Interestingly, this youthful image of Johnny Sain was produced around his 35th birthday, only two years from retirement. By 1953, Johnny Sain had spent eight years in the big league pitching for the Boston Braves and the New York Yankees. Though he lost three seasons to World War II, Johnny had still amassed a 117-98 record with 130 complete games in only 299 starts. It’s no wonder the Yankees would trade their would-be All-Star rookie pitcher, Lew Burdette, for the seasoned veteran in 1950. He helped lead the Bronx Bombers to three consecutive World Series titles (1951-53) and after transitioning to closer in 1954, he led the AL in saves. Offered here is a spectacular 1953 Topps #119 Johnny Sain holdered 9 MINT from PSA. To say this issue is a work of art would be redundant considering the 1953s offered in this auction, but it is hard to find a flaw in this beauty. Presenting virtually spot-on centering, fantastic colors and imagery, super sharp borders, edging and corners, and a surface off which you could eat, it is hard to understand how this did not get a 10. We can only speculate that the condition-sensitive upper edge and corners on the back are to blame. This is the very definition of pack-fresh, as it is the highest graded in the hobby with only a handful of equals.