1952 Topps #344 Ewell Blackwell
1952 Topps #344 Ewell Blackwell
About Ewell Blackwell
Ewell Blackwell was a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher signed out of California by Reds scout Pat Patterson for a $750 bonus, reaching the majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 1942. Nicknamed "The Whip" for his whipping sidearm delivery -- one observer said it looked "like a man falling out of a tree" -- he intimidated hitters through a career spanning 1942 and 1946-1955 with the Reds, New York Yankees, and Kansas City Athletics, going 82-78 with a 3.30 ERA and 839 strikeouts. Blackwell was a six-time consecutive All-Star (1946-1951), the first National Leaguer selected six years running, and won the 1950 All-Star Game. His 1947 season was legendary: he led the NL with 22 wins, 193 strikeouts, and 23 complete games during a 16-decision winning streak, threw a 6-0 no-hitter against the Boston Braves on June 18, then took a no-hitter into the ninth four days later before Eddie Stanky broke it up -- just missing Johnny Vander Meer's back-to-back feat. Traded to the Yankees in 1952, he earned a World Series ring that fall and started Game 5. Arm trouble shortened his career, and he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1960. As a scarce high-number card (#311-407, printed in far smaller quantities and famously dumped, making them rare today), #344 remains a tougher find for set builders.
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 | 515 | 0 | 5 | 36 | 46 | 90 | 96 | 239 | 3 |
| SGC | 111 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 20 | 71 | 7 |
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 Ewell Blackwell card?
It is card #344 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 Ewell Blackwell 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.