1952 Topps #244 Vic Wertz
1952 Topps #244 Vic Wertz
About Vic Wertz
Vic Wertz was a power-hitting outfielder and first baseman who signed with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent at age 17 in 1942, debuting in the majors on April 15, 1947. Batting left-handed and throwing right-handed, the York, Pennsylvania native played 17 seasons for the Tigers, St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, retiring with a .277 average, 266 home runs and 1,178 RBI. A four-time All-Star (1949, 1951, 1952 and 1957), he hit for the cycle as a rookie in 1947 and homered in five consecutive games in 1950, tying a major-league record. Wertz is best remembered as the batter whose ~420-foot Game 1 drive to the Polo Grounds' deep center field became "The Catch" when Willie Mays hauled it in over his shoulder during the 1954 World Series; Wertz nonetheless batted .500 in that Series and said he was "very proud" to be linked to the famous play. After contracting polio in 1955 that briefly paralyzed his left leg, he returned in 1956 to slug 32 home runs and win Comeback Player of the Year. He died in Detroit in 1983. This card falls in the fourth-series ranks of Topps' landmark 1952 flagship set, well ahead of the scarce high-number run (#311, the iconic Mickey Mantle, through #407) that was printed in far smaller quantities.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 660 | 1 | 5 | 60 | 116 | 153 | 124 | 199 | 2 |
| SGC | 109 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 33 | 49 | 4 |
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 Vic Wertz card?
It is card #244 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Detroit Tigers player.
Is the 1952 Topps Vic Wertz 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.