Card Statistics
Lefty Grove is shown with the Philadelphia Athletics at the finish of his pitching motion, his throwing arm extended downward as his body turns across the mound. The pale uniform and dark belt are set against a broad green field and softly layered sky, giving the card a quieter, more open feeling than many of the more dramatic T3 compositions. The slightly relaxed finish to the delivery suits Grove well, suggesting control and balance rather than sheer force.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. Her handling of the uniform relies on restrained cream, gray, and pale blue washes, with darker accents in the belt, shoes, glove, and stockings providing structure. Warmer tones in the face and hands give the figure emphasis, while the background is kept broad and atmospheric. The watercolor medium gives the card a light, luminous surface that contrasts effectively with Grove’s reputation as one of the most overpowering pitchers of his era.
Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove was one of the dominant pitchers in baseball history. After starring for Baltimore in the International League, he joined Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics in 1925 and quickly became the leading power pitcher in the American League. Grove led the league in strikeouts in each of his first seven major-league seasons, won 20 or more games seven straight years, and captured the pitching Triple Crown in 1930 and 1931. He helped Philadelphia win three consecutive pennants from 1929 through 1931 and World Series championships in 1929 and 1930. Grove finished his career with exactly 300 victories and a .680 winning percentage, the highest among pitchers with 300 wins, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. (Society for American Baseball Research)
Numbered #52, the Grove card begins another particularly strong run of Philadelphia Athletics subjects within the T3 checklist. It joins earlier cards of Eddie Plank, Chief Bender, Jack Coombs, Frank Baker, Eddie Collins, and Jack Barry, while also carrying the Athletics story forward into Connie Mack’s second great dynasty of the late 1920s and early 1930s. For Philadelphia collectors, Grove provides one of the natural cornerstone cards of that later championship group. (Helmar Brewing Co.)
Produced in Helmar’s distinctive handcrafted tradition, the card combines original watercolor artwork, one of baseball’s greatest left-handed pitchers, and a vintage presentation modeled on the grand-format tobacco cards that inspired the T3 series.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: Tossing follow through
- Team: Philadelphia Athletics
- Population (# Sold): 20
- First Date Sold: 2020-04-21
- Latest Date Sold: 2025-06-11
- Card Status: Retired
- # Sold in past year: N/A
- Highest Auction: $ 102.51
- Average Auction Result: $ 36.04
Popularity Rankings
Visit these teammates on the Philadelphia Athletics in the T3-Helmar series
Click the Card # link to go to Card Info, Click the Player Name link to go the the Player Biography
- # 7, Frank BAKER (HOF)
- # 8, Eddie COLLINS
- # 19, Jack Barry
- # 20, Eddie PLANK (HOF)
- # 21, Jack Coombs
- # 22, Chief BENDER (HOF)
- # 53, Al SIMMONS (HOF)
- # 57, Mickey COCHRANE
- # 58, Joe Bush
- # 79, Lou Criger
- # 108, Harry Davis
- # 109, Bing Miller
- # 178, Fain, Ferris
- # 181, Harry Davis
- # 192, Bob Johnson
- # 218, Jimmie FOXX
