1952 Topps #281 Tommy Brown
1952 Topps #281 Tommy Brown
About Tommy Brown
Thomas Michael "Buckshot" Brown (1927-2025) was a Brooklyn-born infielder discovered at a 1943 Dodgers open tryout, where he reportedly showed up without a glove or spikes. After a season in the minors (he hit .297 at Class B Newport News), the wartime manpower shortage rushed him to the majors, and on August 3, 1944 he debuted at shortstop for Brooklyn at just 16 years and 7 months old, becoming the youngest position player in MLB history and the second-youngest player of any kind after Joe Nuxhall. On August 20, 1945, at 17 years, 257 days, he became the youngest player ever to hit a home run, a record that still stands. Manager Leo Durocher hung the nickname "Buckshot" on him for his scattershot throwing arm. Brown played nine National League seasons with the Dodgers (1944-45, 1947-51), Phillies and Cubs, and a June 1951 trade to Philadelphia is what places him on this Phillies card; he appeared in 78 games for the Phillies as a utility man. For his career he batted .241 with 309 hits, 31 home runs and 159 RBI over 494 games. This #281 is a scarcer short print within the 1952 Topps set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
Short Print
Cards 281-300 were single-printed relative to the rest of series 5 — EXCEPT #289 Holmes, #295 Cavarretta and #296 Rolfe. 17 SP cards in all.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 572 | 1 | 10 | 55 | 85 | 149 | 123 | 145 | 4 |
| SGC | 75 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 14 | 36 | 2 |
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 Tommy Brown card?
It is card #281 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Philadelphia Phillies player.
Is the 1952 Topps Tommy Brown 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.