1952 Topps #196 Solly Hemus
1952 Topps #196 Solly Hemus
About Solly Hemus
Solomon Joseph "Solly" Hemus (April 17, 1923–October 2, 2017) was a scrappy, left-handed-hitting infielder who signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 1945 after being released by the Brooklyn Dodgers, then hit .363 at Class-C Pocatello in 1946 on his way to the majors. He debuted with the Cardinals in 1949 and played 11 seasons (1949–1959), splitting time between St. Louis and the Philadelphia Phillies (1956–1958) while manning primarily shortstop and second base. A pesky top-of-the-order presence, he batted .273 with 736 hits, 51 home runs, and 263 RBI, and made his living getting on base — he drew 96 walks, scored a league-best 105 runs, and posted a .392 on-base percentage in his standout 1952 campaign, and led the National League in being hit by pitches three times (1952, 1953, 1958). Despite his 5-foot-9 frame he earned the nickname "Mighty Mouse" from St. Louis writer Bob Broeg during his strong 1951 season. After a flattering letter to owner Gussie Busch, Hemus returned to St. Louis as player-manager in 1959 — the last player-manager in franchise history — and managed the club into 1961, going 190–192. This 1952 Topps card, from the fourth series, is Hemus's rookie card.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 601 | 1 | 13 | 50 | 97 | 165 | 104 | 167 | 4 |
| SGC | 91 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 26 | 42 | 1 |
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 Solly Hemus card?
It is card #196 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the St. Louis Cardinals player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1952 Topps Solly Hemus 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.