1952 Topps #9 Bobby Hogue
1952 Topps #9 Bobby Hogue
About Bobby Hogue
Robert Clinton "Bobby" Hogue was a stocky right-handed relief pitcher born April 5, 1921, in Miami, Florida. Signed off a Miami sandlot in 1940 with encouragement from former big-league outfielder Max Carey, he worked through Detroit's farm system at Winston-Salem before World War II military service cost him the 1943-1945 seasons. Hogue reached the majors in 1948 as a 27-year-old rookie with the Boston Braves and enjoyed his finest year, going 8-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 40 games as bullpen help for the pennant-winning "Spahn and Sain" club, though he did not appear in the 1948 World Series. Traded to the St. Louis Browns and then acquired by the New York Yankees in 1951, he pitched 2-2/3 scoreless innings across two appearances in the 1951 World Series, which the Yankees won over the New York Giants. Sportswriters dubbed him the "roly-poly right-hander," a nod to his 5-foot-10, 190-pound build; manager Billy Southworth once called him "hog fat." Over five seasons (1948-1952) with the Braves, Browns, and Yankees he went 18-16 with a 3.97 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 172 games. This 1952 Topps card, which pictures him as a Yankee, is a first-series issue found with both black-back and red-back printing variations.
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 | 713 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 76 | 135 | 172 | 296 | 9 |
| SGC | 135 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 97 | 3 |
SGC by variation: (Authentic) 1 · Black Back 65 · Red Back 69
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 Hogue card?
It is card #9 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the New York Yankees player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Bobby Hogue 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 Bobby Hogue 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.