1952 Topps #220 Joe Presko
1952 Topps #220 Joe Presko
About Joe Presko
Joseph Edward "Baby Face" Presko was born October 7, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1948. A right-handed pitcher who stood just 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds — earning nicknames "Baby Face," "Baby Joe," and "Little Joe" for his slight, youthful frame — he debuted on May 3, 1951. As a rookie he impressed with a 7-4 record and 3.45 ERA in 15 games, then went 7-10 in 1952. Used mostly as a Cardinals starter from 1951 to 1954, he later relieved for the Detroit Tigers in 1957-58, finishing 25-37 with a 4.61 ERA, 202 strikeouts, and 5 saves over 128 games. This 1952 Topps card (#220, Series 4) is his flagship rookie-era issue. After retiring in 1959, Presko coached American Legion ball back home, mentoring a young David Cone. He died February 5, 2019, in Kansas City.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 613 | 0 | 4 | 52 | 126 | 158 | 129 | 137 | 7 |
| SGC | 93 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 26 | 41 | 1 |
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 Joe Presko card?
It is card #220 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, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1952 Topps Joe Presko 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.