1952 Topps #257 Bobby Avila
1952 Topps #257 Bobby Avila
About Bobby Avila
A native of Veracruz, Mexico, Bobby Avila (born Roberto Avila Gonzalez, 1924-2004) reached the majors by way of the Mexican League, where he starred for the Puebla club and led the circuit with a .347 average in 1947 before Cleveland Indians scout Cy Slapnicka signed him for a $17,500 bonus. Debuting in 1949, the right-handed second baseman became Cleveland's regular in 1951 and manned the position through 1958, closing out his 11-season career with brief 1959 stops in Baltimore, Boston, and Milwaukee. Avila was a three-time All-Star (1952, 1954, 1955) and made history as the first Mexican-born player selected to an All-Star Game. His signature year came in 1954, when he won the American League batting title with a .341 average, was named The Sporting News AL Player of the Year, and helped the Indians to a record 111 wins and the pennant, though the club was swept by the New York Giants in the World Series (Avila managing just two hits in 15 at-bats). He retired with a .281 average, 1,296 hits, 80 home runs, and 467 RBI over 1,300 games. Known as "Beto" in his homeland, Avila later became president of the Mexican League, which was renamed in his honor, and served as mayor of Veracruz. This is a mid-series card, printed well before the scarce high-number run (#311-407) that includes the famous Mickey Mantle #311.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 587 | 1 | 5 | 46 | 69 | 126 | 147 | 188 | 5 |
| SGC | 73 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 19 | 36 | 0 |
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 Bobby Avila card?
It is card #257 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player.
Is the 1952 Topps Bobby Avila 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.