(LOT 161)
1952 Topps #87 Dale Coogan PSA 9 MINT
HIGH-GRADE COOGAN!!! Dale Coogan appeared in only 53 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1950 baseball season. Much of his career was spent in the minors. In a unique twist of fate, Coogan notched his first big league home run off Ralph Branca of the Brooklyn Dodgers on June 24th, and by the time the HR was officially recorded, he was playing for the Indianapolis Indians. (The game was halted due to rain and completed on August 1.) Over the course of his three-month stint in the Steel City, Coogan amassed 31 hits, 13 RBIs and a .240 batting average. There isn't a whole lot to say about the backup first baseman, and in fact, this description is nearly as long as his Wikipedia profile. However, there is something to say for the 1952 Topps #87 Dale Coogan PSA 9 MINT card offered here. This is one of only seven graded at this level with only a single example reaching the heralded GEM MINT 10 status. The face's virtual perfect centering, snow-white borders, brilliant color and flawless surface catches your eye immediately. Though the reverse features similar attributes, we can only assume that the off-centering from left to right, favoring the right edge, attests for this not achieving a GEM MINT grade. This one is wonderful and should be in the best of collections!

MIN BID $3,500
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