1953 Topps #189 Ray Jablonski
1953 Topps #189 Ray Jablonski
About Ray Jablonski
A right-handed-hitting third baseman from Chicago, Ray Jablonski signed into the Boston Red Sox organization in 1947 after Army service in postwar Paris, and the St. Louis Cardinals claimed him in the November 1948 minor-league draft. He tore through the minors, capturing the 1951 Carolina League triple crown at Winston-Salem (.363, 28 HR, 127 RBI). Reaching St. Louis in 1953, "Jabbo" (also "Jolting Jabbo," a play on his surname) started all 157 games at third base and posted a sensational rookie year, batting .268 with 21 home runs — a Cardinals rookie record that stood until Albert Pujols in 2001 — and 112 RBI, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. He was named the NL's starting third baseman at the 1954 All-Star Game and drove in 104 runs that season. A feared bat but a shaky glove (he led the league with 34 errors at third in 1954), Jablonski played eight big-league seasons for the Cardinals, Cincinnati Redlegs, Giants, Cubs and Kansas City Athletics, finishing with a .268 average, 83 home runs and 438 RBI. This 1953 Topps card (#189) is his rookie card. He died in 1985 at age 58.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 435 | 0 | 8 | 55 | 95 | 126 | 86 | 65 | 0 |
| SGC | 54 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 0 |
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 Ray Jablonski card?
It is card #189 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 St. Louis Cardinals player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1953 Topps Ray Jablonski 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.