1953 Topps #216 Jim Hughes
1953 Topps #216 Jim Hughes
About Jim Hughes
A hard-throwing right-handed relief pitcher, Jim Hughes (born March 21, 1923, in Chicago; died there August 13, 2001) served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific during World War II before turning pro in 1946. He climbed the Brooklyn Dodgers' system, starring for Triple-A Montreal, and reached the majors on September 13, 1952, at age 29 — his 1953 Topps card (#216) is his rookie card. Across six seasons with Brooklyn (1952-1956), the Chicago Cubs (1956), and the Chicago White Sox (1957), he worked 172 games, all but one in relief, going 15-13 with a 3.83 ERA, 39 saves, and 165 strikeouts. His signature year came in 1954, when he led the National League with 24 saves and tied for the league lead with 60 appearances (an 8-4, 3.22-ERA campaign), breaking the Dodgers' franchise save record. A classic bullpen "fireman" of the era, he belonged to four pennant winners (1952, 1953, 1955, 1956) but pitched in just one World Series: in Game 1 of the 1953 Fall Classic against the Yankees he relieved Carl Erskine and held the line over four innings, allowing only a home run to Yogi Berra while striking out three.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 521 | 0 | 3 | 45 | 111 | 153 | 121 | 87 | 1 |
| SGC | 69 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 22 | 2 |
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 Jim Hughes card?
It is card #216 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 Brooklyn Dodgers player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1953 Topps Jim Hughes 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.