1952 Topps #5 Larry Jansen
About Larry Jansen
Larry Jansen was a control-artist right-handed pitcher signed out of Oregon by a Boston Red Sox scout in 1940, though he reached the majors only after starring for the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals, where he won 30 games in 1946. He debuted with the New York Giants in 1947 as a 27-year-old and immediately went 21-5 with a 3.16 ERA, leading the NL in winning percentage and finishing runner-up to Jackie Robinson for Rookie of the Year. A two-time All-Star (1950-51), he threw five scoreless relief innings with six strikeouts in the marathon 14-inning 1950 All-Star Game. In 1951 he tied for the NL lead with 23 wins and was the winning pitcher of record in the pennant playoff, having retired the Dodgers in order in the top of the ninth just before Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World." Teammate Monte Irvin dubbed the durable, dependable Jansen the Giants' "Meal Ticket." He pitched for New York through 1954 and closed his career with Cincinnati in 1956, going 122-89 with a 3.58 ERA and 842 strikeouts, then served many years as a pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants (1961-71) and Chicago Cubs (1972). Born in Verboort, Oregon in 1920, he died there in 2009. His card is a first-series number in the landmark 1952 Topps set, well below the scarce high-number run (#311-407) that includes the 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 | 729 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 98 | 141 | 166 | 275 | 3 |
| SGC | 125 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 34 | 61 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 67 · 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 Larry Jansen card?
It is card #5 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the New York Giants player.
Does the 1952 Topps Larry Jansen 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 Larry Jansen 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.