1952 Topps #242 Tom Poholsky
1952 Topps #242 Tom Poholsky
About Tom Poholsky
Thomas George Poholsky (1929-2001), a 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher out of Detroit, was a prodigy who reportedly made his professional debut at age 15 with the Durham Bulls of the Class C Carolina League during World War II. After his release from Boston's organization in 1947, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and blossomed in the minors, compiling an 80-54 record and winning the 1950 International League Most Valuable Player Award with the Rochester Red Wings. That same summer he authored one of the minors' iron-man feats, pitching all 22 innings of an August 13, 1950 game against Jersey City, working 20 scoreless frames as Rochester won 3-2. Poholsky reached the majors with the Cardinals in 1950 and pitched parts of six big-league seasons for St. Louis (1950-51, 1954-56) and the Chicago Cubs (1957), his prime interrupted by military service that cost him the 1952 and 1953 campaigns. He appeared in 159 games (104 as a starter), finishing 31-52 with a 3.93 ERA and 316 strikeouts, never enjoying a winning MLB season despite his dominance in the high minors. His 1952 Topps card (#242) is his rookie card, a mid-set fourth-series issue from Topps' landmark first flagship set. He was inducted into the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1990.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 523 | 0 | 6 | 36 | 87 | 122 | 131 | 139 | 2 |
| SGC | 83 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 27 | 41 | 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 Tom Poholsky card?
It is card #242 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the St. Louis Cardinals player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1952 Topps Tom Poholsky 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.