1965 Topps #477 Cardinals Rookies Steve Carlton ROOKIE PSA NM-MT 8

1965 Topps #477 Cardinals Rookies PSA 8 – The Rookie Card of Hall of Fame Southpaw Steve Carlton

Among the standout rookie cards of the 1960s, the 1965 Topps #477 Cardinals Rookies card holds a special place—it marks the cardboard debut of Steve Carlton, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history. At the time, Carlton was just a promising 20-year-old hoping to crack the rotation, but his future would be nothing short of extraordinary. Over the next two decades, he racked up 329 career wins, 4 Cy Young Awards, 10 All-Star selections, and a staggering 4,136 strikeouts, trailing only Nolan Ryan at the time of his retirement.

This PSA 8 example is a high-end version of a rookie card that often suffers from print defects and centering issues. The surface is clean, edges sharp, and the vivid Cardinals red banner pops boldly. Carlton is joined by Fritz Ackley and Mike Cuellar, adding a bit of historical depth, as Cuellar would go on to win a Cy Young Award himself.

Every Hall of Fame collection needs a Carlton rookie—and this high-grade beauty delivers both historical weight and visual punch. A true cornerstone card from a golden era of Topps rookies.