1952 Topps #43 Ray Scarborough
About Ray Scarborough
A right-handed pitcher out of Wake Forest, Rae Wilson "Ray" Scarborough was signed for the Washington Senators and debuted in June 1942, spending most of a ten-year career (1942-53) with Washington before stints with the White Sox, Red Sox, Yankees and Tigers. His finest season came in 1948, when he went 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA, and he earned his lone All-Star selection in 1950; overall he finished 80-85 with a 4.13 ERA over 318 games. A notorious Boston tormentor, he baffled Ted Williams so thoroughly that the Splendid Splinter said he'd be better off if Scarborough never pitched against him. Purchased by the New York Yankees at midseason 1952, Scarborough went 5-1 down the stretch and appeared in Game 1 of the 1952 World Series, working the eighth in relief and surrendering a home run to Pee Wee Reese; the Yankees still won the Series in seven. Nicknamed the "pickle-packing pitcher" for his offseason work with North Carolina's Mount Olive Pickle Company, he later became a respected scout. This card is a Series 1 issue and exists with both black-back and red-back printing variations.
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 | 730 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 94 | 148 | 161 | 297 | 2 |
| SGC | 84 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 50 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 45 · Red Back 39
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted. Totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Ray Scarborough card?
It is card #43 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Boston Red Sox player.
Does the 1952 Topps Ray Scarborough 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 Ray Scarborough 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 2026-10-05.