Helmar “This Great Game” Card #16 – Ken Boyer (St. Louis Cardinals)

This elegant Helmar art card portrays Ken Boyer, the stalwart third baseman and team leader of the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1950s and 1960s. The artwork captures Boyer in mid-preparation at the plate, his stance grounded in strength and focus, the bat angled forward in quiet readiness. The artist balances realism with stylization—the sharp lines of the uniform, the vibrant red of the cardinal-on-bat logo, and the calm, determined expression that defined Boyer’s demeanor on the field. A vivid blue sky and the distant scoreboard lend depth to the composition, while the muted tones of the infield frame the player in timeless balance. As with all of Helmar’s “This Great Game” portraits, the card radiates both nostalgia and precision, recalling the golden era of baseball through color and form.

Kenneth Boyer was born in 1931 in Liberty, Missouri, one of seven brothers who all played professional baseball. After debuting with the Cardinals in 1955, he became one of the National League’s premier all-around players—a model of consistency at the hot corner. Boyer was named to eleven All-Star teams, won five Gold Gloves, and served as a captain and steadying influence for St. Louis throughout the decade. In 1964, he captured the National League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting .295 with 24 home runs and 119 RBIs, leading the Cardinals to a World Series title. That October, Boyer’s dramatic grand slam in Game 4 of the World Series became one of the defining moments in franchise history. Known equally for his professionalism and quiet leadership, Boyer later managed the Cardinals, extending his legacy beyond his playing days.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series celebrates baseball’s heroes through richly detailed, hand-painted imagery inspired by vintage gum cards. Each limited edition card is printed on heavy, lightly aged stock, merging fine art and baseball heritage. Card No. 16 honors Ken Boyer—an exemplar of strength, integrity, and timeless Cardinal tradition.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.