1952 Topps #31 Gus Zernial
1952 Topps #31 Gus Zernial
About Gus Zernial
A broad-shouldered slugging left fielder from Beaumont, Texas, Gus Zernial began his pro career in 1942 and, after wartime military service, reached the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 1949. Traded early in 1951 to the Philadelphia Athletics, he led the American League with 33 home runs while pacing the majors with 129 RBI, edging Ted Williams in both categories. That same May he tied a big-league record by hitting six home runs in three consecutive games (adding a seventh in the fourth game). Zernial started in left field for the AL in the 1953 All-Star Game and set a career high with 42 homers that season. Nicknamed "Ozark Ike" by broadcaster Fred Haney after a blond comic-strip character during his 1948 stint with the Hollywood Stars, he stayed with the Athletics through their move to Kansas City before finishing with the Detroit Tigers (1958-1959). Over 11 seasons he batted .265 with 237 home runs and 776 RBI across 1,234 games, ranking among the decade's top power hitters. His 1952 Topps card (#31) memorably shows a bat with six baseballs attached, a nod to his 1951 power binge. He died in 2011.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
Black Back / Red Back Series 1 (cards 1-80)
Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
- Black Back — scarcer: First printing. Reverse printed in black ink. Scarcer, and typically carries a small premium over the red back.
- Red Back: Second printing onward. Reverse printed in red ink. The more common of the two.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 950 | 0 | 2 | 66 | 127 | 212 | 203 | 337 | 3 |
| SGC | 172 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 30 | 116 | 0 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 89 · Red Back 83
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 Gus Zernial card?
It is card #31 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Philadelphia Athletics player.
Does the 1952 Topps Gus Zernial have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
Is the 1952 Topps Gus Zernial 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.