1948 Leaf Marty Marion Rookie Card #97

Manufacturer: Leaf (Chicago Leaf Gum Company)
Set: 1948 Leaf Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Martin Marion
Position/Team: Shortstop for Cardinals
Card #: 97
Card Size: 2-3/8” x 2-7/8”
Card Value Snapshot: Raw/Ungraded: $20 | Grade 7: -
⬇️ See More Pricing Data Below

Martin Whiteford “Marty” Marion—legendarily nicknamed “The Octopus” and “Slats”—was one of the premier defensive shortstops in Major League Baseball history.

Standing a tall, lanky 6’2″ during an era when shortstops were traditionally much smaller, Marion possessed an incredibly wide wingspan, dynamic range, and soft, sure hands. He used his long arms to scoop up hard-hit grounders as if they were tentacles, dominating the National League defensively throughout the 1940s. He anchored three World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals teams and became a rare defensive specialist to capture a league MVP award.

While offensive juggernauts typically dominate MVP voting, Marion’s defensive brilliance was so undeniable that it earned him the National League’s highest individual honor in 1944.

The Campaign: Marion batted a respectable .267 with 26 doubles and 63 RBIs. However, it was his flawless play at shortstop that carried St. Louis to a 105–49 record.

The Voting: In one of the closest votes in history, Marion edged out his teammate, slugging outfielder Stan Musial, by just one vote to win the NL MVP.

The October Standard: Marion followed his MVP regular season by leading the Cardinals to a World Series championship over their cross-town rivals, the St. Louis Browns.

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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card

Tracking the current market value for the 1948 Leaf Marty Marion Card #97. Below, find updated pricing data for ungraded (raw) copies, as well as verified PSA graded sales trends collected from secondary marketplaces.

Raw/Ungraded: $20
Grade 1: -
Grade 2: $50
Grade 3: $80
Grade 4: $85
Grade 5: $140
Grade 6: $500
Grade 7: -
Grade 8: $500
Grade 9: -

Data Updated: July 2026

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Pricing data includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
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