1952 Topps #54 Leo Kiely
1952 Topps #54 Leo Kiely
About Leo Kiely
A left-handed pitcher out of Hoboken, New Jersey, Leo Patrick Kiely (1929-1984) was signed by Boston Red Sox scout Bill McCarren in 1948 and reached the majors on June 27, 1951. His career was interrupted by Korean War service in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, during which he pitched for the Mainichi Orions in Japan, going 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA and becoming one of the first American major leaguers to play there. Over parts of nine big-league seasons (1951-1959) with the Red Sox, plus a final 1960 split between Cleveland and the Kansas City Athletics, the control artist and ground-ball sinkerballer went 26-27 with a 3.37 ERA, 29 saves, and 212 strikeouts across 209 games and 523 innings. Kiely's signature feat came in the minors: for the 1957 Pacific Coast League San Francisco Seals he posted a stunning 21-6 record with a 2.22 ERA, winning 20 of those games in relief -- including 14 straight relief victories -- to set two PCL records rarely approached in high-minors history. Nicknamed "Blackie," he was also called "Black Cat" for the toy black cat he famously carried to the bullpen. This card is a low-number (#54, first-series) issue and, like all early 1952 Topps cards, exists with either a black or red printed back.
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 | 981 | 0 | 6 | 91 | 149 | 235 | 219 | 276 | 5 |
| SGC | 145 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 14 | 34 | 78 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 85 · Red Back 60
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 Leo Kiely card?
It is card #54 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Boston Red Sox player.
Does the 1952 Topps Leo Kiely 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 Leo Kiely 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.