1952 Topps Lou Kretlow Card

The 1952 Topps baseball card collection is one of the most iconic and sought-after sets in the history of baseball card collecting. One of the many cherished cards in this set is card #42 featuring Louis Kretlow, an American Major League Baseball player who pitched for several teams throughout his career. In this article, we will delve into the life and career of Lou Kretlow, explore his MLB stats, and discuss the estimated value of this treasured baseball card.

Who was Lou Kretlow?

Louis Kretlow, commonly known as Lou Kretlow, was born on June 27, 1921, in Apache, Oklahoma. He was a right-handed pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1946 to 1956. Kretlow's professional baseball journey began when he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Detroit Tigers in 1941. After serving in the military during World War II, he returned to the game and made his MLB debut on April 18, 1946, for the Detroit Tigers. Throughout his career, Kretlow played for various teams, including the St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, and the Kansas City Athletics.

Lou Kretlow's MLB Stats

Kretlow's career in Major League Baseball lasted for 11 seasons. He played in 289 games and pitched a total of 1125.1 innings. His stats are as follows:

• Wins: 27

• Losses: 47

• Win-Loss Percentage: .365

• ERA (Earned Run Average): 4.87

• Complete Games: 23

• Shutouts: 3

• Innings Pitched: 1125.1

• Hits Allowed: 1144

• Runs Allowed: 665

• Earned Runs: 609

• Home Runs Allowed: 103

• Walks: 630

• Strikeouts: 558

• WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched): 1.577

• Hits per 9 Innings: 9.1

• Walks per 9 Innings: 5.0

• Strikeouts per 9 Innings: 4.5

• Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio: 0.89

It's worth noting that Kretlow was not only a pitcher but also occasionally played other positions in the field. He played as an outfielder in 4 games and as a first baseman in 2 games during his MLB career.

The 1952 Topps Lou Kretlow Card #42

In 1952, Topps released their first-ever set of baseball cards, which featured 407 cards with a horizontal layout and a colorful design. The cards included the player's photograph, name, position, and team, along with a facsimile autograph. The reverse side of the card displayed biographical information, statistics, and a cartoon related to the player.

The Lou Kretlow card #42 is part of this legendary set. At the time of the card's release, Kretlow was playing for the St. Louis Browns, a team that later relocated to Baltimore and became the Orioles. The card features a black and white photograph of Kretlow in his Browns uniform, ready to pitch. The design is simple yet striking, with Kretlow's name, position, and team displayed at the bottom of the card.

Estimated Value of the 1952 Topps Lou Kretlow Card #42

The value of a baseball card depends on various factors such as the card's rarity, condition, and the player's significance in the baseball world. The 1952 Topps Lou Kretlow card #42 is not as valuable as some of the other cards in the set, such as the legendary Mickey Mantle card #311. However, it still holds considerable value for collectors who appreciate the historical significance of the 1952 Topps set and Kretlow's contributions to the game.

The estimated value of the Lou Kretlow card #42 depends largely on the card's condition. Cards are graded on a scale from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint) by professional grading companies like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation). The higher the grade, the more valuable the card.

Here are some approximate values for the Lou Kretlow 1952 Topps card #42 based on their condition and grade:

• PSA/SGC 1 (Poor): $20 - $30

• PSA/SGC 3 (Very Good): $40 - $60

• PSA/SGC 5 (Excellent): $100 - $150

• PSA/SGC 7 (Near Mint): $250 - $350

• PSA/SGC 9 (Mint): $1,000 - $1,500

• PSA/SGC 10 (Gem Mint): $2,500 - $4,000

These values are only estimates, and the actual value of a specific card may vary depending on market demand and other factors. Keep in mind that ungraded cards or cards in lesser condition may still be desirable for collectors but will typically be worth less than the estimates provided above.

The 1952 Topps Lou Kretlow card #42 is a remarkable piece of baseball history that captures a moment in time for a talented Major League pitcher. Although Kretlow's career stats may not place him among the all-time greats, his contributions to the game and his inclusion in the iconic 1952 Topps set make his card a treasure for collectors and baseball enthusiasts alike. With a range of estimated values depending on the card's condition and grade, the Lou Kretlow card #42 serves as a testament to the rich history of both baseball and card collecting.