1953 Topps #28 Eddie Pellagrini
1953 Topps #28 Eddie Pellagrini
About Eddie Pellagrini
A Boston-born, right-handed utility infielder, Eddie Pellagrini was signed by Red Sox scout Hugh Duffy in 1938 and worked through the minors—including the Pacific Coast League's San Diego Padres—before Navy service in World War II (1942-1945) delayed his big-league debut. That debut became instant folklore: on April 22, 1946, Pellagrini homered in his first major-league at-bat off the Senators' Sid Hudson at Fenway Park, the winning margin and a feat then achieved by only a handful of players. Primarily a shortstop but also seeing time at second and third, he spent eight seasons (1946-1954) with five clubs—the Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Pirates—finishing at .226 with 20 home runs and 133 RBI over 563 games. His 1953 Topps card (#28) pictures him with the Cincinnati Reds, the team he played for in 1952 before moving to Pittsburgh. Nicknamed "Pelly" and later remembered by SABR as "Mr. Class," he became a beloved fixture as Boston College's head baseball coach from 1958 to 1990.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 454 | 1 | 10 | 51 | 103 | 128 | 73 | 88 | 0 |
| SGC | 54 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 12 | 18 | 1 |
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 Eddie Pellagrini card?
It is card #28 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 Cincinnati Reds player.
Is the 1953 Topps Eddie Pellagrini 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.