1952 Topps #272 Mike Garcia
About Mike Garcia
Edward Miguel "Mike" Garcia was a barrel-chested right-handed pitcher signed off the semipro fields of Tulare, California by scout Willis Butler; he broke into pro ball in 1942 with the Class D Appleton Papermakers, served in the Army Signal Corps during World War II (1942-1945), then climbed through the minors before reaching Cleveland in September 1948. He spent the bulk of a 14-year career (1948-1961) with the Indians, closing out with the White Sox and Washington Senators, and finished 142-97 with a 3.27 ERA and 1,117 strikeouts. Garcia won two ERA titles (2.36 in 1949 and 2.64 in 1954), posted 20-win seasons in 1951 and 1952 (22 wins), and was named to three straight All-Star teams from 1952 through 1954. Alongside Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, and Early Wynn he formed Cleveland's fabled "Big Four" rotation that carried the 1954 Indians to a then-AL-record 111 wins and the pennant, though the club was swept by the Giants in the World Series. Nicknamed "The Big Bear" by teammate Joe Gordon for his hulking frame and lumbering gait, Garcia is the only member of the Big Four not enshrined in Cooperstown, but he was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame. This card sits in the fifth series, comfortably below the scarce high-number run (#311-407) that includes the legendary Mickey Mantle #311. Garcia died in 1986 at age 62.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 506 | 1 | 2 | 37 | 68 | 126 | 106 | 164 | 2 |
| SGC | 75 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 40 | 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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Cleveland Indians cards
- Al Rosen
- Jim Hegan
- Merrill Combs
- Luke Easter
- Ray Boone
- Bob Kennedy
- Bob Feller
- Dale Mitchell
- Bob Chakales
- Pete Reiser
- Harry Simpson
- George Zuverink
- Mickey Harris
- George Stirnweiss
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Mike Garcia card?
It is card #272 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player.
Is the 1952 Topps Mike Garcia 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.