, when he was just sixteen. He debuted with the Dodgers that April as a teenage pinch-runner before the organization committed him to the mound, though Branch Rickey briefly tried to convert him to shortstop. Over ten major-league seasons (1945, 1947-1954 with Brooklyn and 1955-1956 with the Baltimore Orioles), Palica compiled a 41-55 record with a 4.22 ERA and 423 strikeouts in 246 games pitched. His finest year came in 1950, when he won 13 games with 10 complete games and two shutouts, and in the 1949 World Series he pitched in relief against the Yankees. His career was set back when manager Charlie Dressen publicly disparaged him in 1951, and he then lost most of 1952-1953 to U.S. Army service during the Korean War. Palica later pitched for years in the Pacific Coast League and died in 1982. This card sits in the fifth series of the landmark 1952 Topps set, the brand's first flagship issue; unlike the famously scarce high-number run of #311-407 (home to the iconic Mickey Mantle #311), a mid-series card like #273 was printed in comparatively greater quantity.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 566 | 2 | 2 | 52 | 107 | 121 | 117 | 162 | 3 |
| SGC | 78 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 39 | 3 |
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 Erv Palica card?
It is card #273 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Brooklyn Dodgers player.
Is the 1952 Topps Erv Palica 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.