1952 Topps #38 Wally Westlake
1952 Topps #38 Wally Westlake
About Wally Westlake
Waldon Thomas "Wally" Westlake (1920-2019) was a right-handed outfielder who signed with Brooklyn as an amateur free agent in 1940 and sharpened his game in the Pacific Coast League with the Oakland Oaks, developing under manager Casey Stengel before reaching the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1947. Over a ten-year career (1947-1956) he also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies, batting .272 with 848 hits, 127 home runs, and 539 RBI in 958 games. His best years came in Pittsburgh, where he twice hit for the cycle — on July 30, 1948 against Brooklyn and again on June 14, 1949 against the Boston Braves — and he earned a National League All-Star selection in 1951. That June the Pirates traded him to the Cardinals, the team pictured on this 1952 Topps card. He later reached the 1954 World Series with Cleveland's 111-win pennant winners, and by his death in 2019 he was the last surviving member of that Indians World Series club. This is a Series 1 card, printed in both the black-back and red-back color variations found early in the set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
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 | 818 | 0 | 10 | 72 | 137 | 175 | 188 | 231 | 5 |
| SGC | 133 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 39 | 63 | 0 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 69 · Red Back 64
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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More St. Louis Cardinals cards
- Johnny Bucha
- Tommy Glaviano
- Enos Slaughter
- Cliff Chambers
- Eddie Stanky
- Jerry Staley
- Billy Johnson
- Al Schoendienst
- Del Rice
- Peanuts Lowrey
- George Munger
- Eddie Kazak
- Solly Hemus
- Joe Presko
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Wally Westlake card?
It is card #38 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.
Does the 1952 Topps Wally Westlake 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 Wally Westlake 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.