1954 Topps #81 Dave Hoskins
About Dave Hoskins
A right-handed pitcher (and left-handed hitter) born August 3, 1917, in Greenwood, Mississippi, Dave Hoskins broke into pro ball in the Negro Leagues in 1942, starring for the Homestead Grays' "Murderers' Row" and other clubs before earning a 1949 Negro League All-Star nod. In 1952 he became the first Black player in the 57-year history of the Double-A Texas League, signed by Dallas Eagles owner Dick Burnett. Despite death threats, he went 22-10 with a 2.12 ERA, led the league in wins, and hit .328 — such a gate attraction that sportswriters dubbed him the "Savior of the Texas League." Cleveland promoted him in 1953, and over two big-league seasons (1953-54) with the Indians he went 9-4 with a 3.81 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 40 games. This is his rookie card, and it carries a well-known error: the back lists his birth year as 1925 when he was actually born in 1917. He died in Flint, Michigan, on April 2, 1970.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 511 | 2 | 9 | 85 | 149 | 119 | 86 | 61 | 0 |
| SGC | 70 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 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 Dave Hoskins card?
It is card #81 of 250 in the 1954 Topps set, issued at the peak of the Topps-Bowman 'Card Wars'. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1954 Topps Dave Hoskins 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.