1952 Topps #283 Phil Masi
1952 Topps #283 Phil Masi
About Phil Masi
Phil Masi was a right-handed catcher discovered working in a Chicago butcher shop by former White Sox outfielder Johnny Mostil, who steered him to Wausau of the Northern League in 1936 — a beginning that earned him the nickname "Butcher Boy." He reached the majors with the Boston Braves in 1939 and spent most of his career (1939-1949) in Boston before finishing with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1949) and Chicago White Sox (1950-1952), the team pictured on this card. A steady handler of pitchers, Masi was a four-time All-Star (1945-1948) and the regular receiver on the 1948 Braves club that won the National League pennant. He is best remembered for the disputed pickoff play in Game 1 of the 1948 World Series: pinch-running at second, he was called safe by umpire Bill Stewart on a Bob Feller-to-Lou Boudreau throw that many believed nabbed him, then scored the game's only run on Tommy Holmes' single (Masi's will later conceded he had been out). Over 14 seasons and 1,229 games he batted .264 with 917 hits, 47 home runs, and 417 RBI. Card #283 is a scarcer Series 5 short-print in the landmark 1952 Topps set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
Short Print
Cards 281-300 were single-printed relative to the rest of series 5 — EXCEPT #289 Holmes, #295 Cavarretta and #296 Rolfe. 17 SP cards in all.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 582 | 1 | 11 | 79 | 93 | 129 | 130 | 137 | 2 |
| SGC | 79 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 23 | 31 | 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 Chicago White Sox cards
- Eddie Robinson
- Lou Kretlow
- Marv Rickert
- Chuck Stobbs
- Al Zarilla
- Ken Holcombe
- Bill Pierce
- Bill Kennedy
- Sherm Lollar
- Al Widmar
- Saul Rogovin
- Howie Judson
- Orestes Minoso
- Ray Coleman
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Phil Masi card?
It is card #283 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Chicago White Sox player.
Is the 1952 Topps Phil Masi 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.