1952 Topps #289 Tommy Holmes
1952 Topps #289 Tommy Holmes
About Tommy Holmes
A Brooklyn-born outfielder signed off the sandlots by Yankees scout Paul Krichell, Tommy Holmes couldn't crack New York's crowded outfield and was traded to the Boston Braves in December 1941, reaching the majors in 1942. A left-handed hitting right fielder, he starred for the Braves for a decade, batting .302 lifetime with 1,507 hits, 88 home runs and 581 RBI over 11 seasons. His signature 1945 campaign was one of the greatest in franchise history: he led the National League in hits (224), home runs (28) and doubles (47) while striking out only nine times, and set a modern NL-record 37-game hitting streak (June 6–July 8) that stood until Pete Rose broke it in 1978. He hit .352 that year but lost the batting title on the season's final day to the Cubs' Phil Cavarretta (.355) and finished second in MVP voting. A two-time All-Star (1945, 1948), Holmes was nicknamed the "Pride of the Jury Box" for the devoted fans in the small right-field bleachers at Braves Field. He served as player-manager of the Braves from mid-1951 into 1952 before finishing that season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, appearing in the 1952 World Series. This card, #289, comes from the fifth series and captures Holmes in his managerial role; it precedes the scarce, coveted high-number series (#311–407) that includes the famous Mickey Mantle. Holmes was later inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 522 | 0 | 8 | 48 | 79 | 91 | 131 | 161 | 4 |
| SGC | 88 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 53 | 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 Tommy Holmes card?
It is card #289 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Boston Braves manager.
Is the 1952 Topps Tommy Holmes 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.