1952 Topps #334 Wilmer Mizell
1952 Topps #334 Wilmer Mizell
About Wilmer Mizell
Signed by Cardinals scout Buddy Lewis for $500 the same night he graduated high school in 1949, Wilmer David Mizell rocketed through the minors, fanning 257 batters for the Houston Buffaloes in 1951 before debuting for St. Louis on April 22, 1952. The hard-throwing left-hander spent nine big-league seasons (1952-1962) with the Cardinals, Pirates and Mets, missing 1954-1955 to Army service, and finished 90-88 with a 3.85 ERA and 918 strikeouts over 268 appearances. He earned an All-Star nod in 1959 and, after a 1960 trade to Pittsburgh, helped the Pirates win the World Series that fall against the Yankees, capped by Bill Mazeroski's Game 7 walk-off. His memorable nickname came from tiny Vinegar Bend, Alabama, near his Mississippi birthplace, where he received his mail. After baseball he served three terms as a Republican U.S. congressman from North Carolina (1969-1975). This is Mizell's rookie card, and as part of the scarce high-number series (#311-407, printed in far smaller quantities and famously dumped), it is considerably harder to find than the set's lower numbers.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number
Series 6 (311-407). Minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 when retailers cut orders — the scarcest and most coveted run in the set, holding Mantle, Robinson, Campanella, the Mathews rookie and more.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 474 | 2 | 3 | 35 | 54 | 91 | 88 | 195 | 6 |
| SGC | 97 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 24 | 52 | 7 |
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 Wilmer Mizell card?
It is card #334 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.
Why is this card scarce?
It is in the 1952 Topps high-number series (311-407), which was minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 and is the scarcest, most sought-after run in the set.
Is the 1952 Topps Wilmer Mizell 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.