1952 Topps #262, Virgil Trucks ⭐
1952 Topps #160, Owen Friend ⭐
On December 4, 1952,the Detroit Tigers traded Virgil Trucks, who tossed two no-hitters during the year, along with 2 others to the St. Louis Browns for 2B Owen Friend and 2 others.

1952 Topps #313, Bobby Thomson ⭐
1952 Topps #274 Ralph Branca ⭐
Both are inseparably remembered for one famous moment in MLB history - October 3, 1951.
Neither are Hall of Famers, but both were legitimately good major league baseball players.
Branca was a three-time All-Star (1947–49) with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Thomson was a three-time All-Star and a consistently productive hitter.

1952 Topps #252, Vern Bickford ⭐
On November 30, 1953, Vern Bickford makes an official request to be traded or sold by the Braves.
Bickford played an important role on the “Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain” pitching staff and threw a no-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950. It was the first no-hitter by a Braves pitcher since 1916.

1952 Topps #26, Monte Irvin ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Let the infectious smile of Monte Irvin brighten your Wednesday!
This legendary Hall of Famer and MLB Pioneer played in the Negro League for Newark Eagles.
On July 8, 1949, Hank Thompson & Monte Irvin broke the color barrier for the NY Giants.
On October 4, 1951, during the opening game of the World Series between the New York Giants and the New York Yankees Monte Irvin was part of the first all-African American outfield in MLB history - along with Willie Mays and Hank Thompson.
As a member of The Greatest Generation, Monte served in the United States Army during WWII (1943 - 1945) and fought in The Battle of The Bulge alongside the grandfather of our Mantel hobby friend and colleague @Vohnhenk.
We owe a heavy debt to all those who sacrificed so much for our freedom, like Aaron's Grandpa Jenkins and Monte Irvin.

1952 Topps #27, Sam Jethroe Black Back ⭐ MLB Pioneer
It's always nice to start the day with a great smile, like this one from Sam Jethroe.
If you don't know much about Sam, aside from his great smile, here's a Reader's Digest.
Sam Jethroe was an outfielder & MLB Pioneer who became the first Black player in Boston Braves history when he debuted in 1950, breaking the team’s color barrier. Known for his blazing speed, he led the N.L. in stolen bases his first two seasons & won Rookie of the Year honors in 1950 at age 32. Before reaching the majors, Jethroe was a star in the Negro Leagues for the Cleveland Buckeyes & helped the Buckeyes win the 1945 Negro World Series championship.