1952 Topps #12 Monty Basgall
1952 Topps #12 Monty Basgall
About Monty Basgall
Romanus "Monty" Basgall (1922-2005), born in the tiny German-Catholic village of Pfeifer, Kansas, attended Sterling College and signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1942 before losing three years to U.S. Army service during World War II. Resuming his career in 1946, the right-handed second baseman reached the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates, appearing in 200 games across three seasons (1948-49 and 1951). His best year came in 1949, when he was Pittsburgh's regular second baseman for 98 of the club's 154 games; a light hitter, he batted just .215 for his career with 110 hits, 4 home runs, and 41 RBI. This 1952 Topps card is Basgall's rookie card, issued the same year his big-league playing days ended. His lasting baseball legacy came in the dugout: after managing in the minors — where he helped convert Bill Russell and Davey Lopes into middle infielders — he returned to the Dodgers as bench and infield coach (1973-1986) under Hall of Fame managers Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda, working four National League pennant winners (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981) and earning a World Series ring with the 1981 champions. He was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1961.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
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 | 633 | 0 | 5 | 26 | 66 | 105 | 137 | 289 | 5 |
| SGC | 90 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 68 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 49 · Red Back 41
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 Monty Basgall card?
It is card #12 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Pittsburgh Pirates player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Monty Basgall 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 Monty Basgall 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.