1952 Topps #27 Sam Jethroe
About Sam Jethroe
Sam Jethroe was a switch-hitting center fielder whose blazing speed made him one of the era's most electrifying players. Born in 1917 in Lowndes County, Mississippi, he broke in with the Negro Leagues' Indianapolis Clowns in 1938 and starred for the Cleveland Buckeyes from 1942, winning batting titles (a league-best .393 in 1945), earning four East-West All-Star selections, and helping Cleveland sweep the Homestead Grays for the 1945 Negro World Series title. In April 1945 he was one of three Black players—alongside Jackie Robinson and Marvin Williams—given a token tryout by the Red Sox at Fenway Park; none were signed. Branch Rickey's Dodgers acquired him and sent him to Montreal, then sold his contract to the Boston Braves. On April 18, 1950, Jethroe became the first Black player for the Braves and went on to win the 1950 NL Rookie of the Year Award—at 33, still the oldest player ever to win it—leading the National League in stolen bases in both 1950 and 1951 (35 each) while hitting 18 home runs each year. Nicknamed "The Jet" for his sprinter's quickness, he batted .261 with 49 home runs and 98 steals across four big-league seasons. This card is card #27 in the landmark 1952 Topps set—Topps' first flagship issue—and comes with the black-back and red-back variations found on the low-number series. Late in life Jethroe fought unsuccessfully in court for a major-league pension denied by his delayed start; he died in 2001.
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 | 957 | 0 | 6 | 70 | 133 | 214 | 219 | 310 | 5 |
| SGC | 168 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 40 | 107 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 91 · Red Back 77
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 Sam Jethroe card?
It is card #27 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Boston Braves player.
Does the 1952 Topps Sam Jethroe 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 Sam Jethroe 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.