1952 Topps #304 Sam Dente
1952 Topps #304 Sam Dente
About Sam Dente
Sam Dente was a slick-fielding shortstop from Harrison, New Jersey, first signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1941 before catching on with the Boston Red Sox organization, where he starred at Scranton after returning from World War II service. He reached the majors with Boston in 1947 and played nine seasons (1947-1955) for the Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians. A glove-first utility infielder often tagged "good-field, no-hit," Dente enjoyed his best year with the 1949 Senators, batting a career-high .273 with 24 doubles and 53 RBI in 153 games, and drew American League MVP consideration in 1950. His steady defense inspired the enduring Washington fan slogan, "We'll win plenty with Sam Dente." He is pictured here with the White Sox, the club he joined in 1952. Dente's career highlight came with the 1954 Cleveland Indians, who won an AL-record 111 games; pressed into the everyday shortstop job after George Strickland's injury, he hit .266 in 68 games and appeared in that year's World Series against the New York Giants. For his career he batted .252 with 585 hits, 4 home runs, and 214 RBI, and was famously difficult to strike out. He is the grandfather of Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello. Dente died in 2002.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 524 | 0 | 8 | 55 | 95 | 122 | 100 | 143 | 1 |
| SGC | 77 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Sam Dente card?
It is card #304 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 Sam Dente 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.