Card Statistics
Pie Traynor is presented in Helmar’s T3 series with Pittsburgh in a composed batting pose, standing nearly square to the viewer with the bat held high across his shoulder. The cream Pirates uniform, blue cap with red “P,” sleeve insignia, and striped stockings give the figure a clear Pittsburgh identity. The stance is calm and balanced, emphasizing Traynor’s poise and control rather than the violence of a full swing.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She models the pale uniform with warm cream, ochre, gray, and muted blue washes, using deeper shadows through the torso and trousers to give the standing figure weight. The cap and sleeve mark provide compact blue accents, while the red striping in the stockings adds a stronger note of color lower in the composition. The softly painted green field and pale sky are intentionally subdued, keeping attention on Traynor’s figure and the long diagonal of the bat.
Harold Joseph “Pie” Traynor was one of the greatest third basemen of the first half of the twentieth century and spent his entire major-league playing career with Pittsburgh. He became the Pirates’ regular third baseman in the early 1920s and quickly earned a reputation for outstanding defense, strong throwing, and dependable hitting. Traynor was also an excellent run producer, driving in more than 100 runs in seven different seasons.
Traynor helped Pittsburgh win the 1925 World Series and returned to the Series with the Pirates in 1927. He finished his career with more than 2,400 hits and a .320 batting average, remarkable production for a player whose greatest reputation rested on his all-around play at third base. After his playing days, he also managed the Pirates for several seasons.
Numbered #189, the Traynor card adds one of Pittsburgh’s defining prewar stars to the T3 checklist. Its restrained batting pose and clean open-field setting give the image a classic portrait quality, while Traynor’s long Pirates career, championship success, and standing among the era’s finest third basemen give the subject substantial historical importance. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1948.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: End of posed swing
- Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
- Population (# Sold): 8
- First Date Sold: 2024-05-22
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-06-02
- Card Status: Active
- # Sold in past year: 3
- Highest Auction: $ 32.00
- Average Auction Result: $ 22.15
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Visit these teammates on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the T3-Helmar series
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