1952 Topps #370 Billy Hoeft
1952 Topps #370 Billy Hoeft
About Billy Hoeft
A hard-throwing left-hander from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Billy Hoeft (May 17, 1932 – March 16, 2010) signed with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1950, notably declining a bonus because he reasoned that "bonus baby" status would stunt his development. He debuted on April 18, 1952 and pitched 15 major-league seasons, spending 1952–1959 with Detroit before stops with the Red Sox, Orioles, Giants, Braves, and Cubs. Hoeft's peak came in the mid-1950s: in 1955 he went 16–7 with a 2.99 ERA and led the majors with seven shutouts, earning his lone All-Star selection, and in 1956 he became a 20-game winner (20–14) after adding a sinker as a third pitch, though arm trouble followed. Over 505 games he finished 97–101 with a 3.94 ERA and 1,140 strikeouts. This is Hoeft's rookie card, and as one of the scarce high-number series cards (#311–407, printed in far smaller quantities and famously dumped), it is considerably harder to find today than the set's lower numbers.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number
Series 6 (311-407). Minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 when retailers cut orders — the scarcest and most coveted run in the set, holding Mantle, Robinson, Campanella, the Mathews rookie and more.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 467 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 57 | 97 | 80 | 204 | 3 |
| SGC | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 68 | 2 |
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 Hoeft card?
It is card #370 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Detroit Tigers player, and is his rookie card.
Why is this card scarce?
It is in the 1952 Topps high-number series (311-407), which was minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 and is the scarcest, most sought-after run in the set.
Is the 1952 Topps Billy Hoeft 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.