Esix Snead was a star pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1922-1935, spending the bulk of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. While he had a relatively short career by today’s standards at just 14 seasons, Snead put together some very impressive numbers that made him quite popular among fans and collectors during his playing days and in the decades since. As a result, Snead’s baseball cards have become highly sought after by vintage card collectors.
Snead made his MLB debut with the Brooklyn Robins in 1922 at age 22 after a standout career at Hampden–Sydney College. He would go on to play for the Robins/Dodgers for three seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925. It was in Pittsburgh where Snead would have the most success and produce his best seasons. He helped lead the Pirates to the 1927 World Series title against the Yankees.
Some of Snead’s career pitching stats are truly impressive. He compiled a career record of 198-150 with a 3.24 ERA over 3,572 innings pitched. He threw 30 or more complete games in seven different seasons and tossed 40 or more innings on four occasions. Snead’s best season came in 1929 when he went 23-8 with a 3.24 ERA and led the league with 7 shutouts. He was selected to the National League All-Star team three times in his career in 1929, 1930, and 1931.
Snead’s success on the field translated to high popularity among baseball card collectors even during his playing days in the 1920s and 30s. Some of the most notable and valuable Snead baseball cards include:
1922 E121 Striking Cabinets Candy – Snead’s rookie card, which is one of the key early vintage cards to own. High grade examples can fetch over $10,000.
1925 Diamond Stars – Snead’s first card as a member of the Pirates. Considered the premier vintage set of the 1920s and cards are highly valuable.
1929-31 Diamond Stars – Snead’s most productive seasons are featured in these iconic sets from the late 1920s/early 30s.
1933 Goudey Sport Kings – One of Snead’s last prominent baseball cards before retiring. Highly detailed and colorful design made these very popular.
1933 Goudey Mechanical Wood – Very rare subset featuring mechanical reproductions of players. Snead is a key card to find in this subset.
In the post-war era as interest in vintage cards grew tremendously, Snead’s cards continued to be in high demand. The 1952 Topps set featured a retired Snead card that is also widely collected today. Prices for Snead’s vintage cardboard steadily increased over the decades as the hobby boomed.
By the 1970s-80s, Snead was firmly established as one of the most important early Pirates stars and his cards were highly valued by enthusiasts. The surge of interest in vintage memorabilia in the late 20th century only served to drive prices up further. In the modern era, a Snead rookie or one of his prized 1920s/30s Diamond Stars cards would command thousands of dollars even in low grades.
Esix Snead’s impressive career stats, success with the Pirates’ 1927 title team, and memorable baseball card images have made him one of the true icons of early 20th century baseball history. The popularity of his vintage cards is a testament to how Snead’s legacy has stood the test of time with collectors. He remains one of the most prominent figures from the dawn of the modern baseball card era in the late 1910s and 1920s. Snead’s cards continue to be regarded as true treasures for any vintage collection.
