Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1953 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Vic Janowicz
Position/Team: Catcher for Pirates
Card #: 222
Card Size: 2-5/8” x 3-3/4”
Card Value Snapshot: Raw/Ungraded: $30 | Grade 7: $385
⬇️ See More Pricing Data Below
Victor Felix “Vic” Janowicz was a legendary multi-sport athlete who won the 1950 Heisman Trophy as a halfback for Ohio State before embarking on a rare professional career in both Major League Baseball and the NFL.
After passing up initial pro football offers to pursue baseball, Janowicz signed a “bonus baby” contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953. His raw athleticism allowed him to play two seasons in the big leagues before returning to the gridiron, where he served as the starting halfback and primary placekicker for the Washington Redskins.
Janowicz stands out as one of the most multi-talented collegiate football players in history.
1950 Heisman Trophy Winner: As a junior halfback and punter at Ohio State, Janowicz put together one of the most dominant individual seasons in college football history. In a single 1950 game against Iowa, he passed for four touchdowns, ran for two more, kicked two extra points, and set a Big Ten record with two interception returns for touchdowns—all while handling punting duties.
Pirates MLB Stint (1953–1954): Signed as a bonus prospect by Pittsburgh, Janowicz appeared in 83 MLB games across two seasons as a catcher, third baseman, and outfielder, collecting 42 hits and 2 home runs.
NFL Success & Tragic Injury (1954–1955): Left baseball to join the Washington Redskins in late 1954. In 1955, he was Washington’s leading rusher and primary kicker, scoring 88 total points. His athletic career was abruptly halted in 1956 after he suffered a brain injury in a severe automobile accident.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
Tracking the current market value for the 1953 Topps Vic Janowicz Card #222. Below, find updated pricing data for ungraded (raw) copies, as well as verified PSA graded sales trends collected from secondary marketplaces.
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Raw/Ungraded: $30
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Grade 4: $100
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Grade 5: $130
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Grade 6: $250
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Grade 7: $385
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Grade 8: $3,000
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Grade 9: -
Data Updated: September 2026
➡️ See All 1953 Topps Rookie Card Prices
Pricing data includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
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