1952 Topps #109 Ted Wilks
About Ted Wilks
Theodore "Ted" Wilks (1915-1989), a right-handed pitcher from Fulton, New York, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after a 1937 Rochester Red Wings tryout camp. He debuted in 1944 at age 28 and delivered one of the great rookie seasons, going 17-4 with a 2.65 ERA and reeling off an eleven-game winning streak. That year the Cardinals beat the crosstown Browns for the World Series title, and Wilks won a second ring in 1946 over the Boston Red Sox. Arm trouble soon pushed him into the bullpen, where he thrived as St. Louis's "stopper"; catcher Joe Garagiola dubbed him "The Cork." He led the National League in saves twice (1949 and 1951, before saves were official). Across ten seasons (1944-1953) with the Cardinals, Pirates and Cleveland Indians he went 59-30 with a 3.26 ERA and 46 saves in 385 games, 341 in relief. He later coached in the majors and minors. This is a card from the second series of Topps' landmark 1952 flagship set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 823 | 0 | 3 | 54 | 115 | 205 | 166 | 276 | 4 |
| SGC | 109 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 18 | 22 | 59 | 0 |
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 Ted Wilks card?
It is card #109 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Pittsburgh Pirates player.
Is the 1952 Topps Ted Wilks 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.