Card Statistics
Marty Marion is presented in Helmar’s T4 series with the St. Louis Nationals in the middle of a forceful throw across the diamond, his right arm drawn high behind his head and his glove arm extended outward for balance. The cream Cardinals uniform, red piping, red-striped stockings, and dark cap create a particularly strong St. Louis identity, while the wide stance and twisting torso give the figure a pronounced sense of movement. Marion’s rear foot digs into the dirt as he transfers his weight forward, capturing the quick, athletic mechanics of an infielder making a hard throw to first base. The pose is especially appropriate for a player whose reputation rested so heavily on defense.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She models the cream uniform with layered washes of pale ochre, gray, muted green, and soft brown, using deeper shadows through the shirt and trousers to emphasize the rotation of Marion’s body. The red piping and striped stockings provide the strongest color accents, while the brown glove and dark shoes anchor the composition at either side. The baseball, held high against the darker upper background, becomes a small but important focal point. Behind Marion, the green field and densely patterned grandstand are treated more broadly, with muted blues, browns, and grays giving the stadium depth without competing with the sharply rendered player.
Martin Whiteford “Marty” Marion became one of the outstanding defensive shortstops of the 1940s and was a central figure on the powerful St. Louis Cardinals teams of that decade. Nicknamed “Slats” for his tall, slender build, Marion was admired for his exceptional range, quick hands, strong throwing arm, and ability to make difficult plays appear routine. Although never known primarily as a hitter, his defensive value at one of the game’s most demanding positions made him indispensable to the Cardinals.
Marion was selected to eight consecutive All-Star teams from 1943 through 1950 and won the 1944 National League Most Valuable Player Award, an unusual distinction for a shortstop whose greatest contribution came in the field. He helped St. Louis win National League pennants in 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1946, with World Series championships in 1942, 1944, and 1946. His defensive excellence helped establish the standard for the modern major-league shortstop, and during his prime he was widely regarded as one of the finest fielders in baseball.
Numbered #20, the Marion card emphasizes exactly the aspect of his game for which he was most celebrated. Helmar’s official T4 checklist identifies the pose as “Throwing to first,” and the high throwing arm, extended glove, wide stance, and disturbed infield dirt give card #20 one of the series’ strongest defensive-action compositions. Marion’s 1944 National League MVP Award, eight consecutive All-Star selections, three World Series championships, and reputation as one of his era’s premier defensive shortstops give the card substantial historical and collector appeal.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: Throwing to first
- Team: St. Louis Cardinals
- Population (# Sold): 16
- First Date Sold: 2022-07-26
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-09-01
- Card Status: Active
- # Sold in past year: 5
- Highest Auction: $ 52.35
- Average Auction Result: $ 17.05
Popularity Rankings
Visit these teammates on the St. Louis Cardinals in the Helmar T4 series
Click the Card # link to go to Card Info, Click the Player Name link to go the the Player Biography
