1952 Topps #199 George Zuverink
About George Zuverink
A right-handed relief pitcher born in Holland, Michigan, George Zuverink was discovered pitching during his World War II Army Air Corps service in the Pacific and worked his way through the Cleveland Indians' farm system (Spartanburg, Oklahoma City, San Diego) before debuting with Cleveland on April 21, 1951. Over parts of eight seasons (1951-52, 1954-59) he pitched for the Indians, Cincinnati Redlegs, Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles, going 32-36 with a 3.54 ERA and 223 strikeouts in 265 appearances, mostly out of the bullpen. He found his niche in Baltimore, where in 1956 he led the American League with 62 appearances and 16 saves, anchoring the young Orioles' bullpen. Nicknamed "Zoove," he was so identified with the relief corps that broadcaster Chuck Thompson dubbed the Baltimore pen the "Zoov-rink"; in 1957 he and teenage catcher Frank Zupo formed the first battery in big-league history with both surnames beginning in "Z." This 1952 Topps card is Zuverink's rookie card in the landmark first Topps flagship set. He was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and died in 2014 at age 90.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 664 | 0 | 4 | 48 | 122 | 159 | 152 | 174 | 5 |
| SGC | 98 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 33 | 42 | 2 |
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 George Zuverink card?
It is card #199 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1952 Topps George Zuverink 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.