1953 Topps #6 Sam Jones
1953 Topps #6 Sam Jones
About Sam Jones
Samuel "Toothpick" Jones (1925-1971), a hard-throwing 6-foot-4 right-hander from Stewartsville, Ohio, broke into pro ball in the Negro leagues with the Cleveland Buckeyes before the Cleveland Indians signed him in the fall of 1949; his 1953 Topps card captures him during his brief first Cleveland stint (1951-52). Nicknamed "Toothpick" for his habit of chewing one on the mound, Jones pitched 12 major-league seasons (1951-1964) for the Indians, Cubs, Cardinals, Giants, Tigers and Orioles, finishing 102-101 with a 3.59 ERA and 1,376 strikeouts. Armed with what Stan Musial called the best curveball he ever saw, Jones led the National League in strikeouts three times (1955, 1956, 1958) and made two All-Star teams. On May 12, 1955, he no-hit the Pirates 4-0 at Wrigley Field, becoming the first African American pitcher to throw a big-league no-hitter, famously walking the bases loaded in the ninth before striking out Groat, Clemente and Thomas. His finest year came in 1959 with the Giants, leading the NL in both wins (21) and ERA (2.83).
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 531 | 2 | 12 | 81 | 109 | 127 | 102 | 98 | 0 |
| SGC | 65 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 26 | 1 |
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 Sam Jones card?
It is card #6 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 Cleveland Indians player.
Is the 1953 Topps Sam Jones 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.