1952 Topps #71 Tom Upton
1952 Topps #71 Tom Upton
About Tom Upton
Thomas Herbert "Muscles" Upton (December 29, 1926 – March 24, 2008) was a right-handed shortstop from Esther, Missouri, who reached the majors after signing with the New York Yankees and beginning his pro career in the minor leagues in 1944. The Yankees lost him to the St. Louis Browns in the 1949 Rule 5 draft, and Upton made his big-league debut on April 19, 1950, stepping in as the Browns' regular shortstop as a rookie — batting .237 with two home runs and seven stolen bases in 389 at-bats, drawing 52 walks against just 45 strikeouts. He remained with the Browns in 1951 before moving to the Washington Senators, the team pictured on this card, for 1952; that stint was brief, as he went hitless in five at-bats over five games and was traded back to the Yankees on May 3, his April 30, 1952 appearance proving to be his final major-league game. Across three seasons (1950–1952) he played 181 games and hit .225 with 118 hits, 2 home runs, and 42 RBI. Card #71 sits in the first (low-number) series of the landmark 1952 Topps set and, like many first-series cards, exists with both black-back and red-back printing variations; it also serves as Upton's Topps rookie-era card. He was nicknamed "Muscles." Upton died in Downey, California, in 2008 at age 81.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
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 | 675 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 78 | 149 | 157 | 257 | 7 |
| SGC | 106 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 26 | 68 | 0 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 56 · Red Back 50
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 Upton card?
It is card #71 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Washington Senators player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Tom Upton 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 Tom Upton 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.