Carl Hubbell’s place in baseball history
Carl Hubbell’s Hall of Fame career is remembered for more than a championship ring, two MVP awards, and nine All-Star selections. His name also lives on through one of the most famous pitching performances in All-Star Game history, a stretch of dominance that helped define his legend and made his cardboard appearances especially appealing to collectors.
On July 10, 1934, at the Polo Grounds, Hubbell delivered a sequence that still stands out in baseball lore. In the second MLB All-Star Game, he struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in order. The feat came in front of more than 48,000 fans and remains one of the sport’s most memorable pitching displays.
That performance is only part of why Hubbell remains a favorite among vintage collectors. His cards appear in several important prewar sets, including some of the era’s most recognizable issues. Here are five of the most notable Carl Hubbell cards.
1933 Goudey #234
The 1933 Goudey #234 Carl Hubbell card is one of the pitcher’s most recognizable prewar issues. It shows Hubbell hatless with a classic red background, giving the card a clean and timeless look that fits one of the most celebrated sets of the era.
The 1933 Goudey set is often described as a living set, meaning the card text references accomplishments from the 1933 season. That detail adds to the card’s appeal, since it ties Hubbell’s cardboard appearance directly to the season that helped elevate his profile.
Market history for high-grade examples has been limited, but the card remains highly desirable in top condition. A PSA 9 last sold in 2019 for $19,200, while Card Ladder estimates that grade at $111,000. There is also a PSA 10 with no known public sale.
1933 Goudey #230
Hubbell also appears on another card in the 1933 Goudey checklist, this time on #230. Unlike the more relaxed portrait style of #234, this card captures him in mid-delivery, giving collectors a second look at the left-hander from the same landmark release.
The card reflects the growing attention Hubbell received after his 1933 season and World Series success. It is another example of how Goudey featured him prominently during a period when his reputation was rising quickly.
Related coverage includes Five Carl Hubbell Cards That Capture a Hall of Fame Legacy—and a Historic Strikeout Run.
A PSA 8 sold in January 2024 for $10,028. According to the source material, only two copies are graded higher, and neither PSA 9 has sold publicly.
1933 Sports Kings Gum #42
Carl Hubbell’s 1933 Sports Kings Gum #42 card comes from one of the more unusual multisport releases of the era. Sports Kings included subjects from several sports, with the checklist extending beyond baseball to football, basketball, wrestling, and even dog sled racing. Hubbell was one of 48 subjects included in the set.
The card adds another important prewar option for Hubbell collectors, especially those interested in cross-sport issues. It also stands out because Sports Kings cards remain a distinct part of vintage collecting history due to their broad subject mix.
Recent sales have shown wide variation by grade. A graded SGC 1 sold in February 2026 for $299. The all-time record mentioned in the source is a PSA 5 that sold for $699 in July 2023, while Card Ladder places a PSA 9 at $51,000.
1935 Diamond Stars #39
The 1935 Diamond Stars #39 card gives Hubbell a different look, showing him in a relaxed pose leaning against fencing with his New York Giants cap tilted to the side. The orange team name against the blue background gives the card strong visual contrast and makes it one of the more eye-catching Hubbell issues from the mid-1930s.
Although the Diamond Stars set was printed from 1934 to 1936, Hubbell’s card appears in the 1935 portion of the release. The image captures the style that made Diamond Stars a favorite among collectors of vintage color cards and ballpark scenes.
A PSA 8.5 sold for $4,267 in December 2025, according to the source material.
1941 Play Ball #6
The 1941 Play Ball #6 card shows Hubbell in full color and uses the same image seen on the 1940 Play Ball version, but with the added color treatment that gives the card a different feel. His follow-through is on full display, making it one of the more recognizable Hubbell cards from the early 1940s.
Play Ball was designed to compete with the major card issues of the time, and the 1941 set includes several Hall of Famers. Hubbell’s card fits neatly into that group and remains a strong option for collectors who want a colorful prewar example of the left-hander.
A PSA 9 sold for $2,640 in May 2020. Card Ladder places the value closer to $10,000 today.
Why Carl Hubbell cards still matter to collectors
Carl Hubbell’s legacy is built on more than a single afternoon, but the 1934 All-Star Game remains one of the defining moments of his career. Striking out Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin in order gave him a unique place in baseball history, and that fame carries over into the hobby.
His cards offer several entry points for collectors, from the iconic 1933 Goudey issues to the colorful 1941 Play Ball card. For vintage collectors, Hubbell represents a Hall of Fame pitcher whose cardboard history matches the strength of his on-field résumé.
With multiple classic prewar cards available across different price points and set styles, Hubbell continues to be a name worth knowing for anyone building a vintage baseball card collection.
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