On Display: 1962 Topps Star Rookie Gaylord Perry PSA 9 MINT
Issued: 1962 by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc.
Card Number: #199
Population: Highest Graded Known
Career Highlights: 2x Cy Young Winner | 5x All-Star | Hall of Fame Inductee, 1991
“They’ll never let me in the Hall of Fame. I’m the only guy who made a living throwing a ball that wasn’t there.” – Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Perry’s legacy in Major League Baseball is marked by brilliance, durability, and a mystique that became part of the game’s folklore. Despite long-standing rumors of doctoring baseballs—most famously the spitball—Perry was ejected only once for the offense during his 22-season career. Far from shying away from the controversy, he leaned into it, even titling his autobiography Me and the Spitter and famously contacting Vaseline for a potential endorsement.
Yet beyond the stories and speculation, Perry was undeniably one of the game’s great pitchers. He became the first player in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues, earning the honor in:
He retired with a staggering 314 career wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 career ERA, earning induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
This 1962 Topps #199 Rookie Card, graded PSA 9 MINT, is the finest known example in existence. Among one of the most condition-sensitive postwar sets—owing to its delicate faux-woodgrain borders—this card defies the odds with:
A vital piece of baseball and hobby history, this card not only honors Perry’s storied career but also exemplifies the excellence and rarity sought by elite collectors. It stands as a pristine reminder of a pitcher whose dominance transcended the mound—and whose legend continues to spark conversation decades later.