1952 Topps #80 Herman Wehmeier
About Herman Wehmeier
Herman "Herm" Wehmeier was a right-handed pitcher born in Cincinnati in 1927, signed by his hometown Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent out of Western Hills High School before the 1945 season after turning down college football scholarships. He debuted at 18 and became a rotation fixture from 1948 to 1952, but chronic wildness dogged him: he led the National League in walks in 1949, 1950 and 1952, and endured such savage booing at Crosley Field that GM Gabe Paul said he had never heard a man booed as bitterly. Over 13 seasons (1945, 1947-58) with the Reds, Phillies, Cardinals and Tigers he went 92-108 with a 4.80 ERA and 794 strikeouts across 1,803 innings. He was famously winless against the Cardinals before they acquired him, then rewarded them in 1956 with a 12-inning shutout duel against Warren Spahn. Later a Reds scout, he helped recommend fellow Western Hills product Pete Rose. Wehmeier died in 1973 at age 46, stricken while testifying at a trial. Card #80 is a Series 1 issue, found with both black-back and red-back printing rather than the scarce high-number series (#311-407) that includes the set's iconic Mickey Mantle.
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 | 898 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 77 | 143 | 223 | 434 | 5 |
| SGC | 101 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 64 | 4 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 37 · Red Back 64
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted. Totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Herman Wehmeier card?
It is card #80 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cincinnati Reds player.
Does the 1952 Topps Herman Wehmeier 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 Herman Wehmeier 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 2026-10-05.