1954 Topps #226 Jehosie Heard
1954 Topps #226 Jehosie Heard
About Jehosie Heard
A diminutive (5-foot-7) left-handed pitcher out of Birmingham, Alabama, Jehosie "Jay" Heard broke into pro ball with the Negro leagues' Birmingham Black Barons in the mid-1940s after Army service in World War II, later pitching for the Memphis Red Sox and Houston/New Orleans Eagles. His standout 1951 Eagles season (a 16-5 record with a league-leading 149 strikeouts, plus a .396 average at the plate) earned an All-Star nod and the nickname "Sunday pitcher" for his knack for winning weekend starts. He jumped to organized ball in 1952, winning 20 games in the Western International League, then 16 for the PCL's Portland Beavers. Baltimore bought his contract for $20,000, and on April 24, 1954 he became the first African American to play for the Baltimore Orioles, debuting in relief at Comiskey Park. He appeared in just two big-league games (0-0, 13.50 ERA, 2 strikeouts) before being optioned back to the minors, making this Series 3 rookie card his only major-issue Topps card. Heard died in 1999; his quiet role integrating the Orioles remains his lasting legacy.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 549 | 1 | 28 | 126 | 149 | 132 | 67 | 46 | 0 |
| SGC | 57 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1954 Topps Jehosie Heard card?
It is card #226 of 250 in the 1954 Topps set, issued at the peak of the Topps-Bowman 'Card Wars'. It pictures the Baltimore Orioles player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1954 Topps Jehosie Heard 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 2026-07-01.