1952 Topps #382 Sam Jones
About Sam Jones
Samuel "Toothpick" Jones (December 14, 1925, Stewartsville, Ohio - November 5, 1971) was a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who broke in with the Negro-league Cleveland Buckeyes before signing with the Cleveland Indians, debuting in 1951. Over 12 major-league seasons he also pitched for the Cubs, Cardinals, Giants, Tigers and Orioles, going 102-101 with a 3.59 ERA and 1,376 strikeouts. On May 12, 1955, at Wrigley Field, he no-hit the Pirates 4-0 - becoming the first African American to throw a big-league no-hitter - loading the bases on walks in the ninth, then fanning Dick Groat, Roberto Clemente and Frank Thomas in a row. He led the NL in strikeouts three times (1955, 1956, 1958), made the All-Star team in 1955 and 1959, and in 1959 topped the league in ERA (2.83) and tied for the win lead (21). Nicknamed for the toothpick he kept in his mouth on the mound, Jones died of cancer at 45. This rookie card sits in the coveted, scarce high-number series (#311-407), boosting its collector value.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number
Series 6 (311-407). Minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 when retailers cut orders — the scarcest and most coveted run in the set, holding Mantle, Robinson, Campanella, the Mathews rookie and more.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 530 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 67 | 92 | 97 | 231 | 6 |
| SGC | 104 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 21 | 59 | 3 |
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 Jones card?
It is card #382 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player, and is his rookie card.
Why is this card scarce?
It is in the 1952 Topps high-number series (311-407), which was minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 and is the scarcest, most sought-after run in the set.
Is the 1952 Topps Sam Jones 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.