This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/19/2012
Of more than 3,208 examples that have been evaluated and subsequently holdered by the hobby's premier grading service, this is one of only six examples of Steve Carlton’s 1965 Topps rookie card to achieve its phenomenal plateau. Carlton’s Major League debut is celebrated here by a perfectly centered, pack-fresh vision of bright gloss, sharp corners and impeccably registered, vibrant colors. Every facet of the card resounds GEM MINT perfection. A ferocious competitor with complete dedication to excellence, Carlton thrived on the mound by physically and mentally challenging himself off the field. His out-pitch, a hard, biting slider, complemented a great fastball. He won 329 games -- second only to Warren Spahn among lefties -- and his 4,136 strikeouts were exceeded only by Nolan Ryan at the time of his retirement. Lefty once notched 19 strikeouts in a game, compiled six 20-win seasons and was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards.