1952 Topps #17 Jim Hegan
About Jim Hegan
James Edward Hegan was a right-handed catcher signed by the Cleveland Indians at age 17 in 1938 out of Lynn English High School in his native Lynn, Massachusetts, the son of Irish immigrant parents. After four minor-league seasons, he debuted in September 1941 and spent 17 major-league campaigns (1941-42, 1946-60), the bulk of them in Cleveland before brief closing stints with the Tigers, Phillies, Giants, and Cubs. A five-time All-Star (1947, 1949-1952), Hegan was celebrated far more for his defense and game-calling than his bat, posting a .990 career fielding percentage and catching three no-hitters, thrown by Don Black (1947), Bob Lemon (1948), and Bob Feller (1951). He handled the Indians' dominant staffs and was the regular catcher on Cleveland's 1948 World Series champions, a season in which he set career highs with 14 home runs and 61 RBI; he also caught for the 1954 pennant winners. A light hitter, he finished at .228 with 1,087 hits, 92 home runs, and 525 RBI over 1,666 games, and was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 1966. His #17 is a Series 1 card in this landmark first Topps flagship set and comes with the black-back and red-back printing variations found on the earliest 1952 cards.
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 | 846 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 128 | 189 | 182 | 294 | 3 |
| SGC | 109 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 33 | 58 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 56 · Red Back 53
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted. Totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Jim Hegan card?
It is card #17 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player.
Does the 1952 Topps Jim Hegan 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 Jim Hegan 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 2026-10-05.