Ted Kluszewski, nicknamed “Klu” or “Big Klu”, was a power hitter in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Cincinnati Reds from 1948-1961. Known for his prodigious home run and RBI totals, Kluszewski established himself as one of the game’s top sluggers in the 1950s. His prolific career made him a popular player to feature on baseball cards during his era of playing in the late 40s through early 60s. several iconic Ted Kluszewski baseball cards exist that devote collectors seek to this day.
One of Kluszewski’s earliest cards comes from 1949, his second season in the big leagues. Sporting a Reds uniform, the 1949 Bowman Gum Ted Kluszewski card shows a young Kluszewski smiling in a headshot with “Cincinnati” printed across the bottom. As one of Bowman’s more scarce early 1950s issues, high graded examples of this card can fetch well over $1000. Another early and significant Kluszewski card is from 1951, his breakout season where he led the NL in home runs and RBIs. The 1951 Bowman Ted Kluszewski card depicts a action shot of Klu at the plate. This influential card has remained a highly sought after piece for collectors through the decades.
1952 was a banner year for Kluszewski card issues, coinciding with his dominance on the field. Topps released its first polished baseball card set in 1952 after previously issuing cardboard posters and ticket cards. Naturally, Topps included one of the game’s premier power hitters in Ted Kluszewski, immortalizing him in the hallowed “design number 1” position. Highly coveted by collectors, gradeable examples of the pioneering 1952 Topps Ted Kluszewski card can sell for thousands. Around the same time, Bowman followed up on its previous Kluszewski releases with the 1952 Bowman card, once again presenting Klu in Reds crimson. Both 1952 Bowman and Topps cards established Kluszewski’s enduring presence and importance in the collectible card realm.
Kluszewski maintained star status through the mid 1950s, ensuring his continued appearances on some of the most recognizable vintage sets. The 1954 Topps Ted Kluszewski issue shows Klu connecting for a home run. Graded high copies achieve prices well into the four figure range. Topps also included Kluszewski in their pioneering 1954 Bowman Color process set. This eye catching card unveiled Klu in full color for the first time. Highgraded examples easily top $500 given the set’s significance. In 1956, Topps launched their pioneering design with the team logo incorporated into the player image area. The 1956 Topps Ted Kluszewski takes advantage of this classic template, with the “C” Reds mark dominating Klu’s action shot. This design has become one of the most identifiable in collecting history.
Even as Kluszewski’s playing career wound down in the late 1950s, he found a spot in several sets. In 1957, he received a card in the pioneering format of Topps’ 1957 design change to a vertical Card #1 look. Two years later, Topps featured Kluszewski once more in their 1959 issue set during what would be his final MLB season. Perhaps the most visually striking Kluszewski card comes from 1960, after he had retired from baseball. That year’s Topps release focused on past star players, boldly highlighting Klu’s image against a red backdrop for dramatic effect. Each of these late career cards serve as reminders of Kluszewski’s legendary status, even after leaving the diamond.
Following his playing days, Kluszewski stayed connected to the game through various post-career businesses and activities including a long stint in Reds broadcasting. His rich baseball heritage and continuing connections to Cincinnati ensured collectors remembered “Big Klu” for generations. High quality vintage Kluszewski cards from the 1950s are a fixture in today’s active trading card market. Even his more common 1960s and 1970s issues maintain steady collectors interest. For serious Reds and vintage card aficionados, acquiring a pristine Ted Kluszewski issue from his heyday as one of baseball’s top sluggers during the 1950s remains a prized achievement. Decades after his playing days ended, the icon of Ted Kluszewski lives on through his historically influential baseball cards.
