Ted Williams is considered one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history. From 1938 to 1960, Williams dazzled fans as a power-hitting left fielder for the Boston Red Sox organization. His prolific baseball career has been commemorated through numerous baseball cards issued over the decades he played. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable and valuable Ted Williams baseball cards organized by their year of release:
1939 Play Ball – Williams’ rookie card from 1939 Play Ball is one of the key cards from his earliest years in the majors. The simple design highlights Williams’ stats from his 1938 debut season which was cut short due to an injury. Graded PSA 10 examples of this tough early Williams card have sold for over $50,000 in recent years.
1948 Bowman – Ted Williams’ 1948 Bowman card is one of the most iconic from the post-war era. The dramatic photo shows Williams mid-swing with his distinctive high leg kick. Nearly flawless PSA 10 copies have reached the $100,000 price point. Even well-centered examples in PSA 8 condition command several thousand dollars.
1949 Bowman – Similar to the 1948 issue but with a different photo, the 1949 Bowman Williams card remains a highly sought after piece for collectors. High grades still trade in the five figure range.
1952 Topps – Ted Williams’ first Topps card was released in the inaugural Topps baseball set of 1952. The simple black and white design highlights his profile and stats from 1951. Highly graded 1952 Ted Williams in a PSA 10 can sell for over $50,000.
1953 Topps – Another classic from the early Topps years. Williams’ follow up card in 1953 featured a similar single image design. Like the 1952, pristine PSA 10 examples command top dollar at auction in the $40,000+ range.
1954 Topps – Topps released its first color baseball cards in 1954. Williams’ vibrant card that year takes on added appeal for collectors. A PSA 10 grade 1954 Ted Williams in color can exceed $100,000 at auction.
1956 Topps – Williams won the AL batting title in 1956, earning recognition on this eye-catching vintage card. Seen smiling in action atop a vivid yellow and blue backdrop, the 1956 is highly collected even in lower grades.
1960 Topps – Williams’ 1960 card marked his final season before retirement. The dramatic action shot evoking his lifetime of hard-hit balls is a favorite among collectors. High grades in the PSA 8-9 range still attain mid-five figure prices.
1969 Topps – After coaching for a few seasons, Ted Williams returned to cards in the late 1960s via his managerial issue. Seen in the Red Sox dugout, the 1969 commemorates an icon still involved in the game nearly a decade after his playing days ended.
1971 Topps – A final Williams card over a decade past his career, the 1971 issue honors the Hall of Famer in a classic horizontal full figure pose. Still attracting attention, choice PSA 9+ examples can fetch $1000+.
Throughout his multi-decade career, Ted Williams established himself as one of the game’s all-time great hitters and one of its all-time best sports card subject matters. His baseball cards through the 1930s-1970s chronicle the evolution of the mass-produced baseball card era and remain among the most recognized, collected, and highest valued in the hobby. Whether a stalwart early issue like the 1939 Play Ball rookie or a modern century icon like the vibrant 1954 Topps color card, Ted Williams baseball cards hold a special place in memories of the Golden Splinter and Red Sox glory days of baseball’s past. Condition sensitive issues like those described here will surely retain their luster as prized possessions of Williams collectors for generations to come.
