1954 Topps #138 Bob Borkowski
About Bob Borkowski
A right-handed outfielder from Dayton, Ohio, Bob Borkowski (1926-2017) signed with the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher in 1946 after Cubs scout Joe Kernan spotted him during his U.S. Navy service in Hawaii. He went 18-9 in his first pro season but hit .384, prompting a switch to the outfield; in 1949 he led the Double-A Southern Association with a .376 average for the Nashville Vols to earn his promotion. Borkowski reached the majors with the Cubs in 1950, batting .273 with four homers as a rookie, then spent the bulk of his career with the Cincinnati Redlegs (1952-1955) before a brief 1955 stint with the Brooklyn Dodgers. A speedy defender who played all three outfield spots, he hit .251 with 294 hits, 16 home runs, and 112 RBI over 470 games and six seasons. He was nicknamed "Bush," a moniker that grew from neighbors mispronouncing his surname. This card pictures him as a Cincinnati Redleg, the National League club's name during the 1950s.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 511 | 1 | 8 | 96 | 176 | 112 | 70 | 48 | 0 |
| SGC | 53 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted. Totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1954 Topps Bob Borkowski card?
It is card #138 of 250 in the 1954 Topps set, issued at the peak of the Topps-Bowman 'Card Wars'. It pictures the Cincinnati Redlegs player.
Is the 1954 Topps Bob Borkowski 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: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-05.