1953 Topps #4 Ben Wade
1953 Topps #4 Ben Wade
About Ben Wade
A right-handed pitcher out of Morehead City, North Carolina, Benjamin Styron Wade signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization as an amateur free agent before the 1940 season, with his climb interrupted by U.S. Army Air Force service from 1943 to 1945. He debuted in the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1948 and, after returning to the Dodgers, pitched five big-league seasons for Brooklyn (1952-54), the St. Louis Cardinals (1954) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (1955), finishing 19-17 with a 4.34 ERA and 235 strikeouts over 118 appearances. His best year was 1952, when he went 11-9 with a 3.60 ERA and even homered twice off Hall of Famer Warren Spahn on July 6; the Dodgers won the pennant that season. In the 1953 World Series -- his only postseason appearance, captured by this card -- he worked in relief as Brooklyn again fell to the Yankees in six games. Wade's larger legacy came off the field: hired as a Dodgers scout in 1962 and named director of scouting in 1973, he helped build clubs that won four World Series titles and is credited with signing future stars including Mike Piazza and Orel Hershiser. He died in Los Angeles in 2002.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 480 | 0 | 8 | 56 | 77 | 137 | 106 | 96 | 0 |
| SGC | 56 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 14 | 20 | 2 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1953 Topps Ben Wade card?
It is card #4 of the 1953 Topps Baseball set - one of the most beautiful sets ever made, with hand-painted color portraits numbered to 280 (274 cards issued). It pictures the Brooklyn Dodgers player.
Is the 1953 Topps Ben Wade valuable?
Value depends on grade and eye appeal. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.