Gene Woodling broke in with Cleveland in 1943, served two years with the U.S. Navy and came back to the Indians in 1946 before being dealt into the Pirates system.  His contract was the sold to the San Francisco Seals of the PCL where manage Lefty O'Doul got him on the right track at the plate.  Incoming Yankees manager Casey Stengel, who was managing the Oaks in Oakland across the bay took notice and advised the Yankees to bring him aboard.  Woodling was a key contributor to the juggernaut 1949-53 Bronx Bombers and won five straight World Series rings. The Yankees traded him after the 1954 season and he bounced a round a bit after that, although his bat remained potent.  He ended his career in 1962 with the Mets.

His 1952 Topps card has an explosion of canary yellow and this one has some softening corners and some old gum remnants running up the left side but remains vibrant. The autograph, a wonderful PSA/DNA 9 is neatly written in blue ballpoint.