1952 Topps #79 Jerry Staley
About Jerry Staley
Signed off a semipro mound with the Boise Pilots of the Pioneer League in 1941, Gerald "Jerry" Staley reached the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1947 and pitched 15 big-league seasons (1947-1961) for six clubs, chiefly the Cardinals and Chicago White Sox. A sinkerball specialist with pinpoint control, he first starred as a starter, winning 19, 17 and 18 games from 1951 to 1953 and earning National League All-Star selections in 1952 and 1953 (he was picked again by the AL in 1960). Reinvented as a relief ace under manager Al Lopez, Staley anchored the 1959 "Go-Go" White Sox bullpen at age 38, going 8-5 with a 2.24 ERA and 14 saves while leading the majors in appearances. His signature moment came on September 22, 1959, when he threw one sinker to Vic Power and induced a double play that clinched Chicago's first pennant in 40 years. Staley finished 134-111 with a 3.70 ERA, 727 strikeouts and 61 saves, and was inducted into the Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. This card lists him as "Jerry," the name he personally preferred over "Gerry," and appears in the low-number first series with the classic black- and red-back color variations.
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 | 687 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 62 | 179 | 160 | 257 | 7 |
| SGC | 94 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 16 | 63 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 36 · Red Back 58
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 Jerry Staley card?
It is card #79 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the St. Louis Cardinals player.
Does the 1952 Topps Jerry Staley 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 Jerry Staley 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.