1955 Topps #97 Carlos Paula
1955 Topps #97 Carlos Paula
About Carlos Paula
Carlos Paula Conill (1927-1983) holds a permanent place in baseball history: on September 6, 1954, the 6-foot-3 Cuban outfielder became the first Black player to appear for the Washington Senators, making them the 12th of the original 16 major-league clubs to integrate. Born in Havana, Paula was signed for Washington by legendary scout Joe Cambria after starring on barnstorming tours with the Havana Cuban Stars, then climbed through Decatur, Paris, and Charlotte in the minors. A right-handed hitter and outfielder who played mostly left field, he spent three big-league seasons (1954-1956), all with the Senators. His finest year came in 1955, when he batted .299 over 115 games and earned a spot on The Sporting News' All-Rookie team. Over 157 major-league games he hit .271 with 9 home runs and 60 RBI. Known as "Charlie" in early reports, Paula was dogged by shaky fielding and never regained his footing after 1956, but he remains honored as a genuine integration pioneer. This 1955 Topps card (#97) is his rookie card.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 776 | 1 | 18 | 172 | 217 | 204 | 99 | 62 | 3 |
| SGC | 76 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 1 |
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 1955 Topps Carlos Paula card?
It is card #97 of 206 in the 1955 Topps set - Topps' first fully horizontal design. It pictures the Washington Senators player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1955 Topps Carlos Paula valuable?
Value depends on grade. 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.