1954 Topps #165 Jim Pendleton
About Jim Pendleton
A right-handed outfielder and infielder, Jim Pendleton broke into pro ball in the Negro leagues, playing shortstop for the Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League in 1948 before the Brooklyn Dodgers organization signed him. Sent to the St. Paul Saints in 1949, he was reportedly the only Black player in the American Association at the time. After a four-team offseason trade, he reached the majors on April 17, 1953, with the Milwaukee Braves at age 29. His signature moment came that rookie year: on August 30, 1953, he hit three home runs in one game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, becoming just the second rookie in MLB history to do so, joining Braves teammate Eddie Mathews, who had accomplished the feat a year earlier. Pendleton batted .299 as a part-timer that season. He played eight big-league seasons (1953-1962) for the Braves, Pirates, Reds, and Houston Colt .45s, finishing with a career average near .255-.259, roughly 20 home runs, and about 100 RBI over 444 games. Fittingly for this error card, whose back misstates his birthday, Pendleton was born January 7, 1924, in St. Charles, Missouri; he died in Houston in 1996.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 429 | 0 | 8 | 74 | 106 | 125 | 72 | 44 | 0 |
| SGC | 48 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Milwaukee Braves cards
- Del Crandall
- Warren Spahn
- Eddie Mathews
- Jack Dittmer
- Gene Conley
- Sammy Calderone
- Andy Pafko
- Bill Bruton
- Johnny Logan
- Hank Aaron
- Joe Jay
- Bob Keely
- Mel Roach
- Dave Jolly
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1954 Topps Jim Pendleton card?
It is card #165 of 250 in the 1954 Topps set, issued at the peak of the Topps-Bowman 'Card Wars'. It pictures the Milwaukee Braves player.
Is the 1954 Topps Jim Pendleton 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.