1953 Topps #201 Paul LaPalme
1953 Topps #201 Paul LaPalme
About Paul LaPalme
Paul Edmore "Lefty" LaPalme was a left-handed knuckleball specialist born December 14, 1923, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He broke into pro ball in 1941 at age 17 with the Bristol Twins of the Appalachian League, then served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 during World War II before resuming his climb through the minors. LaPalme reached the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 28, 1951, announcing himself with a five-hit shutout of the Boston Braves at Braves Field. He spent seven big-league seasons with the Pirates (1951-54), St. Louis Cardinals (1955-56), Cincinnati Redlegs (1956), and Chicago White Sox (1956-57), working as both a starter and reliever. His finest year came in the Cardinals' bullpen in 1955, when he went 4-3 with a 2.75 ERA and three saves in 56 relief appearances. Over 253 games (94 starts) he compiled a 24-45 record with a 4.42 ERA, 277 strikeouts, and one shutout across 616.1 innings. This 1953 Topps card (#201) captures him in his early Pittsburgh years. After baseball he ran LaPalme Engravers in Leominster, Massachusetts, where he died February 7, 2010.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 467 | 1 | 5 | 57 | 97 | 139 | 88 | 80 | 0 |
| SGC | 58 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 23 | 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 Paul LaPalme card?
It is card #201 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 Pittsburgh Pirates player.
Is the 1953 Topps Paul LaPalme 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.