1957 Topps #78 Vic Wertz
About Vic Wertz
Vic Wertz signed with Detroit in 1942, debuted with the Tigers in 1947, and developed into a four-time All-Star (1949, 1951, 1952, 1957) slugger. Traded to Cleveland in June 1954 and moved from the outfield to first base, he starred in Game 1 of that fall's World Series with four hits, including a 420-foot triple — yet is forever linked to the 450-foot eighth-inning drive Willie Mays ran down for "The Catch." Wertz took it in stride, noting the play guaranteed he would always be remembered. Struck by nonparalytic polio in August 1955, he was back by Opening Day 1956 and hit a career-high 32 home runs to win Comeback Player of the Year, then followed with 28 homers, 105 RBIs, and his final All-Star selection in 1957 — the season this card pictures him at first base for the Indians. He retired in 1963 with 266 home runs and 1,178 RBIs; his Wertz Warriors snowmobile ride later raised millions for Special Olympics Michigan.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 515 | 1 | 16 | 148 | 161 | 99 | 55 | 35 | 0 |
| SGC | 52 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-07-05. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded (the +/Q qualifier rows are excluded).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1957 Topps Vic Wertz card?
It is card #78 of the 1957 Topps Baseball set - the 407-card, 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inch set that was Topps' first at the modern standard card size, with full-color photography and complete career stats on the back. It pictures Vic Wertz, Cleveland Indians.
How many cards are in the 1957 Topps set?
407 numbered cards. Collectors usually count 408 because #176 Gene Baker exists in an error ('Bakep') and a corrected back. The PSA master set adds the 8 checklists, 4 contest cards and the Lucky Penny for 421 items.
Sources: PSA CardFacts, Beckett, BaseballCardPedia, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and hobby press-sheet research (Net54 / Topps Archives). Card data compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-10.