You’ve probably seen the name. Maybe you were digging through a dusty shoebox at a garage sale or scrolling through an eBay listing that seemed a little too cheap. Phil Regan. He isn’t Mickey Mantle. He’s not Sandy Koufax. But for collectors who actually know their 1960s history, a Phil Regan baseball card is a quiet essential for any serious set.
Phil "The Vulture" Regan earned that nickname for a reason. He had this uncanny, almost frustrating ability to swoop into a game late, pitch a few innings, and walk away with the win while the starter did all the heavy lifting. In 1966, he went 14-1 with a 1.62 ERA for the Dodgers. That’s insane. Honestly, if you’re looking for a card that captures the transition from the "glamour" era of the 50s to the gritty relief pitching of the 70s, Regan is your guy.
The 1961 Topps Rookie Card: The One to Get
If you’re starting out, the 1961 Topps #439 is the big one. It’s his rookie card. It’s got that classic 1961 vertical layout—clean, simple, and very "early 60s Detroit Tigers."
Most of these you’ll find are "raw" (ungraded) and usually run between $5 and $15. Not going to break the bank. But wait. If you find one in a PSA 9 or 10? That’s a whole different ballgame. A PSA 10 rookie sold for over **$1,500** not too long ago.
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Why the jump? Because 1961 Topps are notorious for centering issues. You’ll see a lot of "OC" (off-center) qualifiers on these. Finding a Phil Regan rookie with perfect 50/50 borders is surprisingly hard. It’s basically the "budget" white whale for Tigers fans.
The Vulture Years: Dodgers and Cubs Gems
After Detroit, Regan headed to the National League. This is where he became a legend of the bullpen.
- 1966 Topps #347: This is his first card as a Los Angeles Dodger. It’s a beautiful card, but here’s the kicker: the 1966 set is famous for its "high numbers" being scarce, but Regan’s card is right in the middle. It’s accessible. You can grab a sharp EX-MT copy for under $20.
- 1967 Topps #130: If you like high-grade stuff, keep an eye on this one. PSA 10s of his '67 card have cleared $300. For a common player, that’s a lot of respect.
- 1969 Topps #535: This is a "High Number" card. In the vintage world, the later series (cards #500 and up) were printed in smaller quantities because kids were already thinking about football by then. Consequently, his 1969 Cubs card is tougher to find than his earlier stuff.
What Most People Get Wrong About Value
I see this all the time. People think because a player isn't in the Hall of Fame, the card is worthless. Wrong.
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Collectability often comes down to "Set Fillers." There are thousands of people trying to complete "Master Sets" of 1961 or 1962 Topps. They need a clean Phil Regan to finish that page. If your card has sharp corners and no wax stains on the back, you have something people want.
Also, don't sleep on the 1962 Post Cereal #24. It’s not a Topps card; it was literally cut off the back of a cereal box. Most of them look like they were trimmed by a toddler with safety scissors. If you find one with decent "borders," it’s a weirdly cool piece of history that usually out-values his standard '62 Topps card.
Condition is Everything (Seriously)
Vintage cards are fragile. The card stock Topps used in the 60s was essentially recycled trash.
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- Chipping: Especially on the 1962 Topps set (the wood-grain border), the edges flake off if you even look at them funny.
- Centering: Topps' cutting machines in the 60s were... let's say "imprecise."
- Wax Stains: Back in the day, these cards came with a slab of pink bubble gum. That gum had oil. That oil seeped into the card. A big brown stain on the back of your Regan card will tank the value by 50% instantly.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
If you've got a Phil Regan baseball card or you're looking to buy one, here is exactly what you should do next.
Check the back for a "Printed in Canada" line. If it says that, you have an O-Pee-Chee version. These are much rarer than the standard Topps cards and usually carry a 2x or 3x price premium.
Look at the corners under a magnifying glass (or just the zoom on your phone). If they are "fuzzy" or rounded, it’s a "Very Good" (VG) card at best. If they are sharp enough to poke a finger, you might want to consider grading it.
Lastly, if you're buying, look for "Lots." Sometimes you can find a lot of 10 or 20 Detroit Tigers "commons" from the 60s for $30. Usually, there's a Phil Regan tucked in there. It’s way cheaper than buying him individually.
Vintage collecting isn't just about the million-dollar Mantles. It’s about the guys like Regan who held the game together. Owning his card is like owning a piece of the 1966 Dodgers' magic, and honestly, that's worth more than the ten bucks you'll pay for it.