1954 Topps #242 Curt Roberts
About Curt Roberts
Curtis Benjamin Roberts holds a landmark place in franchise history: Major League Baseball recognizes him as the first Black player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, integrating the club when he took the field at second base on April 13, 1954. Born in Pineland, Texas, Roberts started in the Negro Leagues as a teenager with the Kansas City Monarchs (1947-1950), alongside Satchel Paige and Buck O'Neil, then signed with the Boston Braves before the Pirates purchased his contract for $10,000 in 1952. A slick fielder converted from shortstop to second base, he tripled in his first major-league at-bat off Robin Roberts and anchored the Pirates' keystone through his 1954 rookie season. Over three seasons (1954-1956) he batted .223 with 128 hits, 1 home run, and 40 RBI in 171 games before losing his job to Bill Mazeroski. His deepest legacy was as a trailblazer: he mentored a young Roberto Clemente on enduring the racial abuse of the era. This is Roberts' rookie card. He died in 1969 at age 40, struck by a car while changing a flat tire.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 475 | 0 | 8 | 104 | 132 | 126 | 54 | 50 | 1 |
| SGC | 59 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 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 Curt Roberts card?
It is card #242 of 250 in the 1954 Topps set, issued at the peak of the Topps-Bowman 'Card Wars'. It pictures the Pittsburgh Pirates player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1954 Topps Curt Roberts 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.