1952 Topps #387 Billy Meyer
1952 Topps #387 Billy Meyer
About Billy Meyer
Billy Meyer (William Adam Meyer), born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1893, was a light-hitting catcher who reached the majors in 1913, appearing in roughly 113 games across parts of three seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1913) and Philadelphia Athletics (1916-1917) and batting .236 with 1 home run and 21 RBI. His lasting reputation, however, was made in the dugout. From 1926 through 1947 Meyer became one of the most respected managers in the minor leagues, winning multiple pennants at stops such as Louisville, Binghamton, Newark and Kansas City, and earning a name as a shrewd developer of young talent in the Yankees farm system. He took over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948 and was named The Sporting News Major League Manager of the Year that season for pushing an undermanned club into pennant contention into late September. Meyer managed Pittsburgh through the 1952 season, finishing 317-452 (.412) before ill health ended his tenure. He is featured here on card #387, part of the scarce 1952 Topps high-number series (#311-407) that was printed in far smaller quantities, making these cards prized rarities today. The Pirates honored Meyer by retiring his uniform No. 1, and Knoxville named its ballpark Bill Meyer Stadium in his memory after his death in 1957.
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 | 502 | 1 | 5 | 48 | 51 | 89 | 101 | 205 | 2 |
| SGC | 113 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 14 | 74 | 3 |
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 Meyer card?
It is card #387 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Pittsburgh Pirates manager.
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 Meyer 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.