1952 Topps #23 Billy Goodman
1952 Topps #23 Billy Goodman
About Billy Goodman
William Dale "Billy" Goodman was signed off the North Carolina sandlots by the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association in December 1943 and, after batting .389 at Atlanta in 1946, was sold to the Boston Red Sox, debuting in the majors on April 19, 1947. A left-handed hitter renowned for his versatility, Goodman played 16 seasons (1947-1962) for the Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Houston Colt .45s, manning every position except pitcher and catcher. His signature season came in 1950: without a regular spot, he shuttled among first, second, third, short, and left field yet led the American League with a .354 average, becoming the only true utility man ever to win a batting title and finishing MVP runner-up to Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto. A two-time All-Star (1949 and 1953, when he started at second base), Goodman retired with a .300 lifetime average, 1,691 hits, and 591 RBI over 1,623 games. He died of multiple myeloma on October 1, 1984, and was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2004. This common Series 1 card is found with either a red or black back, a documented back-color variation for #23.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
Black Back / Red Back Series 1 (cards 1-80)
Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
- Black Back — scarcer: First printing. Reverse printed in black ink. Scarcer, and typically carries a small premium over the red back.
- Red Back: Second printing onward. Reverse printed in red ink. The more common of the two.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 957 | 0 | 4 | 66 | 138 | 210 | 219 | 315 | 5 |
| SGC | 129 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 32 | 74 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 65 · Red Back 64
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Billy Goodman card?
It is card #23 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Boston Red Sox player.
Does the 1952 Topps Billy Goodman have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
Is the 1952 Topps Billy Goodman valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.