1952 Topps #36 Gil Hodges
About Gil Hodges
Gil Hodges signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers after leaving Saint Joseph's College in Indiana and debuted at 19 in 1943, then served in the Marine Corps in World War II—earning a Bronze Star as an anti-aircraft gunner at Tinian and Okinawa—before returning to anchor first base. Over 18 seasons with the Dodgers (1943, 1947–1961) and the expansion New York Mets (1962–1963), the right-handed slugger hit .273 with 370 home runs and 1,274 RBI, made eight All-Star teams (1949–1955, 1957), and won the first three Gold Gloves ever awarded at his position (1957–1959). On August 31, 1950, he became just the fourth big leaguer to hit four home runs in a nine-inning game, driving in nine at Ebbets Field. He won World Series titles as a player in 1955 and 1959, keying the Dodgers' first championship with RBIs in the 1955 Game 7 shutout of the Yankees. The card belongs to the same season as his infamous 1952 World Series, when he went 0-for-21—prompting a Brooklyn priest to tell his flock to "say a prayer for Gil Hodges." He later managed the "Miracle Mets" to the stunning 1969 title and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2022, 50 years after his 1972 death.
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 | 1,599 | 0 | 8 | 56 | 98 | 245 | 315 | 866 | 11 |
| SGC | 669 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 33 | 91 | 496 | 31 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 325 · Red Back 344
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 Gil Hodges card?
It is card #36 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Brooklyn Dodgers player.
Does the 1952 Topps Gil Hodges 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 Gil Hodges 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.