1952 Topps #248 Frank Shea
1952 Topps #248 Frank Shea
About Frank Shea
Francis Joseph "Spec" Shea (1920-2002) was a right-handed pitcher from Naugatuck, Connecticut, who signed with the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1940 before losing three years to Army service during World War II. He debuted in 1947 and delivered one of the great rookie seasons of the era, going 14-5 with a 3.07 ERA for the pennant-winning Yankees and leading the American League in winning percentage. That July he became the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game, and he finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting behind Jackie Robinson. In the 1947 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers he started three games and won two (Games 1 and 5) as the Yankees took the title in seven. Nicknamed "Spec" for his freckles and dubbed "The Naugatuck Nugget" by broadcaster Mel Allen for his hometown, Shea battled arm and neck trouble afterward and was traded to the Washington Senators in May 1952, the year of this Topps card. He rebounded with 11-7 and 12-7 seasons in Washington and pitched through 1955, finishing 56-46 with a 3.80 ERA and 361 strikeouts over eight seasons.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 645 | 0 | 4 | 52 | 100 | 158 | 151 | 177 | 3 |
| SGC | 106 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 32 | 59 | 0 |
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 Frank Shea card?
It is card #248 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Washington Senators player.
Is the 1952 Topps Frank Shea 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.