1953 Topps #15 Bobo Newsom
1953 Topps #15 Bobo Newsom
About Bobo Newsom
Louis Norman "Bobo" Newsom broke into pro ball with the Raleigh Capitals of the Class C Piedmont League in 1928 and reached the majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers on September 11, 1929. A durable right-handed pitcher, he spent all or parts of 20 seasons (1929-1953) bouncing among nine of the era's 16 clubs, including five separate stints with the Washington Senators — few players were ever traded so often. A four-time American League All-Star (1938-1940 and 1944), he won 20 games in both 1938 and 1939 for the St. Louis Browns, then enjoyed his best year in 1940 with the Detroit Tigers, going 21-5 with a 2.83 ERA. That fall he pitched valiantly in the World Series: after his father died following Game One, Newsom threw an 8-0 three-hit shutout in Game Five before losing the deciding Game Seven. He earned the nickname "Bobo" because he could rarely remember anyone's name and simply called everyone — himself included — "Bobo." He finished 211-222 with a 3.98 ERA and 2,082 strikeouts, making him one of only two pitchers to win 200 games yet post a losing record. He is not in the Hall of Fame. Card #15 is his 1953 Topps issue, listing him with the Philadelphia Athletics, one of his late-career stops.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Designations, variations & errors
Double Print
Marked DP. Roughly 50% more of these cards were printed than their neighbors (the hobby calls it 'double-printed'), so they are the most plentiful cards in the set. TCDB flags 103 of them, concentrated in the low series. Five cards normally in the low run - #94, #107, #131, #145 and #156 - were also printed on the more-plentiful #166-220 sheet. A print-quantity designation, not an error or a separate card.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 579 | 0 | 5 | 73 | 126 | 177 | 104 | 94 | 0 |
| SGC | 69 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 17 | 22 | 3 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1953 Topps Bobo Newsom card?
It is card #15 of the 1953 Topps Baseball set - one of the most beautiful sets ever made, with hand-painted color portraits numbered to 280 (274 cards issued). It pictures the Philadelphia Athletics player, and is his rookie card.
What does 'double print' mean for this card?
Roughly 50% more of these cards were printed than their neighbors, so double prints (DP) are the most plentiful cards in the set. It is a print-quantity note, not an error or a separate card.
Is the 1953 Topps Bobo Newsom valuable?
Value depends on grade and eye appeal. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.